ARTILLERY RELOADING TIME

[BOSTON]

J

Like your articles, especially the one about Cushing, the stories, one seldom hears. The quest I have been on about rifled cannister has gotten a lot closer to being a moot point. Went online about those Army Regs., everything is for sale, it's info I can live without (for now). The volume of literature you have about the Civil War makes me envious. Certainly for research would be an asset to anybody, besides good reading.

AG

Looked up pictures of artillery amunitions to see what you discribed, never knew that artillery shots would be bundled together like that. Some look like they are strapped together. I'm not retreating yet! I think I see reinforcements off in the distance. :laugh:

BOSTON

[Armchair General]

BOSTON wrote:

J


AG

Looked up pictures of artillery amunitions to see what you discribed, never knew that artillery shots would be bundled together like that. Some look like they are strapped together. I'm not retreating yet! I think I see reinforcements off in the distance. :laugh:

BOSTON

They looked strapped-on because they are strapped on. The 'straps' are known as sabots.

[BOSTON]

Armchair General wrote:


They looked strapped-on because they are strapped on. The 'straps' are known as sabots.[/quote]

Now I can see the reason why fixed shot would speed up the reloading time of an artillery unit, by eliminating a step. With all this known info, will it be reflected in the reloading time in the new GB game?

[Gfran64]

For what it's worth,



Battle Report Filed By Capt. A. Judson Clark, Commander of the

2nd Battery B Light Artillery



NEAR BEVERLY FORD, VA.,
August 14, 1863.

CAPTAIN: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by this battery in the engagement near Gettysburg, July 2:

Early on the morning of July 2, the battery was moved to the front, and placed in the second, near the left, of the line of batteries. About 9.30 a.m. the battery, by your orders, was moved to the front and left, and placed in line on the rise of ground midway between General Sickles' headquarters and the peach orchard, on the Emmitsburg road, where we remained until about 2 p.m. At this time the enemy's infantry was discovered passing in column across the Emmitsburg road to our left and front, and distant about 1,400 yards, and, by direction of General Sickles, I placed my battery in position, and opened fire upon their position, using shell and case shot, firing very slowly and apparently with good effect, as, after some 6 or 7 rounds, the columns had entirely disappeared, and no more were seen to pass that point.

Nothing more transpired until about 3 p.m. (at this time the battery was in line at the foot of the next slope, near the peach orchard), when a rebel battery, which had just been placed in position near a house on the Emmitsburg road, about 1,400 yards to our front, opened fire on my position, and I was ordered by you to go back and attack the battery. This I did, using shell and case shot, and, after a pretty short fight, silenced the battery, but only for a short time, when they opened again, as did other batteries which they had brought into position on my right. From this time until night the fire from them was rapid and severe.

About 3.30 p.m. the enemy's infantry commenced moving down from our front and right in strong columns, under cover of a heavy artillery fire, and the fire soon became sharp and obstinate. I immediately opened on them with shell and case shot, but although the fire seemed very destructive, opening large gaps in their ranks, it only temporarily checked them, and they pressed steadily on. I continued firing case and shell, however, at the column, and, later in the fight, into the woods on my immediate front and left, in which the enemy were pushing our troops, that seeming to be at the time the main point of their attack.

About 6.30 p.m. another of the enemy's columns commenced moving across my front, and distant about 350 yards, when I began firing canister, doing great execution, throwing the column wholly into confusion, and causing it to seek shelter behind the slope of a hill just beyond them. By this time our infantry on both sides had fallen back, as had also several batteries, when, having no supports, I deemed it best to retire, which I did, to near the ground occupied the previous evening. In the battle of the following day the battery was not engaged.

I was obliged to leave one caisson and one caisson body on the field for the want of horses to bring them off, but subsequently recovered them.

My loss in men was as follows: One man killed, 16 men wounded, and 3 missing, 2 of whom are known to be prisoners. I had 17 horses killed, and 5 disabled so badly that I was obliged to abandon them.

Of the conduct of the officers and men, I can only say that it was in the highest degree commendable for courage and bravery.

I am, captain, your obedient servant,

A. JUDSON CLARK,

Captain First New Jersey Artillery, Comdg. Battery B.

Capt. GEO. E. RANDOLPH,

Chief of Artillery, Third Corps.


They had 10lb Parrotts

Greg B)

[BOSTON]

Greg

With all the evidence supporting rifled cannister at GB, I've reached my personal "Alamo" of thinking otherwize. I can hear the drums of the final charge, God damn it! "Where's those white bed sheets?" :laugh:

BOSTON

[BOSTON]

Started a Bank's scenario (TC2M) this morning, popped up the info on the different artillery units, noticed the reloading speed was not measured in seconds, minutes, ect.
Does anybody know if that and other attributes will change in GB?

[Kerflumoxed]

BOSTON wrote:

Armchair General wrote:


They looked strapped-on because they are strapped on. The 'straps' are known as sabots.

Now I can see the reason why fixed shot would speed up the reloading time of an artillery unit, by eliminating a step. With all this known info, will it be reflected in the reloading time in the new GB game? [/quote]

From the "For What Its Worth" department, the "...sabots are made of poplar, bass-wood, or other light, close-grained wood; it must be well-seasoned, and should be clear of knots and splits." (U.S. Ordnance Manual, 1862) The sabot was positioned between the powder bag and the round (canister, shot, et.al.)

From the same manual: "Straps are madee of sheet tin. For shot there are two straps crosing at right angles, on passing through a slit in the middle of the other. For shells there are four traps fastened to a ring of sheet tin, pierced with 4 slits...etc."

Hope this clarifies.

J

[Kerflumoxed]

For those interested, here is an on-site copy of the history of the 1st NJ Battery B:

http://books.google.com/books?id=3c6Q9L ... q=&f=false

Enjoy!

J

[Gfran64]

Thanks Jack!

Really enjoying it.

Greg B)

[Kerflumoxed]

Gfran64 wrote:

Thanks Jack!

Really enjoying it.

Greg B)

It is amazing what is on the net these days! I just wish I could afford to print them out and read them in my favorite chair by the fireplace....and, no, I don't have laptop. Choice to be made...new computer for the GB game or a laptop for leisure reading? Can they be one and the same? HMMMMMMMmmmm

Best regards

J