It is commonly thought that finding melted lead in a CW camp is directly related to bullet casting. This is rarely the case. Why, you might ask? Consider this: Most cartridges from the CW consisted of a paper tube containing the bullet (projectile) and powder. One end of the paper tube was tied, the other folded. The bullet itself was coated with a lubricant (melted bee's wax and Mutton tallow or Sheep fat). This natural lube helped ram the bullet down the barrel and "season" the barrel, just like an old cast iron skillet gets seasoned with use. Petroleum based lube would seize up the bullet, preventing proper seating over the powder charge. If you were a Soldier in the field, you would need 1. lead, 2. bullet mold, 3. lube, 4. powder (2F powder) 5. paper to roll cartridges, 6. string (similar to modern cotton Kite string). There lies the problem. Having all of these components handy. Keep in mind that the Military did not issue bullet molds as standard accouterments, and, if the troops had been casting their own bullets, where are the bullet molds? Would we not dig them often? Pistols on the other hand were purchased as a cased set: Walnut/Oak box, pistol, powder flask, tin of percussion caps, gun tool, and bullet mold. Pistol bullet molds are found on occasion, but any molds for carbines or rifles would be considered rare. I'm not saying field casting wasn't done, it was, but only on rare occasions. Also, when the South was able to get the Whitworth sharpshooters rifle through the blockade, only the cylindrical rifles came with bullet molds. We have followed the trail of field casting from Hood's TN campaign. The Hex bullets were superior but were supplied with the Whitworth's. These rare bullets were manufactured in England and were sized (with a sizing die). Dropped examples have been found here in middle TN. The suggestion that all Whitworth bullets were cylindrical and only "hex formed" by firing does not fly with me, as I have dug both examples; fired and dropped. If you are finding lead sprues from field casting, they are very distinct, and would prove of such activity. Where does all the melted lead come from? Each evening, troops were required to clean their rifle and cartridge box in preparation for the next mornings inspection by the First Sargeant. This was generally done before breakfast. Any paper cartridge that had gotten wet, torn or in the case of the Confederate Gardner case: saturated and torn due to the bullet lube, would have been discarded in trash pits or fire pits. Union troops especially were instructed to discard unfit ammunition by destroying it, or rending it unusable, less it fall into Confederate hands for redistribution or recycling. Southern cities under siege were more prone to have Southern troops scavenging for lead and bullet molds as they could depend on local civilians to help manufacture ammunition. Bottom line is this: both armies were supplied with cartridges from arsenals. Soldiers had more pressing things to do than manufacture their own ammunition. Starting fires with powder will work, but it only takes a very small amount of powder flash to ignite kindling or paper. Most melted lead from fire pits is due from discarding, not bullet casting. Hope this helps clear up a controversial question. Good hunting, David @ Dixie <center><a href="http://www.dixie-metal-detectors.com"><img src="/metal/html/d-m.jpg"></center>
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