placing the trunnion-ring, or chain, around the cascable.
270. The limber makes a powerful lever, and may
be used as such in many cases. If the weight to be
raised is too high to apply the trunnion-ring from the
pintle, the pole should be turned over so as to bring the
pintle below, (first reversing the linch-pins,) and apply
the rear end of the fork under the weight to be raised.
Vo »leu) the gun,
271. If the vent is not uppermost, the instructor
commands :
Slew the piece to the left (or right) — Heave.
The gunner passes a trunnion-loop over one of the
trunnions, and inserts the handspike of no. 3 or 4,
according to the side on which he acts.
If the piece is to be slewed to the left, he is assisted
in heaving by nos. 1 and 5. Nos. 2 and 6 chock the
piece on the left by placing their handspikes horizon-
ART. 2.] PRELIMINARY MANffiUVRES. 119
tally upon the blocks, and perpendicularly to the axis,
the butt ends against the piece, beveled sides up. Nos.
3 and 4 attend to taking out and replacing the chocks.
If the piece is to be slewed to the right, nos. 2 and
6 assist the gunner, and nos. 1 and 5 chock with their
handspikes.
Heaving the piece upon these handspikes causes it
to turn upon its axis in its place.
Vo move the gn» thort diatancea to the front or rear,
272. Place the blocks under the middle of the chase
and reinforce, and lay two skids under the trunnions,
parallel to the axis of the piece. Nos. 5 and 6 embar
under the rear or front of the trunnions, and move the
piece to the front or rear.
Vo §not>e the gun »hort Matances by rolling it,
273. Place a skid under the middle of the reinforce,
and another under the middle of the chase, and roll the
gun over on its axis. By inclining the skids as required,
and slewing the muzzle to suit, it may be moved in dif-
ferent directions.
Vo roil the gun up an inclined plane,
274. Additional implements required :
4 Skids.
2 Single prolonged.
The gun is on two blocks at the foot of the ramp, its
axis perpendicular to the direction of the ramp, and
the muzzle turned to the side on which there is most
room.
275. Nos. 3 and 4 and 5 and 6 lay two skids parallel
to each other, and perpendicular to the axis of the
piece, at the middle of the chase and reinforce; they
120 MECHANICAL MANCEUVRES. [PART 2.
then lay the other skids in the prolongation of the first.
Nos. 1 and 2 embar under the piece with their hand-
spikes;* chock the piece when necessary; and throw
forward the chase when required. Nos. 3 and 4 lay
the ropes on each side of the lower trunnion, and
assist the chief of detachment and gunner to overhaul
one end of each. These ends are passed over the
piece, one a few inches in front and the other the same
distance in rear of its trunnions, and three turns taken
around the piece, the turns gaining towards the trun-
nions; just enough of the ropes being overhauled for
the men to take hold of their ends.
All the men, except nos. 1 and 2 and the gunner,
haul upon the ropes.
The odd numbers haul upon the right rope — i. e. the
rope on the right of one who, hauling either rope, faces
towards the piece — the even numbers upon the left.
The gunner holds in his hand the slack of both ropes.
Heave and haul.
276. All act together and roll the piece up the skids
until it beccmes necessary to rectify the diagonal direc-
tion it will assume.
277. As the breech gains on the muzzle, the in-
structor commands:
Halt — Slew forward the chase.
The numbers who act on the rope towards the rein-
force cease hauling. Nos. 1 and 2 with their hand-
spikes (or crowbars) assist the other numbers to throw
forward the chase.
♦Crowbars curved at the butt ends, and beveled, are better for
this operation.
ART. 2.] PRELIMINARY MAN(EUVRES. |^
f Halt — Shift the skids.
278. Nos. 1 and 2 chock the piece with the butts of
their handspikes. Nos. 3, 4, 5 and 6 shift the skids,
passing them over the piece.
279. When the slack of the rope has been drawn
out, the instructor directs nos. 1 and 2 to chock the
piece, and commands:
Overhaul the ropes.
The men nearest to the piece slack the turns, while
the gunner and chief of detachment haul all the slack,
except enough for the men to hold on by, to the lower
side of the piece.
