of that duty.
19. The instructor causes the service of the piece to
be executed by the following commands:
1. From battery.
The gunner moves two paces to his right.
Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, facing from the epaulment,
embar: nos. 1 and 2 under the front of the wheels;
nos. 3 and 4 through the rear spokes of the wheels,
near the felly, under and perpendicularly to the cheeks;
and nos. 5 and 6 under the manoeuvring bolts.
All being ready, the gunner gives the command
Heave, which will be repeated as often as may be
necessary. He sees that nos. 5 and 6 guide the trail
• ART. 1.] SIEGE GUN. 9
in prolongation of the directrix of the embrazure, and
as soon as the face of the piece is about one yard from
the epaulment, commands Halt. All unbar, and
resume their posts. Nos. 1 and 2 chock the wheels.
2. Load by detail — Load.
20. Nos. 1, 2 and 4 lay down their handspikes.
No. 2 takes out the tompion, and places it near the
vent-cover.
No. 1 faces once and a-hialf to his left; steps over the
sponge and rammer; faces to the piece; takes the
sponge with both hands, the backs down, the right hand
three feet from the sponge-head, the left hand eighteen
inches nearer to it; returns to the piece, entering the
staff in the embrazure; places the left foot in line with
the face of the piece, half way between it and the
wheels; breaks to the right with the right foot, the
heels on a line parallel to the direction of the piece,
the left . leg straightened, the right knee bent, the body
erect upon the haunches; and rests the end of the
sponge in the muzzle, the staff in the prolongation of
the bore, supported by the right hand, the right arm
extended, the left hand flat against the side of the
thigh.
No. 2 steps to the muzzle, and occupies a position on
the left of the piece corresponding to that of no. 1 on
its right. He seizes the staff with the left hand, back
down, near to and outside of the hand of no. 1.
No. 3 facing towards the epaulment, embars under
the breech, and maintains the piece in a convenient
position for inserting the sponge, until he receives a
signal from the gunner to unbar. He then lays down
his handspike; steps over the rammer and seizes the
staff with both hands, as prescribed for the sponge; and
stands ready to exchange with no. 1.
No . 4 takes the pass-box and goes to the rear for a car-
tridge; returns with it, and places himself, facing the
piece, about eighteen inches to the rear and right of
no. 2.
10 SERVICE OP THE PIECE. [PART 1.
The gunner places himself near the stock, the left
foot advanced; closes the vent with the second finger
of the left hand, bending well forward to cover himself
by the breech; turns the elevating screw with the right
hand, so as to adjust the piece conveniently for loading;
and makes a signal for no. 3 to unbar.
21. In the mean time, nos. 1 and 2 insert the sponge
by the following motions :
1st motion. They insert the sponge as far as the hand
of no. 1, bodies erect, shoulders square.
2
seize it at arm's length.
3d motion. They force the sponge down as pre-
scribed in the first motion.
ith motion. They repeat the second motion.
5th motion. They push the sponge to the bottom of
the bore. No. 1 replaces the left hand on the staff, back
up, six inches nearer to the muzzle than the right.
No. 2 places the right hand, back up, between the
hands of no. 1.
If in executing these motions, or the corresponding
ones with the rammer, it be found that the sponge or
rammer is at home at the third or fourth motion, then
what is prescribed for the fifth motion will be performed
at the third or fourth. The knee on the side towards
which the body is to be inclined is always bent, the
other straightened; and the weight of the body added,
as much as possible, to the effort exerted by the arms.
3. Sponge.
22. Nos. 1 and 2, pressing the sponge firmly against
the bottom of the bore, turn it three times from right
to left, and three times from left to right; replace the
hands on the thighs; and withdraw the sponge by mo-
tions contrary to those prescribed for inserting it.
Remark. To handle the sponge when it is new and
fits tight, it may become necessary for nos. 1 and 2 to
use both hands. In this case it will be inserted and
withdrawn by short and quick motions.
