"Run some bullets and put by patches" - what does it mean?

[Gary of CA]

It's a statement by a Civil War soldier who is equipped with a target rifle. I understand running bullets or patched balls through your gun barrel, but is "run" being used in the same context? I also read elsewhere, "Run some bullets and put by patches."

Help the ignorant! Please.

[Soldier Jo]

Re: "Run some bullets and put by patches" - what does it mean?

Oh good, I am not the only one wondering about that!

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: "Run some bullets and put by patches" - what does it mean?

Hallo!

"Run" is often used for "firing" or "shooting."
It is also used in the expression "running balls" meaning to mold or cast them.

(I still sometimes use the expression "Run some rounds through it." when referring to shooting a new gun.)

Curt

[Arch Campbell]

Re: "Run some bullets and put by patches" - what does it mean?

It sounds (to me) like he is talking about preparing ammunition, "run" in the context that Curt explained about pouring and molding lead, and "put by" as in "to prepare in advance and store for future use."
Just a thought.