The holidays and moving house kept me from seeing your post until now. Interesting stuff! I knew smoothbores had seen service late in the war, but I didn't realize just how much. Could you give me the titles of those authors you cite?

Of course, getting "slightly wounded" doesn't have to come from enemy action. Lyon got kicked in the stomach by a horse, after all, and a reenactor in Missouri recently got his groin stepped on by his horse. Not sure how he managed that. Also, when large groups of men are charging over rough ground, it's quite easy for one or more of them to sprain an ankle and be put hors de combat for some time. I used to be on the cross country team and I remember this risk all too well. When you have an enemy formation shooting volleys at you, chances are you aren't looking where you're stepping! Add to this powder burns in the face or eyes, accidentally jabbing someone or yourself with your bayonet, cavalrymen getting hit by low branches, and any number of other embarrassing pratfalls, and one wonders why the statistics of "slightly wounded" aren't higher.

Sean McLachlan
civilwarhorror.blogspot.com