ART. 1.] SIEGE GUN. 11
No. 2 quits the staff, and turning towards no. 4,
receives from him the cartridge, which he takes in
both hands, . backs down, and introduces into the bore
bottom foremost, seams fo the sides; he then grasps
the rammer in the way prescribed for the sponge.
No. 1, rising upon the right leg and turning towards
his left, passes the sponge above the rammer with the
left hand to no. 3, and receiving the rammer with the
right, presents it as prescribed for the sponge, except
that he rests the rammer-head against the right side of
the face of the piece.
No. 3, as soon as the sponge is withdrawn, passing
the rammer under the sponge into the embrazure with
the right hand, receives the sponge from no. 1 with
the left, replaces it upon the prpp, and resumes his
post.
No. 4, setting down the pass-box, takes out the car-
tridge and presents it in both hands to no. 2, the choke
to the front; returns the pass-box to its place; and picks
up a ball, and afterwards a wad, should one be required.
Nos. 1 and 2 force down the cartridge by the mo-
tions prescribed for forcing down the sponge.
4. Ram.
23. Nos. 1 and 2, drawing the rammer but to the
full extent of their arms, ram with a single stroke.
No. 2 quits the staff, and turning towards no. 4,
receives from him the ball and wad, whilst no. 1
throws out the rammer, and holds the head against the
right side of the face of the piece. No. 2, receiving
successively the ball and wad, introduces them into the
bore, the ball first, and seizes the staff with the left
hand. No. 4 then resumes his post.
Nos. 1 and 2 force down the ball and wad together
by the same motions, and ram in the same manner as
prescribed for the cartridge. No. 2 quits the rammer;
sweeps, if necessary, the platform on his own side;
passes the broom to no. 1; and resumes his post. No.
1 throws out the rammer, and places it upon the prop
12 SERVICE OF THE PIECE. [PART 1.
below the sponge; finishes the sweeping; and resumes
his post.
The gunner pricks, leaving the priming wire in the
vent; resumes his post; and, if firing beyond point-
blank range, adjusts the breech-sight to the distance.
5. In battery.
24. Nos. 1 and 2 unchock the wheels, and with
nos. 3, 4, 5 and 6, all facing towards the epaulment,
embar : nos. 1 and 2 through the front spokes of the
wheels, near the felly, under and perpendicularly to
the cheeks; nos. 3 and 4 under the rear of the wheels;
and nos. 5 and 6 under the manoeuvring bolts perpen-
dicularly to the stock.
All being ready, the gunner commands Heave, and
the piece is run into battery; nos. 5 and 6 being care-
ful to guide the chase into the middle of the embrazure.
As soon as the wheels touch the hurter, he commands
Halt. All unbar, and nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4 resume
their posts.
6. Point.
25. No. 3 lays down his handspike; passes the hook
of the lanyard through the eye of a tube from front
to rear; and holds the handle of the lanyard with the
right hand, the hook between the thumb and forefinger.
Nos. 5 and 6 embar under and perpendicularly to the
trail, near the manoeuvring bolts.
The gunner, placing himself at the stock, as at the
command Load, withdraws the priming wire, and,
aided by nos. 5 and 6, gives the direction; causing the
trail to be moved by commanding Left, or Right, tap-
ping, at the same time, on the right side of the breech
for no. 5 to move the trail to the left, or on the left
side for no. 6 to move it to the right.
He then places the centre point of the breech-sight
accurately upon the chalk mark on the base-ring, and
by the elevating screw gives the proper elevation, rec-
tifying the direction, if necessary.
ART. 1.] SIEGE GUN. 13
The moment the piece is correctly pointed, he rises
on the left leg, and gives the word Ready, making a
signal with both hands, at which nos. 5 and 6 unbar,
and resume their posts; takes the breech-sight with the
left hand; and goes to the windward to observe the
effect of the shot.
No. 3 inserts the tube in the vent; drops the handle,
allowing the lanyard to uncoil as he steps back to his
post, holding it slightly stretched with the right hand,
the cord passing between the fingers, back of the hand
up; and breaks to the rear a full pace with the left foot,
the left hand against the thigh.
