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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

[RJSamp]

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]

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.