Would you house wounded Confederates this way?

[Milliron]

From the LOC: Keedysville, Md., vicinity. Confederate wounded at Smith's Barn, with Dr. Anson Hurd, 14th Indiana Volunteers, in attendance

I was scanning through this photo and realized I really had never seen a photo of shelter halves/rubber blankets pitched with bayoneted rifles. Of course we know they did it, but I sure couldn't find an example until now.

Apparently placing bayoneted muskets within reach of wounded Confederates didn't bother anybody too much. Fascinating photo.

If anyone else has a LOC photo of shelter tents pitched w/muskets, please post the URL.

[Jim Mayo]

Re: Would you house wounded Confederates this way?

It looks like the muskets are Enfields which were probably discarded in battle and available in abundance. These men look like they were receiving good care for the standards of the day. Nice picture.

[Michael Comer]

Re: Would you house wounded Confederates this way?

It also looks like those weapons are equipped with slings, some being used to stabilize the musket by being utilized in the same way as a tent rope would be.

[Suppelsa]

Re: Would you house wounded Confederates this way?

Apparently placing bayoneted muskets within reach of wounded Confederates didn't bother anybody too much.

I don't think it really matters, what is one of the wounded prisoners going to do? Pick up a weapon (which may very well be unloaded) fire, somehow escape the hospital and get back to his own lines?

Me thinks not.

[Dignann]

Re: Would you house wounded Confederates this way?

It looks like the muskets are Enfields...

And at least one Lorenz.

Eric