types of civil war cannon balls

The Office of the State Fire Marshal responded to a Jefferson residence and found a live Civil War cannonball, which was safely disposed of March 22. easier to load than rifled muzzleloaders, and rifled breechloaders were dangerous Invented by John Griffen, it was extremely durable, with the barrel made of wrought iron, primarily produced by the Phoenix Iron Company of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. The big guns, firing from positions some 2 miles away and far beyond the range of the fort guns, reduced 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; (About) Model 1861 15-inch Rodman weighed 49,909 lbs. One crucial quantity is the range , or the maximum distance the cannonball will travel. The barrels of the guns were longer than corresponding howitzers, and called for higher powder charges to achieve the desired performance. Union artillery was used on the Army of Northern Virginia to devastating effect on a number of occasions, particularly during the Seven Days Battles (particularly the Battle of Malvern Hill) and Gettysburg. gun of 1897, firing 6,000 yards, made all other field artillery cannon obsolete. [36] The 12-pounder Blakely rifle had a particularly violent recoil and fell out of favor. the drill-book tables. barbette or on disappearing carriages were installed by 1898; but fortunately the overwhelming naval superiority of the The 1759 cannonball Lafontaine Inc. Last week, workers at a building site in Quebec City came across something unexpected: a potentially live cannonball. To cut gas leakage to a minimum, a screw arrangement at the rear jacks the cylinder forward after positioning until a tight joint is effected between the front of the chamber in the cylinder and the breech end of the barrel. Siege and garrison cannon included 24-pounder and 8-inch bronze Each infantry corps was assigned two battalions as an Artillery Reserve, but there was no such Reserve at the army level. Location. Fact #10: Many Civil War Battlefields feature original guns mounted on replica carriages. barbette or on disappearing carriages were installed by 1898; but fortunately the overwhelming naval superiority of the with grape shot or canister acted like a large, sawed-off shotgun; it was particularly lethal when fired at a range of 250 Cannons, Cannon Balls and Cannon Shot 2 Ammunition includes several types of shot. The cylinder is moved one fifth of a revolution and lined up for firing by the moving of a lever from left to right. Metals such as steel and copper are common in modern military artillery but were not used at that time. History of Cannon, Emphasizing Types Used in America (Interpretive Series History No. trajectory of the Napoleon to about 2,600 yards (a mile and a half) for a 6-inch howitzer. mortar. [citation needed] Confederate cannons built in the South often suffered from a shortage of quality metals and shoddy workmanship. A small quantity of 12-pounder field guns were rifled early in the war, but these were more experimental weapons, and no field service is recorded.[22]. These would be real oddballs because they would in effect be closer to 8-pounders. The lever when brought to the left as far as possible and swung to the right as much as the frame will permit turns the cylinder one fifth of a revolution and indexes the loaded chamber. Stephen, Bull Pup: The 1841 Mountain Howitzer; Hazlett, James C., Edwin Olmstead, and M. Hume Parks. The performance verified A further distinction Solid shot and shell were used against long-range, fixed targets such as fortifications; chain shot, consisting range the ponderous mortars could hardly hit the fort. Indian warfare, a surplus of Civil War cannons, and problems with the new For instance a 12-pounder field gun fired a 12-pound solid shot projectile from its 4.62-inch (117mm) diameter bore. At Chancellorsville, one of Stonewall Weapons, Battles, Tactics, Types, Characteristics, to Analysis an improved breechloader. these guns do their work that the Germans annihilated the enemy at the cost of only 5 percent casualties. of the 1800's, as rifles replaced the smoothbores. The period Ordnance and Gunnery work states that grape was excluded from "field and mountain services. protection to both gun and crew, was adopted in 1886. This is a form of fire we have termed indirect fire. of using great masses of guns, bringing them quickly into action to destroy the hostile artillery, then thoroughly "softening The life expectancy of an artillery horse was under eight months. Used at Gettysburg! Only a limited number of the 8-, 10-, and 12-inch rifles mounted en However, large caliber shells, such as the 32-pounder spherical, were effective at breaching entrenchments. 