Williams cleaner bullet
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During the American Civil War 1861-1865 and used by the Union (Federal or Northern or Yankee) Army, there were three types of projectiles used known as Williams Patent "cleaner" bullets. Type I bullets have a thick leather and zinc base and Type II and III's have a zinc base (similar to a flat washer), all of which were designed to help remove excess blackpowder build up and soft lead residue from the lands in a rifled musket barrel during the Civil War. A common package of arsenal issued bullets (10) would contain eleven percussion caps and ONE Williams patent cartridge--and they were always wrapped in BLUE paper, not buff or white or brown, like standard minie balls. Soldiers were instructed to fire a Williams each 10th round---since they did not have a hollow base like a standard minie ball, they were not as accurate and their cleaning effectiveness was dubious at best--most relic bullets are found as drops, discarded by veteran soldiers in the field. For further information, consult Civil War Projectiles II by Mason and McKee.
Will Gorges, Life Member, Company of Military Historians