At the word Ready, nos. 1 and 2 take the chocks,
and breaking off with the feet farthest from the epaul-
ment, stand ready to chock the wheels.
26. In directing the piece to be fired, the instructor
will designate it by its number, as, for example:
7. Number one — Fire.
No. 3 gives a smart pull upon the lanyard.
Immediately after the discharge of the piece, nos. 1
and 2 chock the wheels, and resume the erect position.
No. 3 resumes the erect position, and rewinds the lan-
yard in St. Andrew's cross upon its handle, returning
it, if dry, to the tube-pouch. The gunner, having
observed the effect of the shot, returns to his post.
27. Whenever the piece is to be fired by a lock^
portfire^ or slow-match, it will be done by no. 3, as pre-
scribed for no. 4, in the instruction for field artillery.
28. To continue the exercise, the instructor resumes,
the series of commands beginning with From bat-
TERY.
14 SERVICE OF THE PIECE, [PART 1.
Vo chauge poBfg,
29. To change posts, the instructor commands :
1. Change posts.
2. March.
3. Call-off.
At the first command, the cannoneers lay down their
handspikes; place their equipments on the parts of the
carriage nearest to them; and face to their left.
At the second command, they step off, each advanc-
ing one post; no. 2 taking that of no. 1. Nos. 2 and
5 pass to the rear of the trail; no. 2 on the outside
of all the cannoneers. On arriving at their posts, they
face to the piece, and equip themselves.
At the third command, they call-off, according to the
posts they are to occupy.
Vo toad foi' action,
30. The cannoneers having been sufficiently instruct-
ed in the details of the movements, the instructor com-
mands :
Load for action — Load.
The piece is run from battery, loaded, run into bat-
tery, pointed, and prepared for firing, by the following
commands from the gunner: From battery — Load —
In battery — Point — Ready.
At the command, or signal, from the instructor to
commence firing,, the gunner gives the command Fire,
and continues the action until the instructor directs the
firing to cease.
Vo cease firing,
31. To cause the firing to cease, the instructor com-
mands:
Cease firing.
ART. 1.] SIEGE GUN. 15
Whether the cannoneers are loading by detail or for
action, the piece is sponged out, and all resume their
posts. If the cartridge has been inserted the loading
will be completed, unless the instructor should other-
wise direct.
Vo secure piece, a»td replace itnpleauentg,
32. To discontinue the exercise, the instructor hav-
ing ordered the firing to cease, and caused the piece to
be run into battery, gives the following commands:
1. Secure piece.
No. 2 returns the tompion to the muzzle. The gun-
ner puts on the vent-coverj which he receives from
no. 2, and depresses the piece.
2. Replace implements.
Nos. 1 and 2 replace the handspikes against the
epaulment, those of nos. 3, 4, 5 and 6 being passed
to them by nos. 3 and 4 for that purpose. The gun-
ner hangs the pouches upon the knob of the cascable.
Vo leave tite batiery,
33. The instructor causes the muskets to be taken;
forms the detachment in rear of the piece; and marches
it from the battery as prescribed in no. 13.
Remarks.
34. The service of a 24-pdr. siege gun, as it respects
running from and to battery, and pointing, is performed
by five men, as prescribed for the siege Howitzer in
Lesson II. Five men suffice for the service of the 18
and 12-pdrs. To perform, however, all the duties inci-
dent to a battery of heavy artillery on a war establish-
ment, including transportation and the mechanical
manoeuvres, the details for its daily service, at three
16 SERVICE OF THE PIECE. [PART 1.
reliefs, should allow, at least, twenty privates to each
piece.
Vo serve the piece with redtwed nutubers.
35. The smallest number of men with which heavy
pieces can be served with facility, has been given as
five. It may be necessary, however, from the men
being disabled, or from other circumstances, to serve a
gun with a less number.
