This failed purchase single-handedly extended the Civil War

James Wolfe Ripley, the Union’s Chief of Ordnance, was known to try and save a buck or two, as well as his opposition of the repeating rifle. When the opportunity arose to purchase these rifles from the British for next to nothing, he passed believing the Union’s weapons were fine and the war would be over in a few months.

Well… the Confederates made the purchase and lengthened the war by as much as two years.