Horses and artillery

[Booth]

First forum posting ever, long story short: I'm an equestrian artist interested in learning about and accurately portraying the operation of a CW battery in the field before or after an action; especially how the teams were manuevered into position, left the field, forded a stream, etc. Would like to get advice on sources or relatively nearby units who might let me observe a drill. (I'm in Columbus, GA and 500 mile radius is relatively nearby). I've read the recent threads about what types and size horses were used and was greatly enlightened. I stumbled across the Perryville battle by chance last fall and got bitten by the bug.

Booth Malone

[paulcalloway]

Re: Horses and artillery

Hello and welcome to the AC.

Gibbons Artillery Manual might be a good place to start. Chapter VI: Artillery Carriages, Material, ETC.

http://www.usregulars.com/gibbons/gibbons_intro.htm

[Lazarus Driver]

Re: Horses and artillery

I would start with Instruction for Field Artillery by French, Barry, and Hunt.
This is the book that will tell you all you want to know.

Bill Thomas
Driver
Lazarus Battery

[Lazarus Driver]

Re: Horses and artillery

Mr Malone
There will be a mounted platoon at Chickamauga in Sept. This would be a good op to see a unit and all the equipment up close.

Bill Thomas
Driver
Lazarus Battery

[Booth]

Re: Horses and artillery

Thanks for the references. I picked out a lot of useful information from Gibbons and will try to make the connection at Chickamauga this fall. Does anyone know of a memoir that discribes the everyday routine and experiences of a CW battery or artillerist (if that's the proper word).

Booth Malone

[vamick]

Re: Horses and artillery

Thanks for the references. I picked out a lot of useful information from Gibbons and will try to make the connection at Chickamauga this fall. Does anyone know of a memoir that discribes the everyday routine and experiences of a CW battery or artillerist (if that's the proper word).

Booth Malone

A GREAT book on this subject is 'Galloping Thunder" by Robert J Trout its an excellent account of the Stuart horse artillery comprised of mainly first person accounts via diarys letters ect..highly recommended even if I am a bit predejuced :)

[Marc]

Re: Horses and artillery

A few years back as part of a large living history at Gettysburg along with Potomac Legion members a group from the South participated and brought their horses and cannons up for the event. They do both Union and Confederate and have the horses. If I remember correctly they do an Indiana Union Battery. They are quite good and know their stuff. Perhaps someone can remember the unit on this board.

[roundshot]

Re: Horses and artillery

Probably this unit:http://bellsouthpwp.net/j/b/jbstuart/index.htm

Our unit likewise is a horse-drawn dual impression unit with two 10-pounder Parrott guns and a six pounder. Check out our website at: http://www.reillysbattery.org/

[Lazarus Driver]

Re: Horses and artillery

The unit is the 18th Indiana and is based out of Alabama. This is the unit that will be at Chickamauga later this year.

Bill Thomas
Driver
Lazarus Battery

[Marc]

Re: Horses and artillery

Thats the unit 18th Indiana, very knowledgable and a good group to work with and know.

[RJSamp]

Re: Horses and artillery

Does anyone know of a memoir that discribes the everyday routine and experiences of a CW battery or artillerist (if that's the proper word).

Booth Malone

"Hardtack & Coffee" by Billings, 1887.

[Marc]

Re: Horses and artillery

I would say "Hardtack and Coffee" is the premier book on an artillery battery as well as soldier life in general. It is a Bible for quite a few of us.