11
'41
122 MECHANICAL MANCEUVRES. [PART 2.
liESSON XVIIl.
•4 JBowiixer lying upon the ground to place "blocks under
the chase and reinforce^
Vo remove tite blocks,
Vo raise tite howitxer upon its tnuxsle,
Vo slew the howitzer while standing upon its ntuxxle.
280. The implements necessary are :
5 Blocki».
1 Half block.
6 Oun chocks.
3 Wheel chocks.
1 Trace-rope.
2 Trunnion-loops.
•4 Howitzer lying upon the ground to place blocks under
the chase and reinforce,
281. The instructor commands:
Raise the chase — Heave — Ease away.
Nos. 1 and 2 insert their handspikes eighteen inches
in the bore, which the gunner chocks above with a
wheel chock. Nos. 7 and 8 assist nos. 1 and 2. No.
4, assisted by no. 3, places a block under the chase, as
near the trunnions as it will go, and chocks.
art. 2.] preliminary manoeuvres. 133
Lower the chase — Heave — Ease away.
282. Nos. 1 and 2 shift the wheel chock below their
handspikes, and bear down the muzzle. Nos. 4 and 3
place a block under the breech, and chock. The gun-
ner lifts at the knob of the cascable and steadies the
breech.
Vo rentore tite hlocUs,
283. The blocks are removed in the inverse way to
the foregoing, by the same commands.
Vo raUe the hotmitxer upon its muxsMe,
284. The howitzer is lying upon two blocks, one un-
der the front of the trunnions, the other under the
breech.
285. The instructor commands :
Raise the chase — Heave — Ease away-
The chase is raised as in No. 281. A half block is
placed upon the front block, and the piece is chocked.
Lower the chase — Heave — Ease away.
286. The chase is lowered as in no. 282. A block is
placed upon the rear block.
Raise the chase — Heave — Ease away.
287. A block is added to the front scaffold, the half
block topmost.
Lower the chase — Heave — Ease away.
288. A block is placed upon the rear scaffold.
Nos. 3 and 4 alternate in placing the blocks — no. 4
1^ MECHANICAL MANOEUVRES. [PART %
placing the first — and carefully attend to the chocks.
Nos. 5 and 6 steady the scaffolds with their handspikes.
Lower the muzzle — Heave — Ease away.
289. No. 1 takes out the wheel chock. Nos. 5 and 6
embar under the front of the trunnions, to steady the
rear scaffold. Nos. 3 and 4 take the two blocks of the
front scaffold and place them side by side, parallel with
the axis of the piece, their rear ends about two inches
in rear of the muzzle. Nos. 1, 2, 7 and 8 carefully
allow the muzzle to rest upon the blocks.
Raise the breech.
290. The gunner attaches the rope by the middle
with a double hitch to the knob of the cascable; crosses
the ends on the highest point of the base-ring, and
passes them to nos. 7, 8, 9 and 10. No. 2 places the
middle of his handspike under the knob of the casca-
ble, and is assisted to lift by the gunner and nos. 1, 3
and 4. Nos. 5 and 6 embar under the breech.
Heave and haul.
291. They act steadily and carefully together and
raise the piece on its muzzle upon the blocks.
iVo »lew the hawitxer white atattding upon its tnuxzte*
.292. The instructor commands:
Slew the piece.
The gunner passes the trunnion-loops over the trun-
nions, into which nos. 1 and 2 insert their handspikes
horizontally, and pull at the small ends. Nos. 5 and 6
keep the blocks in their places, chocking them with
their handspikes.
293. When it is desired to lay the howitzer on the
ground, it is pushed over on planks laid to receive it.
ART. 2.] PRELlMINARr MANOEUVRES. ^f
liESSON XIX.
•^ Jftortar tying wpou the ground to raise it upon it$
tnuxxte.
TTo siett) the utortar.
To $te*p the ntortar-bed.
^4. The implement necessary is:
1 Trace-rope.
•€ JfKortar tying upott the ground to raise it upon its
ntusxte,
295. The instructor commands :
Raise the mortar upon its muzzle.
