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Bronze Guns
& Iron Men | The Art of the Cannoneer |
The Guns | The Ammunition |
ARTILLERY Ammunition
The ammunition consisted of two parts - the projectile and the powder. The powder was pre-measured and was placed in flannel bags. For smoothbore guns, the projectile was strapped to a wooden plate (sabot), which stabilized it as it moved down the barrel and prevented it from tumbling through the air. The powder bag was tied to the sabot. For rifled artillery, the powder bag and projectile were separate. There were four types of artillery projectile:
SHOT |
A solid iron ball fired by smoothbore artillery. Its smashing effect was used against opposing batteries, wagons, buildings as well as against infantry and cavalry. A skillful gunner could cause the shot to skip across the ground in front of advancing troops, causing it to throw rocks, dirt and debris. At Pea Ridge, Federal gunners fired shot into the rocky ridge that the Confederates were sheltering in, causing the projectile to shatter when it hit the trees or rock face. These fragments multiplied the shot's killing power. Rifled weapons fired an elongated projectile called a bolt. These were particularly effective against material targets but were not as effective against men and animals. They tended to bury themselves as soon as they hit the ground. |
COMMON SHELL |
A hollow projectile filled with an explosive compound. A fuse caused the shell to explode after a specified amount of time. The shell would explode in the air, showering the ground with fragments. This was used against both infantry and cavalry. The 6-pound Field Gun did not fire this type of ammunition. |
SPHERICAL CASE |
Similar to the common shell, this had thinner walls and was filled with small lead or iron balls, called case shot. The case shot scattered over a wide area when the projectile burst, giving it an added killing effect. This was used against both men and animals. |
CANISTER |
A tin cylinder filled with 27 iron balls. It was fired at extremely close range (less than 400 yards) against attacking infantry or cavalry. At ranges of less than 200 yards, 2 and 3 rounds of canister were fired at once. The effect of a canister round firing was similar to a giant shotgun blast. |
Bronze Guns & Iron Men | The Art of the Cannoneer | The Guns | The Ammunition Battlefield Tour | Federal Commanders | Confederate Commanders | Federal Order of Battle | Confederate Order of Battle | Battleflags | Infantry | Artillery | Cavalry | A Question of Supplies | Surgeons | The Medal of Honor | The Telegraph Road | The Trail of Tears |
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Last updated
on:
October 11, 2003
Written by: Interpretation Staff
http://www.nps.gov/peri/art4
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