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Petersburg National BattlefieldPeriod drawing of artillery being fired at siege of Petersbrug
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Petersburg National Battlefield
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Gabion

Gabion
Unites States Army Military Institute, Carlisle Barracks, PA

Cylindrical baskets open at both ends, placed upright and filled with dirt used to stabilize earthworks. Gabions were common sights among the numerous trenches of Petersburg as basic support systems of the extensive earthworks.


Gauntlets

Gauntlets

Gloves or gauntlets as artillerymen called them, were often worn by members of an artillery crew to protect their hands as they transported and fired the rounds.


Gunner's Haversack

Gunner's Haversack

Artillery crews used this leather bag to protect and carry the rounds for firing the gun. Artillery crews usually consisted of seven men who ran the drill for firing the cannon. The number five man on an artillery crew would recieve the round from the number six man stationed at the limber. Then the number five man would carry the round inside of the haversack, running to the muzzle of the cannon, before giving it to the number two man who placed it inside the muzzle.

Gunner's Pouch

Gunner's Pouch

The number four man of an artillery crew would wear this pouch containing a lanyard and friction primers for discharging the cannon. Sometimes the number three man of a crew would wear a pouch also, in case the number four man fell in battle.

President Lincoln and General Grant at the Wallace House  

Did You Know?
Union General-in-Chief Ulysses S. Grant and Army of the Potomac Commander George G. Meade met with Abraham Lincoln on April 3, 1865 at the Thomas Wallace house on Market Street in Petersburg. President Lincoln visited Petersburg again on April 7, 1865. (Petersburg National Battlefield)

Last Updated: January 06, 2008 at 13:18 EST