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THE ART of the Cannoneer

ARTILLERY ORGANIZATION: 

The primary Field Artillery unit was the Battery.  A Federal battery usually had 6 guns, while a Confederate battery had 4 guns.  It was commanded by a Captain and had approximately 70 - 100 men.  The battery was divided into 2-gun Sections, which were each commanded by a Lieutenant.  The sections could operate independently from the rest of the battery and gave the battery commander greater flexibility to meet localized threats or to use the terrain to his greatest advantage.

The smallest unit of the artillery was the Platoon and consisted of the Gun, Caisson (a 2-wheel cart which held 2 ammunition chests and a spare wheel) and their Limbers (a 2-wheeled cart which carried an ammunition chest containing 40 rounds and used to pull the gun or caisson).  It was commanded by a sergeant who was known as the "Chief of the Piece".  The gun crew was made up of 8 men - 7 Privates and the Gunner (a Corporal). Each man was trained so that he could perform every position on the gun.  

THE ART OF THE CANNONEER:

Firing an artillery piece required discipline and constant drilling.  Each position was designated by a number. When the Gunner gave the command to "Load", cannoneer #1 cleaned the barrel, as the #6 & #7 men prepared the round. Cannoneer #5 brought the round from the limber chest and gave it to #2. #2 then placed the round in the barrel, and #1 rammed the round home, as #3 covered the vent hole with his thumb to prevent air from escaping and igniting any smoldering embers. The Gunner then aimed the piece and commanded "Ready!" Cannoneer #3 punctured the powder bag with the vent pick, while #4 attached a primer to the hook on the end of the lanyard and placed the primer in the vent. The men took a step back from the gun, and, on the Gunner's command, "Fire!", #4 pulled the lanyard, discharging the piece. The process was then repeated.  A well-trained crew could fire two aimed shots in a minute - faster when they were closely pressed.

Last updated on: October 11, 2003
Written by: Interpretation Staff
http://www.nps.gov/peri/art2

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