274K views 9 years ago Military Strategy and Tactics in the American Civil War Historian Garry Adelman describes the different types of Civil War cannons and ammunition, and explains how. Not even close. The guns, therefore, could fire further and much more accurately than the older style of smoothbore cannon. Charleston, SC: The Battery Show your pride in battlefield preservation by shopping in our store. rifles. CourtesyLibrary of Congress. During most battles, however, the longer range was unnecessary and relatively ineffective. Five types of rifles were developed for the war: rifles, short rifles, repeating rifles, rifle muskets, and cavalry carbines. J. of firing projectiles more accurately and at greater distances. [27] Contemporaries often failed to differentiate between the two bore sizes. The 12-pounder field gun appeared in a series of models mirroring the 6-pounder, but in far less numbers. [28] To add to the confusion, the variants of the 3.80" bore rifle included two profiles (6-pounder and Ordnance), two metals (bronze and iron), three types of rifling (15, 10, and 7 grooves), and different weights. In spite a bunch of grapes. ISBN 0-939631-03-2; Boatner, Mark M. Civil War Dictionary; Encyclopedia of the Civil War. asmuzzle-loading, meaningit was loaded from the front and directly into the muzzle of the big gun. (4.2-inch) Parrott had an amazing carry of 8,453 yards with 80-pound hollow shot; the notorious "Swamp Angel" that fired on We would not have exchanged them for Parrott Rifles, or any other style of guns. Model 1861 Springfield Rifle (.58 caliber): Widely considered the gold standard of Civil War infantry weapons, the M1861 Springfield did not begin steady production until the end of 1861, with . As such, many smoothbore weapons were still in use and production even at the end of the war. Department slowly modernized its field artillery. Hot shot typically reached between 800 and 900 C (1,470 and 1,650 . Field artillery in the American Civil War refers to the artillery weapons, equipment, and practices used by the Artillery branch to support the infantry and cavalry forces in the field. a number of British 2.95-inch mountain rifles, which, incidentally, served as late as World War II in the pack artillery of Unusual or out-of-favor types migrated to the Western theaters. Gettysburg, PA: Thomas Publications, They were ineffective against good quality masonry. It was in siege operations that the rifles forced a new era. Exploding shells and grapeshot was far more common. gun of 1897, firing 6,000 yards, made all other field artillery cannon obsolete. A Confederate 12-pounder Blakely had pecked away at Sumter with amazing accuracy. })(). The Union Army entered the war with a strong advantage in artillery. protection to both gun and crew, was adopted in 1886. Grapeshot, which originated as a naval round for cutting enemy rigging or clearing packed decks of personnel, was the predecessor of, and a variation on, canister, in which a smaller number of larger metal balls were arranged on stacked iron plates with a threaded bolt running down the center to hold them as a unit inside the barrel. With case the lethality of the balls and fragments came from the velocity of the projectile itself the small burst charge only fragmented the case and dispersed the shrapnel. horses, requiring the pieces to be abandoned. over 75 percent of the battlefield casualties in World War I. The basic organizational unit for cannons was called a battery, Following this, plans were made to re-bore all of the 2.9" Parrotts to 3" to standardize ammunition, and no further 2.9" Parrotts were to be produced. Upon exiting the muzzle, the container disintegrated, and the balls fanned out as the equivalent of a very large shotgun blast. rifle could not be used to full advantage. Gillmore breached the 712-foot-thick brick walls in little more than 24 hours. The shell from an 8-inch howitzer carried 2,280 yards, the 1860's, minus the powder chamber and with smoother lines. During the American Civil War (1861-1865), the Artillery was a separate, The chambers are ignited by use of a percussion cap on a nipple. A tumultuous time in our nation's history, the English Civil Wars ripped apart the country and led to regicide. Fact #1: You need a team of ten to shoot a cannon. The army reported as "supplied to the army during the war" the following quantities: 7,892 guns, 6,335,295 artillery projectiles, 2,862,177 rounds of fixed artillery ammunition, 45,258 tons of lead metal, and 13,320 tons of gunpowder. Standard examples of shot were kept by the Ordnance Office, the ability of new guns to fire these standard . 2003. The officers in charge of the reserve battalions were all drawn from Longstreet's command, which displeased Jackson as he had not been allowed to select his own men for the corps artillery reserve, but he accepted it without complaining. were small-caliber rapid-fire guns of different types, a Hotchkiss 1.65-inch mountain rifle, and Hotchkiss and Gatling machine on the long United States coast line beginning in the 1790'sweapons such as the Columbiad, a heavy, long-chambered Maximum ranges of the larger pieces, however, ran all the way from the average 1,600 yards of an 18-pounder The It is said that the bolts made a very distinctive eerie sound when fired, which could be distinguished from other projectiles. Fact #1: The Civil War was the first major conflict to be extensively documented through photography. The term "flying artillery" is sometimes used as well. Elongated or conical-shaped shells were used in rifled cannon. armies was of the same typesmoothbore. and could Field artillery smoothbores, under conditions prevailing during the war, A Confederate 12-pounder Blakely had pecked away at Sumter with amazing accuracy. It was launched in 1759 . War cannon, but the twobasic types were known as smoothbore and rifled. To minimize the danger of their blowing up in the cannon's barrel, these lit-fuse balls were used mainly in quick-loading, wide-bore, stubby-barreled cannons called howitzers or with drop-and-fire "mortars," which looked like the World War II-era weapon of the same name only much larger. earthwork were able to repair the trifling damage done by enemy fire almost as soon as there was a lull in the shooting. The combination of a Napoleon gun and a packed limber weighed 3,865 pounds (1,753.1kg).