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Post by brokennock on Jun 29, 2020 11:58:54 GMT -7
In reading, "The Battle of King's Mountain, eyewitness accounts," by Robert M. Dunkerly, I come across this quote,
Colonel Isaac Shelby to Governor John Sevier, 1822
"Your first words to me at the surrender were—“By God, they have burnt off your hair.” You must still recollect that circumstance, that my hair on the left side was very much scorched—this happened just before the surrender,"
I find the comment following it by the book's author questionable,
"Flintlock weapons often burn the shooter, causing powder burns to hair, face and clothing, thus the scorching of Shelby’s hair."
I can understand, maybe, some minor powder spattering, maybe. Have any of you experienced enough flash and flame from your own firelock to burn off your hair?
Shelby himself blames the burns on the CQB nature of some of the battle.
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Post by spence on Jun 29, 2020 13:56:54 GMT -7
This painting of the battle of King's Mountain by Troiani shows exactly how that happened.   Spence |
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Post by Black Hand on Jun 29, 2020 14:25:48 GMT -7
Never once from my own. I've been burned by the flash from the shooter next to me (salute on Memorial Day), but even that was minor.
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coot
City-dweller
Posts: 152
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Post by coot on Jun 29, 2020 15:46:07 GMT -7
Hair burnt from flames from ones own pan - hardly likely. If an eager shooter had an enemy in sight & fired with his muzzle perhaps a few inches or maybe a foot behind ones shoulder, then a "scorching" from the muzzle blast seems possible - as well as quite the ear ache. something to try on the next trip to the range - how much powder burn shows on a paper (backed by a board) placed in front & just to the side of the muzzle. "Sorry about your hair & hearing John, but that guy had you in his sights"?
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Post by spence on Jun 29, 2020 16:30:35 GMT -7
It's pretty unlikely to burn your own hair, but it can be done if you are talented enough.
The Pennsylvania Gazette
August 13, 1777
PHILADELPHIA
"Capt. Murphy received very little damage, save being burnt in the face with his own gun, by her blowing from the touchhole."
Spence
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Post by brokennock on Jun 29, 2020 16:36:56 GMT -7
This painting of the battle of King's Mountain by Troiani shows exactly how that happened. Spence  I have a bunch of his paintings saved, including that one. While I know there is some jest there, the picture painted seems more in line with Shelby's own account of his hair being burned. |
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Post by brokennock on Jun 29, 2020 16:40:24 GMT -7
Never once from my own. I've been burned by the flash from the shooter next to me (salute on Memorial Day), but even that was minor. I think this is Shelby's implication. But, we don't read accounts of all the soldiers who are lined up for volley fire prior to the bayonet charge all being scorched by the guy to their left. I'm almost thinking Coot's idea is the most plausible. |
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Post by artificer on Jul 5, 2020 11:47:35 GMT -7
Along with the good point Coot made, perhaps it also happened while advancing and being forced back during the battle? I don't remember the exact count, but it seems the Patriots advanced and fell back 7 or 8 times during the battle before the Tories surrendered. Since they fought "Indian Style" the advancements and falling back would have been in staggered circumstances where it was much more likely one would get flash from another's muzzle.
Gus
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ewoaf
City-dweller
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Post by ewoaf on Jul 5, 2020 13:28:18 GMT -7
In line fighting you have rank and file. Second rank fires between file of the first rank, and if your front dress is too long I'm sure you can guess what happens. That's my theory.
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Post by paranger on Jul 5, 2020 15:29:54 GMT -7
In line fighting you have rank and file. Second rank fires between file of the first rank, and if your front dress is too long I'm sure you can guess what happens. That's my theory. Nobody on the Patriot side at King's Mountain was doing anything approximating linear tactics, I assure you. |
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I have a bunch of his paintings saved, including that one. While I know there is some jest there, the picture painted seems more in line with Shelby's own account of his hair being burned.
