History trivia: "They couldn't hit an elephant at this distance."
Who said it, and in what context?
18 Replies
John Sedgwick, in response to his underlings telling him to get down
During the Civil War.
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Bonus pic of Mariko.
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V
Va AandM
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at Spotsyvania Court House moments before being mortally wounded (Gen. John Sedgwick of the distinguished MA Sedgwicks)
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Confederate snipers were about 800-1,000 yards away firing Whitworth rifles, and the Union troops were hesitant to move forward.
"What? Men dodging this way for single bullets? What will you do when they open fire along the whole line? I am ashamed of you. They couldn't hit an elephant at this distance."
Seconds later he was killed by a bullet below the eye.
Helluva shot at 800-1,000 yards.
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There were some damn good snipers in the Revolutionary War...
(Thinking about the West Virginia company in the Saratoga campaign.) Don't know why that would be any different 90 years later.
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** Edited by Chris Coleman at 7/27/2026, 11:50:09 AM
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Pun intended?
Considering the original quote was about range. ;^)
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Rude and tasteless. So I won’t say it.
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Michael Caine in Shaka Zulu. Check that...regular, plain old Zulu (1964)
** Edited by Coach McGuirk at 7/27/2026, 9:31:21 AM
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It was good, but I actually thought Zulu Dawn was better. Zulu Dawn was the prequel that was made about 10 years later about the buildup to Rorke's Drift. Peter O'Toole in the lead role.
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