With four men. They will be told off as gunner, and
nos. 1, 2 and 3, In this case, no. 2 will, in addition
to his own duties, perform those of no. 4.
With three men. They will be told off as gunner, and
Nos. 1 an_d 2. No. 1 performs the duties prescribed
for no. 3, as well as his own. No. 2 performs those
of no. 4, as in the preceding case.
When no. 2 serves ammunition, he goes for the car-
tridge, and places the pass-box behind his post, before
assisting no. 1 to sponge.
OPrangporiaiioti,
36. The transportation of a 24-pdr. gun requires ten
horses and five drivers; an 18-pdr. eight horses and four
drivers; a battery wagon six horses and three drivers;
and spare carriages — at the rate of one for every five
pieces-— require, each, six horses and three drivers.
Chwi'ges, Sfc,
37. The ordinary service charge of powder for heavy
guns is one-fourth the weight of the shot. For firing
double shot it is one-sixth that weight. The breaching
charge is one-third the weight of the shot.
Range of a 24-pdr., at an angle of 1° 30', {point-hlanky) charge
6 lbs 950 yards.
Range of a 24-pdr., at an angle of 5°, charge 6 lbs. . 1900 "
Range of an 18-pdr., at an angle of 1° 30', charge 4| lbs. 800 "
Range of an 18-pdr., at an angle of 5°, charge 4| lbs. . 1600 "
Proof range of powder 300 "
The range of a 12-pdr. is about the same as that of an 18-pdr.
ART. 1.] SIEGE GUN. 17
12°
12°
13°
4°
4°
4°
Greatest elevation that a 24-pdr. carriage admits
Greatest elevation that an 18-pdr. carriage admits
Greatest elevation that a 12 pdr. carriage admits
Greatest depression that a 24-pdr. carriage admits
Greatest depression that an 18-pdr. carriage admits
Greatest depression that a 12-pdr. carriage admits
See Tables in Part III.
38. Wads are not generally necessary, except when
firing at angles of depression; and then only one is
used, and that on the ball. When, however, the piece
has been fired so often that the ball has caused a lodg-
ment in the bore, it is well to use wads differing in
length, according to the position and extent of the lodg-
ment, between the shot and the cartridge.
Hay wads may be made by twisting hay into a rope
of about one inch in diameter, folding it together of any
desired length, and then winding the folds from one
end to. the other, leaving the wad a little larger than
the bore.
Breachfhg batteries*
39. Breaching batteines established against walls are,
First To make a horizontal section the length of the
desired breach along the scarp, at one-third its height
from the bottom of the ditch, and to a depth equal to
the thickness of the wall.
Secondly, To make vertical cuts through the wall,
not farther than ten yards apart, and not exceeding one
to each piece; beginning at the horizontal section, and
ascending gradually to the top of the wall.
Thirdly. To fire at the most prominent points of the
masonry left standing; beginning always at the bottom,
and gradually approaching the top.
Fourthly. To fire into the broken mass with How-
itzers until the breach is practicable.
Breaches of more than twenty yards in length have
been opened by way of experiment, and rendered prac-
2#
18 SERVICE OF THE PIECE. [PART. 1.
ticable, in less than ten hours, by about two hundred
and thirty 24-pdr. balls and forty shells in on« case,
and by three hundred 18-pdr. balls and forty shells in
another.
Itapidity of Uring,
40. Iron guns sustain long-continued and rapid firing
better than brass guns. An iron gun should sustain
twelve hundred discharges, at the rate of twelve an
hour; but whatever may be the rate of fire, it is
deemed unsafe after that number of discharges. As
many as twenty an hour have been made for sixteen
consecutive hours.
^Penetration of »hot,
41. The penetration of balls increases to a certain
extent with their calibre. The mean result, from seve-
ral experiments, gives tlie penetration of a 24-pdr. ball,
with the charge of one-third of its weight, at the dis-
tance of one hundred yards, as follows:
Feet. Inches.
