I run bullets
- Thread starter 4v50 Gary
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kBob
Member
Maybe give us the sentence before and after so we can see context?
Had someone that thought troops were being medicated when she read "we each got a dose" Turns out the original diarist meant doss, a sleeping cot, but most folks spelled worse than me in those days.
-kBob
Had someone that thought troops were being medicated when she read "we each got a dose" Turns out the original diarist meant doss, a sleeping cot, but most folks spelled worse than me in those days.
-kBob
Ephraim Kibbey
Member
Maybe the "R" was incorrectly transcribed from a "D" in DUN? Dun bullets????
Berkley
Member
The Oxford English Dictionary has fifteen pages of entries for “run”.
Somewhere along toward the end, I finally came across the definition that was being used here.
Somewhere along toward the end, I finally came across the definition that was being used here.
Ohio Gun Guy
Member
You fellers are purdy smart!
In all seriousness, good find! I saw this earlier and assumed that was the meaning, but had nothing....
In all seriousness, good find! I saw this earlier and assumed that was the meaning, but had nothing....
Panzerschwein
member
"Yo mama runs bullets, sucka!!" 
No, really, I think the man does in fact mean "cast".
I've read many soldier's diaries (they were man enough to call them diaries back then, not journals as most insecure men do today) and there is definitely some different language they used back then. But I've found the more you read them the more you catch on and the context begins to fill in the blanks. Without a doubt I personally think the literary skills and expectations of even the common writer have dramatically been reduced in recent times compared to the writers of the 19th century. It's just so fun to read those old books, not only to step back in time but also to learn the beautiful vocabulary that was once common (at least in print) in this country.
No, really, I think the man does in fact mean "cast".
I've read many soldier's diaries (they were man enough to call them diaries back then, not journals as most insecure men do today) and there is definitely some different language they used back then. But I've found the more you read them the more you catch on and the context begins to fill in the blanks. Without a doubt I personally think the literary skills and expectations of even the common writer have dramatically been reduced in recent times compared to the writers of the 19th century. It's just so fun to read those old books, not only to step back in time but also to learn the beautiful vocabulary that was once common (at least in print) in this country.
tembotusk
Member
John T being a sharpshooter, I think the meaning of "I ran Bullets" in this context is; he sighted in his rifle after getting new setscrews and readjusting his sights.
Might note, he received "bullet & cap boxes; getting well loaded up" No real reason to be casting bullets if he got a box of bullets.
Might note, he received "bullet & cap boxes; getting well loaded up" No real reason to be casting bullets if he got a box of bullets.
swathdiver
Member
I "run" my saws, not shape or cut wood.
Patocazador
Member
Quote:
Sarge said:
As a youth I read every frontier, buckskinner and mountain man book I could get my hands on. This was some decades ago, so I cannot recall the source; but I am certain 'running ball' means to melt lead and cast ball.
I have also read about "running ball" for casting round balls. If you're casting bullets, you're "running bullets."
Sarge said:
As a youth I read every frontier, buckskinner and mountain man book I could get my hands on. This was some decades ago, so I cannot recall the source; but I am certain 'running ball' means to melt lead and cast ball.
I have also read about "running ball" for casting round balls. If you're casting bullets, you're "running bullets."
AJumbo
Member
It means he spent some time casting bullets. I used to hear my buckskinner pards use the same term.
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