New Technology in the Civil War EraMy research project focuses on new technology used during the Civil War. New weapons were used in the war as well as other technologies that contributed to the war. These helped change the way people lived and made their lives easier. The repeating rifle was used during the Civil War in 1863. These weapons could fire more than one bullet before needing to be reloaded. The most popular was called the Spencer Carbine and could fire seven shots in 30 seconds. The Minie ball was created by Claude-Etienne Minié. This was also used, and the new rifling or grooves in the musket barrel caused these bullets to spin and travel up to 900 feet. They increased the range and accuracy of muskets, these bullets caused much more damage to bones. .(Judy, 2012) (Falton, 2001). Naval mines and torpedoes were also used. The mines were developed by the Confederates. Mines were used first, then torpedoes were used, and they sank over 40 Union ships. They were successful, leading to the creation of land mines and grenades that were used in other wars after the end of the Civil War. (Marten, 2012) Railroads were used and the Civil War was the first war to use them. The North had more than 20,000 miles of railroad tracks and the South had only 9,000 miles of track. The generals would move all of their soldiers, supplies, and armor from the war to where they were needed. Sometimes the stations were attacked by their enemies, while they awaited their arrival. Railroad ideas were encouraged for use by Abraham Lincoln, as he himself was a former railroad lawyer. He understood how important the railroads were in moving their men and supplies from place to... middle of paper... them during the war. Lowe built 7 more war balloons and hired people to fly them. They formed a balloon corps and called these balloons Lincoln Flying Spies. Lowe also designed mobile gas generators capable of producing hydrogen to inflate balloons on the battlefield. The balloons had a large rounded net covering the entire perimeter of the balloon. The soldiers stood in a basket suspended beneath the balloons and spied on their enemies below on the battlefield. They sent information back to commanders and let them know what was happening down below. They could watch from 15 miles away. The Intrepid was the largest balloon used during the Civil War and could carry 5 men in the basket. They attached a large rope to the ball and anchored it to the ground when not in use. (Haydon, 2000) (Jarrow, 2010) (Wikipedia Ballooning)