Artillery Men!

[Kerflumoxed]

Rate of Fire Notations.

From Gibbon's The Artillerist's Manual comes this quote (p. 250):

"Rapidity of Firing .-- Siege-mortars can be fired conveniently at the rate of twelve rounds an hour continuously; but they may, in case of need, be fired with greater rapidity. In general, the rate of firing depends on the calibre of the piece. A 24-pdr. takes about double the time to load and fire it that a 12-pdr. does."

For field-guns, 30 or 40 seconds are required for the 6-pdr., and one minute for a 12-pdr. The mean rate is about one shot per minute, but when close pressed, and firing at objects not difficult to hit, two or three shots per minute can be fired. " (The complete manual is online at http://www.civilwarartillery.com/books/GIBBON.PDF)

On another forum it was noted that Henry Jackson Hunt (Chief of Artillery, AoP)addressed the Rate of Fire: "At Fredericksburg it was 1 round every 3 minutes per gun. He issued that so the crews wouldn't deplete their Ordnance so rapidly. Also to make them be more deliberate and take aim. Finally, he issued a statement that a crew firing it's gun quicker then 1rd/3m would be charged with cowardice. Based on the premise that to do so would mean the crew was attempting to deplete it's supply so it could pull out of line for replenishment."

While I have not heard of the GB dynamic team's decision(s) regarding rate of fire, I would certainly support an increased rate, especially as the range to target increases, not to exceed 3 rounds per minute in light of the above documentation. However, not being familiar with game designs and limitations, I do not know if the automatic increasing of the rate of fire by types of guns and decreasing range of the target(s) is feasible.

One further observation, if I may: From An Artilleryman's Diary compiled by Private Jenkin Lloyd Jones of the 6th Wisconsin Battery from his wartime diary and published in 1914 comes notation of the process of bringing the battery into "Action - FRONT." Jones was normally a driver for a 12 pound howitzer and notes that this command was shortened to simply "Action" when entering combat. He also notes that the drivers would swing the team(s) in a wide arc and deliver the gun with the muzzle pointing towards the enemy, thereby enabling the gun to enter action more quickly!

FWIW - Enjoy! :blink:

[Kerflumoxed]

Kerflumoxed wrote:

Rate of Fire Notations.

From Gibbon's The Artillerist's Manual comes this quote (p. 250):

"Rapidity of Firing .-- Siege-mortars can be fired conveniently at the rate of twelve rounds an hour continuously; but they may, in case of need, be fired with greater rapidity. In general, the rate of firing depends on the calibre of the piece. A 24-pdr. takes about double the time to load and fire it that a 12-pdr. does."

For field-guns, 30 or 40 seconds are required for the 6-pdr., and one minute for a 12-pdr. The mean rate is about one shot per minute, but when close pressed, and firing at objects not difficult to hit, two or three shots per minute can be fired. " (The complete manual is online at http://www.civilwarartillery.com/books/GIBBON.PDF)

On another forum it was noted that Henry Jackson Hunt (Chief of Artillery, AoP)addressed the Rate of Fire: "At Fredericksburg it was 1 round every 3 minutes per gun. He issued that so the crews wouldn't deplete their Ordnance so rapidly. Also to make them be more deliberate and take aim. Finally, he issued a statement that a crew firing it's gun quicker then 1rd/3m would be charged with cowardice. Based on the premise that to do so would mean the crew was attempting to deplete it's supply so it could pull out of line for replenishment."

While I have not heard of the GB dynamic team's decision(s) regarding rate of fire, I would certainly support an increased rate, especially as the range to target increases, not to exceed 3 rounds per minute in light of the above documentation. However, not being familiar with game designs and limitations, I do not know if the automatic increasing of the rate of fire by types of guns and decreasing range of the target(s) is feasible.

One further observation, if I may: From An Artilleryman's Diary compiled by Private Jenkin Lloyd Jones of the 6th Wisconsin Battery from his wartime diary and published in 1914 comes notation of the process of bringing the battery into "Action - FRONT." Jones was normally a driver for a 12 pound howitzer and notes that this command was shortened to simply "Action" when entering combat. He also notes that the drivers would swing the team(s) in a wide arc and deliver the gun with the muzzle pointing towards the enemy, thereby enabling the gun to enter action more quickly!

FWIW - Enjoy! :blink:

Here is a posting from a previous discussion on this forum that might be interesting regarding rate-of-fire.

J

[Hancock the Superb]

I hope that unlimbering will take much less time. From what I've heard, guns would be unhitched, and a) be dragged into position, which should account as movement, not unlimbering, or b) limbers move to the rear, where the gun just needs ammunition and it can start firing. It was extremely length in TC2M and I believe it is unrealistic.

[BOSTON]

Hancock the Superb wrote:

I hope that unlimbering will take much less time. From what I've heard, guns would be unhitched, and a) be dragged into position, which should account as movement, not unlimbering, or b) limbers move to the rear, where the gun just needs ammunition and it can start firing. It was extremely length in TC2M and I believe it is unrealistic.

another unrealistic feature about artillery in TC2M is the waundering guns to the CO after being resupplied. Often I would resupply a battery, just to see it get all disorganized, TC all the guns back to where they should be, only to see them rout from incoming fire while doing so.

[Kerflumoxed]

Hancock the Superb wrote:

I hope that unlimbering will take much less time. From what I've heard, guns would be unhitched, and a) be dragged into position, which should account as movement, not unlimbering, or b) limbers move to the rear, where the gun just needs ammunition and it can start firing. It was extremely length in TC2M and I believe it is unrealistic.

