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3pd Gun

18th Century Artillery Crew

3 Pound Gun

The Cannon And Accouterments are Owned By Karl and Jennifer Manne

Of The First NY Regt.

The gun is available in support of and manned by membership of the

1st NY McCracken's Co.

Cannon were considered the queens of the battlefield. Infantry unsupported by cannon usually lost if the enemy had cannon. American Militia units were known for not standing up against British units with cannon support, since they rarely had any of their own.

The Muzzleloading cannon used were smoothbores, and smaller than used in later wars. Most were Like ours were 3, pound guns, mounted on wooden carriages with large wheels. Some 3 pound guns had iron legs to stand on and were called "grasshoppers". Larger guns of 12 pounds were sometimes used in the field, and even larger guns were mounted in fortifications and ships.

The cannon fired either solid ball, various small shot, or sometimes shells. Shells are a hollow iron ball filled with blackpowder and fitted with a fuse. The shot used could be buckshot, musket balls or grape shot, which are larger iron or lead balls about 1 inch in diameter.

Cannon had a range of several hundred yards. A 3 pounder ranged about 800 yards with solid shot, and 2 hundred yards with grape shot, maximum. At close range, loaded with shot, it could destroy an enemy company.

It is a myth that the Americans won by using cover, while the dumb British stood in the open in ranks to be shot by the hidden Americans. Both sides fought primarily in the open, in formation. When von Stueben took over training at Valley Forge, he put a single standard and methodology into the American army, so they could work better together. They then became a match for the British on the open ground in every respect. The Americans had been hampered by various methods and commands of maneuver, with little large scale drill. Von Stueben changed that, setting a single standard and training the army to use it, and the Americans proved their ability to use these techniques at the Battle of Monmouth. Instead of a regimental way, or state way, there was only the ARMY way. One method, one way to issue the order.

Certainly on occasion the Americans used cover, hiding behind trees and rock walls. The start of the war at Lexington and Concord is a prime example, and the New Jersey Militia, used it well also, both being examples of partisan warfare. Most battles of armies were fought using linear tactics. Even most partizan battles were fought using some form of linear tactics- they would fire volleys, and often stood in lines. Both sides used cover when they could. The slow rate of fire made manuever important, so units fought and moved in lines, even in woods, so they could protect against bayonet charges.

Artillery Manual Of Arms:

ARTILLERY DEMONSTRATION

Cannons are extremely dangerous to load and fire. Cannons may be demonstrated by members only under the direct supervision of a Safety Officer. The Safety Officer and the Gun Commander should be one in the same.1. Ideally a cannon crew will have six (6) or more members, but no gun will be operated with less than four (4). The members of the crew are: The Gun Commander - This man has overall command of the gun and crew. He is responsible for giving commands and assuring that crew members execute their duties correctly and safely. He does not normally take part in any of the loading or firing activities. If he does serve the gun, he will only serve as Gunner #1.Gunner #1 - (Firer) This job is to maintain the linstock and to touch off the charge when ordered by the Gun Commander.

- 3 -Gunner #2 - (Vent Tender) This man stops (tends) the vent to be sure NO air escapes during worming, sponging and loading. He picks open the charge with a priming wire and priming the piece. This man must have a leather thumb stall to protect his thumb from the heat of the gun while tending the vent. This position is critical to safe operation of the piece, and should always be manned by an experienced Artillerist. Gunner #3 - (Ram & Sponge) This man sponges the piece and rams home the cartridge. He must always be sure the sponge is in good condition and that there is water for the artillery bucket. This man is required to wear heavy duty welder's gloves for protection while performing his duties. It is the most dangerous position on the crew and, must exercise extreme caution at all times. Like #2, this position should always be served by an experienced crew member. Gunner #4 - (worm & Loader) This man's job is to extract the spent cartridge casing( search the piece), and to place the new round in the muzzle for #3 to ram (charge the piece). Gunner #5 - (Powder Handler) This man's job is to remove the powder box to a secure position before the piece is fired, and to bring each round forward to #4 for loading. He is also responsible for manning the tiller for aiming the gun, and guarding the powder box at all times. Gunner #6 - (Powder Handler) This man is charged with the security on the powder box at all times. Any additional gunners perform duties as assigned (pulling the gun, relieving casualties during tactical demonstrations, etc.) In case of a four man crew, Gunner #4 will double as #5. Gunner #4 should never carry extra rounds in the pass-box, as he will be close to the piece when it fires. For guns without a removable ammunition box (gallopers), the crew must always be certain that the side lockers are closed and latched. NOTE: the members of the various positions are arbitrary, and serve-only to list the necessary crew-members for any gun.2. Cannons used in firing demonstrations must be full-scale reproductions and must conform to the specifications in the Cannon Inspection Checklist. Original cannons may be used provided they too, conform to the same checklist.3. All drill performed by the Artillery crew is subject to the approval of a Safety Officer using the Artillery Checklist.4. Ammunition for artillery is to be prepared off-site of the demonstration or in an approved laboratory under the Safety Officer's supervision. Cartridges are to be made of at least 3thicknesses of heave gauge aluminum foil made around a former of a width corresponding to the bore of the Gun they are to be used with. Powder charges shall not exceed the specifications in the appended Table of Maximum Loads.5. Demonstrations will be held in an area that conforms to the appended Range Diagram for Cannon Firing.6. ALL FIRING SHALL BE WITH A LINSTOCK AND SLOW MATCH. Quills are preferred, black powder priming acceptable. Port-fires will not
-TACTICAL DEMONSTRATION

