Artillery Camp layout while on the campaign

[Jeffrey Cohen]

Does anyone hasve any info. on how an artillery camp would be set up while on the march? That is while stoped for the day or night.
I've read where soldiers would spread their tarps on their limber poles, but I'm wondering what the officers did.
I'd like to make an event I'm doing a little bit better.
Regards,
Jeffrey Cohen

[hta1970]

Re: Artillery Camp layout while on the campaign

Jeffery,

Good question. I have not looked into this subject yet, but I do recall that Andrews manual contains a "regulation" artillery battery camp layout.

[Charles Heath]

Re: Artillery Camp layout while on the campaign

Jeff,

A brief section in Gilham's addresses this, although it is less than two pages. Also, there is a diagram, and the information about artillery on the march which follows afterwards is enjoyable reading. The material was most likely cribbed from another source in 1859.

[UnicornForge]

Re: Artillery Camp layout while on the campaign

My humble understanding is that while on campaign, during the rain the only thing covered by canvas was the equipment, so it was under the equipment that campaigners slept. Tents were put up on campaign, that is why generals, and the wounded, at Gettysburg were most likely sheltered when possible in buildings.

[paulcalloway]

Re: Artillery Camp layout while on the campaign

My humble understanding is that while on campaign, during the rain the only thing covered by canvas was the equipment, so it was under the equipment that campaigners slept. Tents were put up on campaign, that is why generals, and the wounded, at Gettysburg were most likely sheltered when possible in buildings.

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[Brian Baird]

Re: Artillery Camp layout while on the campaign

The 1st Kentucky Battery, USV, which was in garrison during the Atlanta campaign, was ordered to be mounted for field service when Hood invaded Tenn. Captain Thomason, the commander, issued orders that at the halt for the evening, the canoneers were to erect the shelter tents while the drivers were talking care of the horses.

Brian Baird

[kevin]

Re: Artillery Camp layout while on the campaign

Hello,
As always seems the case, Billings' "Hardtack and Coffee" would be an excellent source as John Billings was an Artilleryman. Remember that the men would have pretty much made due as best they could with what they had, dependent upon the weather. Also, what one battery did may have been different from every other battery in the service.