At Vicksburg, Edward Downs of the 20th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment and a noted sharpshooter, bought a Henry rifle from his own funds for $65 (equivalent to $1,700 in 2024) from a steamboat captain just prior to the Vicksburg battle ...

For an American Civil War soldier, owning a Henry rifle was a point of pride.[5] Just 1,731 of the standard rifles were purchased by the government during the war.[6] The Commonwealth of Kentucky purchased a further 50. However, 6,000 to 7,000 saw use by the Union on the field through private purchases by soldiers who could afford it. ... Many infantry soldiers purchased Henrys with their reenlistment bounties of 1864. Most of these units were associated with Sherman's Western troops.

That's a whole lotta free speech.

[–] InevitableSwing@hexbear.net 7 points 1 day ago

Another weak point for the Henry was that it could not be equipped with a bayonet.

How can you have any pudding if you don't bayonet the left?

[–] Jabril@hexbear.net 7 points 1 day ago

Also JP Morgan made his fortune selling weapons he knew were busted to the Union, I think a couple steam boats that sunk too if I remember

[–] Sickos@hexbear.net 11 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Didn't he offer to "debate" someone in a pit with broadswords?

[–] GrouchyGrouse@hexbear.net 11 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Kinda. If memory serves a guy challenged Lincoln to a duel which Lincoln didn’t really want to do but as the challenged it was his right to decide the weapons. Lincoln chose broadswords and beforehand told the dude that they didn’t have to go through with it. Lincoln then swung the sword around his head, lopping off a chunk of tree branch which was the height of Lincoln’s body + outstretched arm + broadsword. Apparently this shook the dude when he realized that sword fighting a guy with an extra foot of reach was a death sentence and they resolved. Young Abe psyched the dude out.