Jack the Ripper
King
- Joined
- Oct 3, 2004
- Messages
- 785
We are always hearing about the importance and skill of sharpshooters on the modern battleground; although most Americans dont know the story of the single sniper that possibly won the Revolutionary war over 200 years ago.
This is the most detailed i can get about it: A sharpshooter bearing a Pennsylvania longrifle shot an English general at 300 yards in a large battle during the american revolution. Because of the british tactics at the time, when the general died the confused british troops were routed and the Americans won the battle. Observing overseas, the french noted how well and easily the americans won the battle (probably not knowing of the whole dead-genral factor), and provided support for the americans which most historians say were essential to the outcome of the war.
If anyone out there knows the more specific form of the story (such as the snipers name, the general's name,the name of the battle, etc) please feel free to tell your version.
It is important to note that making a 300 yard shot, even by today's standards, is highly difficult. It is made even more difficult with the wind factor, the fact that he was (allegedly) standing, the type of ammo used (probibly just a musketball), the fact he was using only open sights, and obsticles between him and the target.
Would america have still won the war without this lone sniper? It can be scary to think about. With that i would like to thank all of the US snipers, past and present, for their remarkable service in war and crime prevention.

This is the most detailed i can get about it: A sharpshooter bearing a Pennsylvania longrifle shot an English general at 300 yards in a large battle during the american revolution. Because of the british tactics at the time, when the general died the confused british troops were routed and the Americans won the battle. Observing overseas, the french noted how well and easily the americans won the battle (probably not knowing of the whole dead-genral factor), and provided support for the americans which most historians say were essential to the outcome of the war.
If anyone out there knows the more specific form of the story (such as the snipers name, the general's name,the name of the battle, etc) please feel free to tell your version.
It is important to note that making a 300 yard shot, even by today's standards, is highly difficult. It is made even more difficult with the wind factor, the fact that he was (allegedly) standing, the type of ammo used (probibly just a musketball), the fact he was using only open sights, and obsticles between him and the target.
Would america have still won the war without this lone sniper? It can be scary to think about. With that i would like to thank all of the US snipers, past and present, for their remarkable service in war and crime prevention.


