How did warfare technology/tactics change from The Armerican Revolutionary War to the American Civil War?

by thebrandster1985

Even though they are nearly 100 years apart, I've always considered them to have been fought with (seemingly) very similar weaponry. But a Centuary is a long time, so I would assume a lot had changed. What significant advancements had been made between the two wars?

hobblingcontractor

Whew, where to start?

Rifled muskets (Springfield 1861 accurate to 400 yards, 18th century Brown Bess accurate to 100 yards)

Minie ball

Percussion cap instead of flintlock

Revolvers

Breech-loading rifles (Sharps)

Henry lever action repeating rifle (not wide-spread, but there)

Telescopic sight

Ironclads

Steamships

Armstrong screw (breech-loading cannon)

Logistics development

Railroads

Railroads

Railroads

Railroads

Industry being able to quickly produce new things, like going from primarily smooth-bore to rifled in a year or two.

Codified battlefield visual signaling (wig-wag, go Signal Corps!)

Lots and lots of things changed. The only thing that really didn't change is that line units were predominately muzzle-loaders. but that's like saying the BAR is the same as an M16.

edit: omg formatting.