What You Need to Know
• A man in South Texas discovered a live Civil War-era explosive he believed was a dummy round.
• The Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office dispatched an explosive disposal team from Lackland Air Force Base for safety.
• The device, identified as a live “parrot round,” was safely disposed of at Camp Bullis.
A man in South Texas, who had kept what he thought was a dummy Civil War-era ordnance in his home for years, discovered it was a live explosive. The Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office reported that the man contacted deputies shortly before 8 a.m. after a military friend examined the artifact and suspected it was active. Following the call, deputies sent an explosive disposal team from Lackland Air Force Base, located about an hour north of Atascosa County, to assess the situation. The team confirmed the artifact was a live “parrot round,” which was then transported to Camp Bullis for safe disposal. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and no charges are pending.
Why It Matters
This incident highlights the potential dangers of unexploded ordnance from historical conflicts, such as the Civil War. The Parrott rifle, which fired these rounds, was widely used by Union forces and is known for its distinctive design. The safe handling and disposal of such explosives are crucial to prevent accidents and ensure public safety. The discovery of live ordnance in civilian settings underscores the importance of awareness regarding historical military artifacts.
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