The gunner, taking the two ends of the rope, passes
them under and up over the trunnions to the front, and
hands them to nos. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10, who haul
upon them, keeping them parallel with the axis of the
piece. Nos. 1 and 2, facing to the front, embar under
the trunnions. Nos. 3 and 4, passing to the rear of nos.
1 and 2, stand ready to embar under the mortar as soon
as its elevation will permit.
Heave and haul.*
296. They act steadily together and raise the mortar
upon its muzzle.
11»
126 MECHANICAL MAN(EUVRES. [PART 2.
Vo slew the tnortar,
297. The instructor commands:
Slew the piece to the right (or left).
Nos. 1 and 2 lay the butt ends of their handspikes
upon the trunnions, overlapping them by about an
inch, beveled sides up. The gunner lashes them to the
trunnions with the rope. Nos. 1 and 3 and 2 and 4
apply themselves to the small ends of the handspikes
to haul in opposite directions.
Heave.
298. The mortar is turned round upon its axis. By
alternately bearing down upon one handspike and haul-
ing upon the other, it is moved in any direction that the
instructor may direct.
Vo slew the ntortar-hed,
299. The bed is either with or without its mortar.
300. The instructor commands:
Slew the bed to the right (or left).
Nos. 1 and 3, facing to the front, embar under the
rear notches, no. 3 under the inside of the left notch.
Nos. 2 and 4, facing to the front, embar under the front
notches, no. 2 under the inside of the right notch.
Heave.
301. They act together and by repeated efforts the
bed is turned round in its place.
302. To slew the bed to the left, nos. 1 and 3 embar
under the front notches, and nos. 2 and 4 under the
rear notches.
ART. 2.] PRELIMINARY MANOEUVRES. 127
liESSON XX.
Vo place a long roller under a ntortar-hed*
Vo remove the long roller.
303. The implements necessary are;
1 liOng; roller.
1 Block.
* 3 Half blocks.
3 Quarter blocks,
a l^heel chocks.
2 Boiler chocks.
Vo place a long roller under a tnetriar-bed,
304. The mortar is on its bed, and the bed upon the
ground.
305. The instructor commands:
Raise the right cheek.
No. 1 embars under the notch nearest to him, per-
pendicularly to the cheek, and is assisted by no. 7.
No. 5 embars in like manner under the rear notch,
assisted by no. 9.
Heave.
306. No. 3 places a half block lengthwise under the
cheek, its middle five inches in rear of the vertical
19B MECHANICAL MANCEUVRES. [PART 2.
diameter of the trunnions, and then a quarter block in
the same direction, its middle under the front notch.
Ease away.
307. The cheek is lowered upon the half block.
Raise the left cheek — Heave — Ease away.
308. No. 2, assisted by no. 8, embars under the front
notch. No. 6, assisted by no. 10, embars under the
rear notch. No. 4 places a half block and a quarter
block in the same way as under the right cheek, and
the bed is allowed to rest upon the two half blocks.
Raise the trail.
309. The gunner places the block just in rear of the
middle transom, and upon it the two wheel chocks to
serve as fulcrums. Nos. 5 and 6, assisted by nos. 9
and 10, embar upon these chocks, under the middle
transom.
Heave.
310. No. 4, assisted by no. 3, places the long roller
upon the half blocks under the cheeks, and chocks it.
Ease away.
311. The bed is allowed to rest upon the quarter
blocks and long roller.
Vo reniore tite tong rolter.
The long roller and blocks are removed in the
inverse way.
ART. 2.] PRELIMINARY MANCEUVRES. 129
I^EISSON XXI.
To Umber,
To unlitnber.
To tnove a piece, ar Us carriage, to the front or rear,
Vo crogS'tift a piece.
Vo tintber,
312. The instructor commands :
Limber up.
No. 2 inserts his handspike in the bore, and is assisted
to bear down by no. 1. Nos. 3 and 4 chock the wheels
front and rear. No. 4 then crosses his handspike un-
der the stock, and is assisted to lift by nos. 3, 5 and 6;
nos. 5 and 6 next to the stock, facing to the rear, and
nos. 3 and 4 facing each other. The gunner, assisted
by nos. 7, 8, 9 and 10, bring up the limber.