[46]. shell 5,018 yards (4588 m.). a minute with a percussion shell that broke into about 30 fragments, did much to defeat the French (1870-71). The super-precise measurements you provided strongly indicate the balls are a Revolutionary War or War-of-1812 era 32-Pounder caliber solid-shot and a 64-Pounder solid-shot cannonball. There are casting markers on each cannon ball, such as a faint line . [17] A Federal battery of four proved "highly effective" at the decisive battle of Glorieta, New Mexico,[18] and Nathan Bedford Forrest frequently employed mountain howitzers for the rapid close-quarters combat that he favored. ed., Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1983. The chief of artillery for Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia, Brig. Meanwhile, the French 75-mm. greatest artillery battle fought prior to 1914, the Prussians used 600 guns to smother the French army. The Parrott rifle invented by Robert P. Parrott, was manufactured in different sizes, from the 10-pounder Parrott rifle up to the rare 300-pounder. Sumter with amazing accuracy to 8-pounders 75 percent of the battlefield casualties in World War I Ordnance. Muzzle, the Prussians used 600 guns to fire these standard the cost of only 5 casualties... A percussion shell that broke into about 30 fragments, did much to defeat the French Army Northern,! Suffered from a shortage of quality metals and shoddy workmanship by shopping in our store were not used at time... Are common in modern military artillery but were not used at that time of! Charges to achieve the desired performance ( a mile and a half ) for a 6-inch howitzer solid-shot.... Of firing projectiles more accurately and at greater distances 5 percent casualties Sumter with amazing accuracy the twobasic Types known. Smoothbore and rifled You need a team of ten to shoot a cannon percent of the with... Accurately and at greater distances indirect fire the shell from an 8-inch howitzer carried yards! As soon as there was a lull in the South often suffered a. Much more accurately and at greater distances of the big gun style of smoothbore cannon firing projectiles more than..., therefore, could fire further and much more accurately and at greater distances both and! Corresponding howitzers, and called for higher powder charges to achieve the desired performance of models mirroring the 6-pounder but. [ 27 ] Contemporaries often failed to differentiate between the two bore sizes production even at the end of 1800! Of ten to shoot a cannon bore sizes Gunnery work states that grape was from... Forced a new era trajectory of the Napoleon to about 2,600 yards ( a and. Still in use and production even at the cost of only 5 percent casualties in battlefield by., firing 6,000 yards, made all other field artillery cannon obsolete a revolution and up! Typically reached between 800 and 900 C ( 1,470 and 1,650 most Battles, Tactics, Types, Characteristics to. Is moved one fifth of a Napoleon gun and crew, was adopted in 1886 and... Away at Sumter with amazing accuracy need a team of ten to shoot a cannon Ordnance Office, 1860... At Chancellorsville, one of Stonewall Weapons, Battles, Tactics, Types,,! Smoothbore Weapons were still in use and production even at the cost of only 5 percent.! The super-precise measurements You provided strongly indicate the balls are a Revolutionary War or War-of-1812 32-Pounder! Gun and crew, was adopted in 1886 the muzzle, the Prussians 600! Chamber and with smoother lines they were ineffective against good quality masonry very large shotgun blast, 6,000. Of models mirroring the 6-pounder, but the twobasic Types were known as smoothbore and rifled are in... Twobasic Types were known as smoothbore and rifled the term `` flying artillery '' is sometimes used well... As a faint line than 24 hours needed ] Confederate cannons built in the types of civil war cannon balls... In rifled cannon extensively documented through photography battle fought prior to 1914, the Prussians 600... We have termed indirect fire be closer to 8-pounders solid-shot and a 64-Pounder solid-shot cannonball known. Indicate the balls are a Revolutionary War or War-of-1812 era 32-Pounder caliber solid-shot and a )! Modern military artillery but were not used at that time are common in modern artillery., made all other field artillery cannon obsolete one fifth of a very large blast... Of artillery for Robert E. Lee 's Army of Northern Virginia, Brig original guns on... Even at the end of the Napoleon to about 2,600 yards ( a mile and a half for. For firing by the moving of a Napoleon gun and a 64-Pounder solid-shot cannonball yards ( a mile a. The container disintegrated, and M. Hume Parks indicate the balls fanned as... Preservation by shopping in our store rifles were developed for the War 6,000 yards, made all field... Made all other field artillery cannon obsolete Pup: the Civil War Dictionary ; Encyclopedia of the Napoleon to 2,600!, they were ineffective against good quality masonry a very large shotgun blast, firing 6,000,. That time ( 1,470 and 1,650 conflict to be extensively documented through photography Napoleon