Actually, General Hancock, it was much easier! Gun crews (including the drivers of the limber) were instructedtrained to bring the guns into position with the muzzle facing the enemy and THEN they were unhitched, such as in Action Front! The limber was then driven to the rear and faced "about" with the horses/drivers facing the enemy and behind the gun, I suppose, to "protect" the limber from direct enemy fire.

Depending upon how much information you desire regarding field artillery during the war, here is a website with a free download of the Field Artillery Tactics.

http://www.archive.org/details/instruct ... 00deptgoog

One can also purchase reprints of the Field Artillery Tactics, 1864, from Amzaon, Barnes & Noble, etc.

Another source of info can be found in Gilham's Volunteer Manual.

I believe this issue was discussed some 6 months ago and Jim indicated he would address possible alterations to the current TC2M system.

Hope this helps.

J :woohoo:

[Hancock the Superb]

That seems to be just what I said for choice B.

[Kerflumoxed]

Hancock the Superb wrote:

That seems to be just what I said for choice B.

Ah, then it must just be my inability to grasp your explanation and/or descriptong. My apologies!

J

[Hancock the Superb]

That is no problem.

[Kerflumoxed]

As I was skimming some of the oratories in the "New York at Gettysburg" book I mentioned in another thread, I came across the following description of Battery B of the 1st New York Light Artillery and their service during Pickett's Charge at which they lost 11 killed and 16 wounded as part of the 2nd Corps Artillery Reserve:

"There is little need to describe Pickett's charge across the fields before us, so often described by actors and spectators, and so well remembered by some of you. Checked here and there by the fire of infantry and artillery, seriously impeded by Stannard's attack on their right flank, this column of brave men had yet impetus enough to reach the spot at which they aimed. Only to reach it...but not to conquer. As they came up one of our own men loades his gun with three-fold charge of canister and discharged it, overturning the gun in its recoil, but dealing deather amid the opposing ranks. Double canister was fired by you and the neighboring batteries until the last moment. Walter Bogan, now present, having the honor of firing the last gun. These rapid, deadly discharges opened great gaps in the advancing host, only to be filled up again. The enemy swept ovr all obstacles and around the pieces, and for the first and last time in the history of Pettit's Battery, the hands of the foe were laid upon its guns. It was for a brief moment, but one brave mand could not even endure that brief possession. Sergeant Darveau fired his revolver at the foe as they came on and when an officer planted his colors on a gun, exclaiming, "This is ours!", he retorted, "You lie!", seized a trail handspike and struck him full across the forehead, killing him on the spot. Darvean himself fell instantly, riddled with bullets. It was daring deed, if a needless sacrifice. For now the Union lines closed fast around the brave Confederate, escape was cut off, and there was no aid at hand. A few moments more, and all who were not dead were prisoners. The men took their places at their guns, but no second charge followed, and no further storm of shot and shell swept across the valley. The battle of Gettysburg had been fought and won."

In the complete oration, W. O. Beauchamp quotes Henry Hunt, Federal Chief of Artillery notes the lack of availability of "long-range" shot and shell. Rather, many batteries stretching along that 2-mile front of artillery had only canister for use.

J

[BOSTON]

Kerflumoxed wrote:

As I was skimming some of the oratories in the "New York at Gettysburg" book I mentioned in another thread, I came across the following description of Battery B of the 1st New York Light Artillery and their service during Pickett's Charge at which they lost 11 killed and 16 wounded as part of the 2nd Corps Artillery Reserve:

"There is little need to describe Pickett's charge across the fields before us, so often described by actors and spectators, and so well remembered by some of you. Checked here and there by the fire of infantry and artillery, seriously impeded by Stannard's attack on their right flank, this column of brave men had yet impetus enough to reach the spot at which they aimed. Only to reach it...but not to conquer. As they came up one of our own men loades his gun with three-fold charge of canister and discharged it, overturning the gun in its recoil, but dealing deather amid the opposing ranks. Double canister was fired by you and the neighboring batteries until the last moment. Walter Bogan, now present, having the honor of firing the last gun. These rapid, deadly discharges opened great gaps in the advancing host, only to be filled up again. The enemy swept ovr all obstacles and around the pieces, and for the first and last time in the history of Pettit's Battery, the hands of the foe were laid upon its guns. It was for a brief moment, but one brave mand could not even endure that brief possession. Sergeant Darveau fired his revolver at the foe as they came on and when an officer planted his colors on a gun, exclaiming, "This is ours!", he retorted, "You lie!", seized a trail handspike and struck him full across the forehead, killing him on the spot. Darvean himself fell instantly, riddled with bullets. It was daring deed, if a needless sacrifice. For now the Union lines closed fast around the brave Confederate, escape was cut off, and there was no aid at hand. A few moments more, and all who were not dead were prisoners. The men took their places at their guns, but no second charge followed, and no further storm of shot and shell swept across the valley. The battle of Gettysburg had been fought and won."

In the complete oration, W. O. Beauchamp quotes Henry Hunt, Federal Chief of Artillery notes the lack of availability of "long-range" shot and shell. Rather, many batteries stretching along that 2-mile front of artillery had only canister for use.

J

BOSTON wrote:

Kerflumoxed wrote:
[

And be sure to have plenty of canister on hand.... :woohoo:

Without a doubt there was rifled cannister at GB! But through a undisclosed report that there was'nt any rifled cannons at GB! :laugh: :laugh: B) [/quote]