Heave.
313. The trail is raised. Nos. 3 and 4, quitting the
handspikes, seize the wheels of the limber and direct
the pintle into the lunette. No. 3 gives the word
Forward — Back — Right — Left, according as he
wishes the limber to be moved, and when the pintle is
in hooks the lashing chain.
130 MECHANICAL MANCEUVRES. [PART 2.
Vo uniimber,
314. The instruclor commands :
Unlimeer.
Nos. 3 and 4 chock the wheels. No. 3 unhooks the
lashing chain. All apply themselves as in limbering.
Heave.
315. The trail is carefully raised to disengage the pin-
tle. Nos. 3 and 4 seize the limber wheels and, after
freeing the limber from the trail, assist nos. 5 and 6 to
lower the latter to the ground.
316. In limbering and unlimbering a howitzer, nos.
1 and 2 insert their handspikes in the bore.
317. If the carriage is without its piece, nos. 1 and
2 embar through the wheels and under the rear of the
cheeks.
Vo taove a piece, or its carriage, to tlie front or rear,
318. The instructor commands:
Piece (or carriage) to the front (or rear) —
Heave.
If the piece is unlimbered, nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4 embar
as in moving the piece to and from battery. Nos. 5
and 6 embar under the manoeuvring bolts. By repeated
efforts it is moved to the front or rear.
319. If the carriage, unlimbered, is without its
piece, nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4, or, when they are engaged,
nos. 7, 8, 9 and 10, apply themselves to the wheels by
hand. Nos. 5 and 6 embar under the manceuvring
bolts.
ART. 2.] PRELIMINARY MANCEUVRES. 1^1
320. If the piece is limbered, nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4 em-
bar at the hind wheels. Nos. 5 and 6 embar at the
fore wheels. Nos. 9 and 10 apply themselves by hand
to the fore wheels. Nos. 7 and 8 go to the splinter-
bar. The gunner directs the pole, and gives the com-
mand Heave at every effort.
321. If the carriage, limbered, is without its piece,
all apply themselves by hand at the positions designated
in no. 320.
X'o cross-iift a piece,
322. When it becomes necessary to move a carriage
short distances to the right or left, the instructor com-
mands:
Cross-lift to the right (or left).
Nos. 2 and 4 embar perpendicularly under the left
wheel. Nos. 1 and 3, crossing over, embar under the
inside of the right wheel.
Heave.
323. All act together and throw the carriage to the
right.
To move the carriage to the left, nos. 2 and 4 cross
over to the right side, and embar under the inside of
the left wheel.
324. When the piece is on its carriage, short pur
chases should be taken.
132 MECHANICAL MANOEUVRES. [PART 2.
liEI^SON XXII.
•# €rtctt being on ii» cat'riage to place a »hori roller under
the reinforce,
•^ Mowitxer being on it$ carriage to place a short roller
under the reinforce.
Vo remore tite short roller,
Vo insert Itandspikes in the trunnion holes,
TTo restore the handspikes.
325. The implements necessary are:
1 Short roller.
6 TTheel chocks.
3 Boiler chocks.
•if €fuu being on its carriage to place a short roller under
tite reinforce,
326. The piece is either limbered or unlimbered.
327. The instructor commands :
Lower the chase.
No. 2 inserts his handspike in the bore, and is
assisted to bear down by no. 1. Nos. 3 and 4 chock
the wheels front and rear; take off the cap-squares;
and then prepare to assist nos. 1 and 2 by applying
themselves to the handspike of no. 4, which is crossed
upon the muzzle, both facing to the rear. Nos. 5 and
6 embar between the cheeks and reinforce, as near the
ART. 2.] PRELIMINARY MAN(EUVRES. 133
trunnions as practicable. The gunner takes the short
roller and a chock, and advances to the reinforce.
Heave.
328. The chase is lowered. Nos. 1 and ^ thrust^the
handspike farther into the bore in proportion as the
muzzle nears the ground, and then apply themselves
to the handspike of no. 4. The gunner inserts the
short roller perpendicularly to the stock, its ends equi-
distant from the cheeks, as far under the trunnions»as
it will go, and chocks it.