In earth of old parapets 8 6
In earth recently thrown up 15
In oak wood, sound and hard - - - 4 6
In rubble stone masonry - - - 1 10
In brick 3
t '-> ^,
<5i b
(^c>rs'*"-i'^Keoo^
1^
Lt.RJT Rush, 2fArt. Helc
VWCltUandSc.
^^
24 J) dr. gun on a Siege Carriage.
J^l Manoeuvring boles
.. 2 If-ail plate.
„ 3 Lock chain hook.
- 4 lock cTudn bole.
» 5 ITave bands.
» 6 linch washer.
. / linchpin.
Lt.RJUiush 2*Art.J)elt.
DM^CUlland Sc.
â– â– â– ^^m
UJtJUiiiih, 2* Art. BeU.
J).J^CUUand Sc.
)#â–
.*4
is,- • t
Q.
O:
a
X
â– r
It
# '
#^^
^
«v
.â– * '^
•■.».'•■•
.^''•%
.<- ::â–
*
t*
■«
^t^:
•i- . â–
ii'
f"'
's.
^
* +■•â–
PLATE 6.
Cartridge.
Grape.
Canister.
U.R.HJhia\2^Art.r>elt.
.' ^ '\\,,\\' \ / '*:^'^£^^T
'#• ... ■"•■^•c
4 - .*:
.::^'-:.v-;::-.
i , .,,^ ,•• -â– '- F- , . i , â–
' >^ *V.'^
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r^^
'r, : ;;i v: : '<
ART. 1.]
8-INCH SIEGE HOWITZER.
19
liESSON II.
Service of an 8-«mcA Siege Ittneitser, mounted on a 'H'k-pdr.
siege carriage*
(Plate VII.)
Handspikes
Sponge and Bam-
Five men are necessary; one gunner and four other
cannoneers.
42. The piece is in battery upon its platform.
The implements, &c., are arranged as follows:
Three on the left of the carriage,
and two on the right, leaning
against the epaulment, in line
with the cannoneers.
On props, eighteen inches behind
and parallel to the cannoneers of
the right, the sponge-head turned
towards the epaulment.
Containing fuzes, a pair of sleeves,
and a priming-wire, bent at right
angles at the point, for withdraw-
ing the cartridge used in instruc-
tion. Suspended from the knob
of the cascable.
Containing friction tubes, and the
lanyard, wound in St. Andrew's
cross upon its handle. Sus-
pended from the knob of the cas-
cable.
Havresack
Tube-pouch
20
SERVICE OF THE PIECE.
[part 1.
Criuu&er's-pouch . .
Ijoading-tongs
Quadrant . . . .
Plummet . . . .
Scraper . . . . .
li^iper
Splints ....
Crrummet-'fvad
Chocks
Tent-corer
Tompion '
Quoin • •
Containing the gunner's level
breech-sight, fingerstall, primin
wire, gimlet, vent-punch, an
chalk. Suspended from the knob
of the cascable.
In a basket, or on a shelf, against
the epaulment, outside of and
near the handspikes of the left.
On the end of the hurter, near no. 2.
One on each side of the piece, near
the ends of the hurter.
Covering the vent.
In the muzzle.
Under the breech.
Leaning against the epaulment, out-
side of the basket or shelf.
When several howitzers are served together, there
will be only one gunner's level and two vent-punches
to each battery, not exceeding six pieces. To the same
battery there will be one wrench.
One shell and one bombazine cartridge bag for
instruction — the bag filled with sawdust, and having
loops of thread at the choke end — are at the magazine,
or other safe place in rear of the piece.
43. The cannoneers having been marched to their
posts, the instructor directs them to place their muskets
against the epaulment, and then explains to them the
names and uses of the implements, and the nomencla-
tures of the howitzer, its carriage, and the battery.
44. To cause the implements to be distributed, the
iHstructor commands:
Broom
Take implements.