Tactical Demonstrations are inherently more dangerous than Individual Demonstrations for several reasons;1. The number of demonstrators involved.2. The close proximity of demonstrators to each other.3. In the case of reenactments, the fact weapons are being discharged at opposing forces.4. The greater difficulty in observing safety violations. To assure maximum safety for demonstrators and visitors, the following standards will govern Tactical Demonstrations;1. Participants in the Tactical Demonstrations shall be limited to members of the Continentalline.2. Shooters must be at least 16 years old.3. Each unit shall have at least one member who has been appointed as a Safety Officer.4. Weapons, ammunition, ammunition containers and weapon drill are subject to inspection by a Safety Officer who has the power to require correction of incidents of non-compliance with these Guidelines.5. Tactical Demonstrations will be held only under the direct supervisor of a Safety officer. The scenario for each demonstration is subject to the Safety Officers prior approval.6. Tactical Demonstrations will be held in areas of relative open spaces allowing clear fields of vision for participants.7. Weapons and blank rounds of ammunition used in Tactical Demonstrations shall conform to the specifications laid down in these Guidelines . Powder loads shall not exceed the amounts specified in the appended Table of Maximum Loads.8. There shall be no simulation of hand-to-hand combat.9. Opposing forces shall not discharge weapons at each other unless there is an interval of at least 30 yards between them.10. Weapons shall not be fired in the general direction or the public unless there is an interval of at least 100 yards. In all cases, weapons shall be aimed over the heads of all spectators.11. Ramrods shall not be used and rounds are not to be wadded.12. Bayonets shall not be fixed, and they shall remain in their scabbards. Hatchets, knives, and tomahawks shall never be unsheathed and the blade edge must always be covered. The exception for this bayonet rule will be by the command of the Field commander only.13. Artillery crews shall follow the manual for their pieces, observing all safety procedures specified above. Guns will be operated by a minimum of four crew members. Small pieces(3 pounders, and below) shall not be discharged at opposing forces at ranges of less than 50yards. Larger pieces (6 pounders and above) shall not be discharged at opposing forces of less than 100

CONTINENTAL LINE CANNON INSPECTION CHECK LIST

The Tube:1. Tube is clean and free of rust or corrosion2. No sign of external damage or strain.3. Inside of tube is clean and relatively smooth.4. No internal signs of damage (bulges, pits, etc.).5. No sign of corrosion damage at breach.6. The vent is clear and of the acceptable size.7. No signs of cracked or bending around the trunnions.8. No signs of weakness at the chaplets on bronze tubes. The Carriage:1. Wheels are tight and free of rot and infestation.2. The body of the carriage is free of rot and infestation.3. No pieces or parts are missing, cracked, bent, or broken.4. Wheels move freely.5. None of the iron work is loose.6. Tube rotates freely on its trunnions.7. Trunnion caps fit snugly and are properly keyed.8. Lids of Ammunition boxes and limber chests fit snugly, and are free of loose powder.9. Wheel hub does not gouge the end of the axletree.10. Linch pin is not digging into the wheel hub.Equipment:1. All necessary equipment is present.2. Sponge is in good condition and is fitted to the bore.3. Rammer head is secure and free of cracks.4. Small items are in good condition (linstock, thumstall, buckets, etc.)5. Prongs of the worm are sharp and not bent. The Gun Book is kept up to date.