Chapter II: Preface

The following compilation originated in an attempt to adapt Lieut. Col. Burns’ “Questions and Answers on Artillery” to the United States service. The British Artillery being very different from ours, it was found necessary to omit many of Burns’ questions, and to introduce others.

The compiler is under great obligations to several of his brother officers at Fort Monroe (especially to Major Haskin, 1st Artillery), for their kindness in assisting him in the compilation of this little volume, and for important suggestions in the revision of many of the “answers.”

_Fort Monroe, Va._, 1860.

CONTENTS.

The pages refer to the sidenotes in the margin of the text.

_Page._

Preface, 5
General Table of Contents, 7

Part I., Section 1. On Artillery in General, 9
“ “ 2. On Guns, 26
“ “ 3. On Howitzers, 28
“ “ 4. On Columbiads, 30
“ “ 5. On Mortars, 31
“ “ 6. On Sea-coast Artillery, 35
“ “ 7. Siege Artillery, 36
“ “ 8. Field Guns and Field Batteries, 40

Part II. “ 1. Pointing Guns and Howitzers, 51
“ “ 2. Pointing Mortars, 56

Part III. Charges, 60
IV. Ranges, 63
V. Ricochet, 73
VI. Recoil, 77
VII. Windage, 80
VIII. Gunpowder, 83
IX. Projectiles, 90
X. Laboratory Stores, 109
XI. Platforms, 118
XII. Artillery Carriages and Machines, 123
XIII. Practical Gunnery, 147
XIV. Miscellaneous, 151

Appendix—Rifle Cannon, 163
Index, 169

THE HAND-BOOK OF ARTILLERY.