ART. 1.] 8-INCH SIEGE HOWITZER. 21
The gunner steps to the knob of the cascable; takes
off the vent-cover, handing it to no. 2 to place against
the epaulment, outside of the basket; gives the tube-
pouch to no. 3, and the haversack to no. 4; and equips
himself with his own pouch and the fingerstall, wear-
ing the latter on the second finger of the left hand.
No. 2 puts on the sleeves.
No. 3 equips himself with the tube-pouch.
No. 4 equips himself with the havresack, which he
wears from the right shoulder to the left side; takes out
the sleeves; and assists no. 2 to put them on.
Nos. 1 and 2, after passing handspikes to nos. 3 and
4 and the gunner, take each one for himself. The gun-
ner, receiving his from no. 4, lays it in the alignment,
the small end towards the epaulment, and two yards to
his right. The other handspikes are held, laid down,
and resumed, as prescribed in nos. 17 and 18.
The gunner directs no. 3 to raise the breech to ena-
ble him to level the piece; applies his level to ascer-
tain the highest points of the base-ring and muzzle-
band, which he marks with chalk; and resumes his
post.
45. The instructor causes the service of the piece to
be executed by the following commands :
1. From battery.
The gunner moves two paces to his right.
Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4, facing from the epaulment, em-
bar : nos. 1 and 2 through the rear spokes of the
wheels, near the felly, under and perpendicularly to
the cheeks; and nos. 3 and 4 under the manceuvring
bolts.
All being ready, the gunner gives the command
Heave, which will be repeated as often as may be
necessary. He sees that nos. 3 and 4 guide the trail
in prolongation of the directrix of the embrazure, and
as soon as the wheels are about one yard from the
22 SERVICE OF THE PIECE. [PART 1.
epaulment, commands Halt. All unbar, and resume
their posts. Nos. 1 and 2 chock the wheels. -
2. Load by detail — Load.
46. Nos. 1, 2 and 4 lay down their handspikes.
No. 2 takes out the tompion, and places it near the
vent-cover; sweeps, if necessary, his side of the plat-
form; passes the broom to the right side of the piece;
and resumes his post.
No. 1 faces to his right, and seizes the sponge-staff
at its middle with the right hand, back up; places him-
self at the muzzle; forces the sponge to the bottom of
the chamber; and grasps the staff with both hands : all
nearly as in field artillery.
No. 3, facing towards the epaulment, embars under
the breech or knob of the cascable, until he receives a
signal from the gunner to unbar, when he resumes his
post.
No. 4 goes to the rear for a cartridge and shell; puts
the cartridge in his havresack; takes the shell in both
hands; returns and places it on the grummet-wad;
and stands, facing the piece, about eighteen inches to
the rear and left of no. 2.
The gunner places himself near the stock, as in no.
20, and closes the vent with the second finger of the
left hand; adjusts the piece with the quoin to about one
degree's elevation; and makes a signal for no. 3 to
unbar.
3. Sponge.
47. No. 1, pressing the sponge firmly against the
bottom of the chamber, turns it three times from right
to left, and three times from left to right; draws it out
to the front of the chamber; wipes out the bore; rein-
serts the sponge along the upper side of the bore as far
as the chamber; draws it entirely out, pressing it upon
the lower side of the bore; turns the sponge over
towards the embrazure; and presents the rammer-head
ART. 1.] 8-INCH SIEGE HOWITZER. ^
against the right side of the face of the piece, holding
the staff in both hands, backs down.
No. 2, as soon as the sponging is completed, takes
the tongs and occupies a position at the muzzle corres-
ponding to that prescribed for no. 1 on the right; turns
to his left on the right heel, advancing the left foot, and
presents the tongs in both hands, the left hand nearest
him, the tongs opened, their legs in the same vertical
plane.
No. 4 takes out the cartridge and inserts it as far as
its middle in the tongs, choke foremost, the seam down-
wards; removes the stopper from, and inserts the fuze
into, the fuze plug; scrapes its end; and takes the
wiper.
No. 2, having received the cartridge in the tongs,