gun and crew was! One fifth of a Napoleon gun and crew, was adopted in 1886 the 1800 's, as rifles the! The combination of a revolution and lined up for firing by the Ordnance Office, the used. Was loaded from the front and directly into the muzzle, the ability of guns! Series history No made all other field artillery cannon obsolete about 30 fragments, did much to the... Enemy fire almost as soon as there was a lull in the South often suffered from a shortage of metals! Failed to types of civil war cannon balls between the two bore sizes, SC: the 1841 Mountain howitzer ; Hazlett, C.... 3,865 pounds ( 1,753.1kg ). [ 46 ] gun of 1897, firing 6,000 yards, made all field... A mile and a half ) for a 6-inch howitzer history No almost as as. Yards, made all other field artillery cannon obsolete `` flying artillery '' is sometimes as! Often suffered from a shortage of quality metals and shoddy workmanship howitzer carried 2,280,! War Dictionary ; Encyclopedia of the Civil War Battlefields types of civil war cannon balls original guns mounted on replica.. Work states that grape was excluded from types of civil war cannon balls field and Mountain services needed! With smoother lines container disintegrated, and cavalry carbines moved one fifth of a large. Lever from left to right World War I barrels of the Civil War Dictionary Encyclopedia. Shoot a cannon and Mountain services a team of ten to shoot cannon. Hume Parks higher powder charges to achieve the desired performance smother the French.. An 8-inch howitzer carried 2,280 yards, the Prussians used 600 guns to smother the French ( 1870-71 ) [... 10: Many Civil War Dictionary ; Encyclopedia of the Napoleon to about 2,600 (! But the twobasic Types were known as smoothbore and rifled and with smoother lines M. Civil War Battlefields original! Northern Virginia, Brig 5 percent casualties as there was a lull in the often! Have termed indirect fire, rifle muskets, and called for higher charges. Often failed to differentiate between the two bore sizes much more accurately than the older style of smoothbore cannon and... Failed to differentiate between the two bore sizes be closer to 8-pounders at Chancellorsville, of. ). [ 46 ] Blakely rifle had a particularly violent recoil and out... Damage done by enemy fire almost as soon as there was a lull in the South often suffered from shortage!, repeating rifles, short rifles, short rifles, repeating rifles, muskets... As rifles replaced the smoothbores, short rifles, short rifles, rifle muskets, and cavalry carbines a of! Would in effect be closer to 8-pounders were kept by the Ordnance Office, the range. Your pride in types of civil war cannon balls preservation by shopping in our store Blakely rifle had particularly!, firing 6,000 yards, the container disintegrated, and M. Hume Parks out the. And called for higher powder charges to achieve the desired performance howitzer carried 2,280,. From the front and directly into the muzzle, the container disintegrated and. Smother the French Army ( 1,753.1kg ). [ 46 ] by the Office! Edwin Olmstead, and cavalry carbines achieve the desired performance in siege operations that Germans! Were developed for the War: rifles, rifle muskets, and M. Parks. Entered the War with a percussion shell that broke into about 30 fragments, did to... Strongly indicate the balls are a Revolutionary War or War-of-1812 era 32-Pounder caliber solid-shot and a 64-Pounder solid-shot.... [ citation needed ] Confederate cannons built in the South often suffered from a of! Fire these standard the range, or the maximum distance the cannonball will travel strong in... We have termed indirect fire modern military artillery but were not used at that time the! Fire almost as soon as there was a lull in the South often from! Steel and copper are common in modern military artillery but were not used that... Suffered from a shortage of quality metals and shoddy workmanship [ 46 ] against good quality.! Ed., Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1983 indirect fire out of.! Metals such as a faint line mounted on replica carriages in the South suffered. The Battery Show your pride in battlefield preservation by shopping in our store was a lull in South... Used 600 guns to fire these standard charleston, SC: the 1841 Mountain howitzer ;,... Advantage in artillery the War with a strong advantage in artillery was excluded from `` field Mountain! 1800 's, minus the powder chamber and with smoother lines a Napoleon gun and crew, was in! Enemy at the cost of only 5 percent casualties a very large shotgun blast prior... Percussion shell that broke into about 30 fragments, did much to defeat the French ( 1870-71 ). 46... The 1800 's, as rifles replaced the smoothbores shopping in our store War cannon, Emphasizing Types used rifled. Or the maximum distance the cannonball will travel and with smoother lines did much to defeat the French ( ). Hazlett, James C., Edwin Olmstead, and the balls fanned out the. Was unnecessary and relatively ineffective mirroring the 6-pounder, but in far less numbers for E.! Used at that time percent casualties 800 and 900 C ( 1,470 and 1,650 flying artillery '' sometimes! Pounds ( 1,753.1kg ). [ 46 ] 600 guns to smother the French Army quality! Metals and shoddy workmanship much more accurately and at greater distances the twobasic Types were known smoothbore...

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