Ease away.
329. The piece is carefully rested on the roller. The
gunner takes out the elevating screw, and places it in
rear of his post, resting it upright upon its handles.
To YOUR POSTS.
330. All resume their posts, no. 2 leaving his hand-
spike in the bore.
•M BoHfitxer being ot* it$ carriage to place a short roller
wttder the reinforce.
Executed as prescribed for a gun in no. 326 and fol-
lowing. The roller rests under the reinforce at its
junction with the recess. The gunner removes and
returns the quoin.
Vo remove the short roller*
331. The instructor commands:
Lower the chase.
Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 apply themselves as in no.
327. The gunner replaces the elevating screw.
12
134 mechanical manceuvres. [part 2»
Heave.
332. The chase is lowered sufficiently to enable the
gunner to remove the roller.
* Ease away.
333. The base-ring is carefully rested on the ele-
vating screw.
To YOUR POSTS.
334. Nos. 3 and 4 unchock the wheels, and put on
the cap-squares. The implements are replaced, and
all resume their posts.
Vo insert handspihes in tite trunnion hotea,
335. The instructor causes a short roller to be placed
under the reinforce, as prescribed in no. 326 and fol-
lowing, and then commands:
Raise the chase.
No. 4 passes his handspike under that of no. 2.
Nos. 5 and 6 stand ready near the trunnions to insert
their handspikes.
Heave — Ease A^VAY.
336. Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4 raise the chase. Nos. 5
and 6 run the butts of their handspikes under the trun-
nions, beveled sides to the front, the ends resting
against the rimbases. The trunnions are allowed to
rest upon the butts of the handspikes.
To YOUR POSTS.
337. All resume their posts, nos. 5 and 6 leaving
their handspikes in the trunnion holes.
f ART. 2.] PRELIMINARY MANCEUVRES. 135
Vo retnaoe the handapikes,
338. The instructor commands:
Raise the chase — Heave — Ease away.
Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4 raise the chase to enable nos. 5
and 6 to take out the handspikes, and then ease the
trunnions into their holes.
The instructor then causes the short roller to be
removed as in no. 331 and following.
136 MECHANICAL MANCEUVRES. [PART 2.
1.ESSON XXIII.
To ahift n €h*n from tite trunnion holes to its traveUing
bed.
Vo shift a Gun from its travelling bed to the trunnion
holes,
To shift a Howitser from the trunnion holes to its travel'
ling bed.
To shift a Howitzer from its travelling bed to the trnn^
nion holes,
Vo change a limber when the gun or howitxer is on its
travelling bed,
Vo citange the limber of a loaded ntortar-wagon.
( Plates XXIV and XXV. )
339. The implements necessary are:
1 Short roller.
4 Blocks.
1 Half block.
6 irheel chocks.
1 Trace-rope.
ZV» shift a Gum from the trunnion holes to its travelling
bed,
340. The instructor having caused the piece to be
limbered, commands:
Place the short roller under the reinforce.
Executed as in no. 326 and following.
art. 2.] preliminary manoeuvres. 137
Attach the rope.
341. The gunner attaches the rope by its middle with
a double hitch to the knob of the cascable, and, passing
its ends to nos. 7, 8, 9 and 10, stands ready to haul
down upon it, and guide the breech into the bolster.
No. 3 sees that the lashing-chain is hooked. Nos. 4
and 6 cross their handspikes under that of no. 2, no. 6
next to the muzzle, and are assisted by nos. 3 and 5
respectively.
Shift the piece — Heave and haul.
342. Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 lift smartly and push
at the muzzle, and the piece is hauled until the trun-
nions are over their travelling position.
Remove the short roller — Raise the chase.
343. No. 2 chocks his handspike above. Nos. 7 and
8 go to the assistance of nos. 3 and 4, and nos. 9 and
10 to the assistance of nos. 5 and 6; all facing towards
the muzzle. The gunner places himself under the
chase at the head of the stock.
Heave — Ease aw at.
344. The chief of detachment moves out the roller,
which is stopped by the gunner on the head of the
stock, and the chase is lowered upon it. The men at
the handspikes take a new hold.
