Related video on derringers

[L Verge]

I believe that Lincoln saw the rifle demonstrated at the Washington Arsenal in 1863, at least a year after it had been introduced, and was so impressed that he demanded they be distributed to his soldiers as quickly as possible.

I mentioned the showing of Red Badge of Courage, which is based around the Battle of Chancellorsville in 1862. Our movie historian said in remarks after the show that the scenes where the soldiers are digging with their bayonets in order to form trenches to hide behind were inaccurate. The armies did not develop that tactic until later in the war when they realized they had to start abandoning the old European style of facing the enemy outright - reminiscent of what Craig just mentioned.