From my understanding from some relic hunters and artifacts dealers in Virginia there have been several of these types of bullets found on northern Virgnia early war battlefields.

I found the article interesting as one of the multitude of innovations of the War which spilled over into future wars such as WW I. Exploding bullets were eventually outlawed by the Geneva Convention as being inhuman. But during the American Civil War such things were not "outlawed" except by moral convictions. So how does one become offended by what was otherwise legal?

Personnally, I can not see how this type of bullet would cause any more "damage" than a .69 or .75 cal Smoothbore musket loaded with a round ball and 3 buckshot at close range, which both side were armed with. I may be wrong.

I also would wonder if anyone else had run across such a reference or maybe a photograph of these bullets. From the posts so far evidently they are little known.

I would also wonder why anyone would think that such a bullet was necessary given the nature of a wound created by the normal bullets as in the case of the "Buck and Ball" loads? Was it phycological Warfare? Or Could it have been distructivness, combined with accuracy and range?

Usually military ordnance, even a bullet, is developed with a specific purpose, or advantage, in mind. There have been many Military ordnance developements which looked good on paper, but didn't meet expectations and proven to be political "black eyes". Obviously, Mr. Kevin post displays a sensitivity to the "black eye" factor.

Obviously the only legitamate purpose of posting anything on this board or simular media is to engender commentary for educational purposes. History is what it is. It is neither good, nor evil, unless we make it so with our agendas. If we do not wish to bring up opposing viewpoints then we will never learn the true lessons of history and are therefore doomed to repeat it.

Maybe that answers Mr. Kevins question as to my "intentions". But, then again probably Not.