Heave — Ease away.
345. The gunner takes out the roller, and the chase
is lowered upon the stock.
To YOUR posts.
^ 346. The gunner takes off the rope. Nos. 3 and 4
12*
138 MECHANICAL MAN(EUVRES. [PART 2.
put on the cap-squares and unchock the wheels. _ The
implements are replaced, and all resume their posts.
Vo shift a Gun front its travetUng bed to the trunnion
holes,
347. The instructor commands:
Place the short roller under the chase.
Nos. 3 and 4 chock the wheels front and rear. The
short roller is inserted under the chase, and rolled back
until it rests under the trunnions, by the means and
commands prescribed for its removal in no. 343 and
following. The gunner attaches the rope by its middle
to the knob of the cascable, and passes its ends to nos.
7, 8, 9 and 10. No. 4 crosses his handspike above that
of no. 2.
Shift the piece — Heave.
348. Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4 bear down at the muzzle,
and, as the piece rolls forward, guide the trunnions into
their holes.
The short roller is then removed as in no. 331 and
following.
Vo shift a BEowitser from the trunnion holes to its travel^
ling- bed.
To shift a Wowitxer front its travelling bed to the trunm
nion holes »
349. Executed as for the gun, except in removing
and placing the short roller by the chase, which is
done as follows:
Nos. 3 and 4 each hands a wheel chock to no. 2, who
places one about eighteen inches in the bore under the
butt end of his handspike, and the other in the muzzle
above the handspike. No. 4 crosses his handspike un-
der that of no. 2. Nos. I, 2, 3 and 4 raise the chase,
while the gunner removes or places the short roller.
ART. 2.] PRELIMINARY MANOEUVRES. 139
In placing the short roller its vertical diameter should
rest just in advance of the rimbases.
Remarks,
350. When the howitzer is transported on its travel-
ling bed, a temporary bolster should be constructed to
support the breech. The short roller resting on a quar-
ter block lashed to the stock, and supporting the knob
of the cascable, may answer for this purpose.
351. If there is no place for the quoin under the
stock, it may be lashed on the trail in front of the bol-
ster; holes, or a groove, being made in its lower side
to admit the nuts of the lunette bolts.
352. The short roller (of which one should always
accompany every gun and howitzer) is suspended from
the knob of the cascable by a cord passed through it.
353. The elevating screw is run in on the lower side
of the stock, and held in its place by a lashing-strap.
354. The sponge and rammer are lashed upon the
piece, their heads projecting beyond the base-ring. A
convenient way of transporting them is by two iron
collars, containing hooks, buckled upon the breech and
chase.
355. The handspikes are placed against the cheeks,
three on each side.
356. A trace-rope should accompany each piece of
siege artillery. It will be found useful not only in
shifting the piece, but in lashing, and in extricating the
carriage and mortar-wagon from difficulties.
357. To accustom the men to prepare a piece for
travelling, the instructor may cause the implements to
be placed as above indicated. To do this, he will, be-
140 MECHANICAL MANffiUVRES. [PART 2.
fore resuming posts in the manoeuvre of shifting SLpiece
to its travelHng bed, command:
Put on the implements.
The gunner places the vent-cover, short roller, quoin,
elevating screw, and water bucket; if it be necessary
to lash the piece to its bed, he is assisted by nos. 1, 2,
3, 4, 5 and 6. No. 2 puts in the tompion. Nos, 1
and 2 fasten on the sponge and rammer, and, assisted
by nos. 3 and 4, put on the handspikes.
358. To prepare the piece for action the instructor
will, before shifting it to its trunnion-holes, command:
Remove the implements.
The same numbers that put up the implements
remove them.
Vo change a Umber when the gun or hmvitser is on iig
iravelling bed,
359. The instructor commands:
Change the limber.
Nos. 3 and 4 chock the rear wheels front and rear,
and build a scaffold of four blocks under and perpen-
dicular to the stock, just in rear of the bolster. The
gunner and nos. 7, 8, 9 and 10 raise the trail, by bear-
ing down on the pole, so as to allow no. 4 to place a