Artillery used by the NORTH During the Civil War (Gettysburg) - Research Paper Example

Number: Artillery used by the NORTH During the Civil War (Gettysburg). The Civil War, also known as the "modern" war, subdivided its armies into specialized arms. The two separate units of artillery were the Heavy (Foot), and Light (Field) Artilleries. Heavy (Foot) Artillery units were in charge of the garrison, seacoast and mountain artillery. Light (Field) Artillery was into Horse Artillery and Mounted. Horse Artillery was the section where everyone rode horses as well as serving with the Cavalry.

On the other hand, Mounted part was the section where all were people were marching alongside the cannons. Concerning the Mounted units’ times of war, everyone would jump onto the limber and cannon and ride into the response action.The general classification of Artillery was based on caliber and weight. The other factors considered include mobility, as well as the carriage form or mounting. Notably, "Field" artillery was regarded ordnance light, as well as mobile to help in maneuvering during battle.

Numerous larger guns used by the North and South were locked permanently in fortifications. The defense in Washington alone had 98 mortars and 807 guns. Many of such fortification guns were never used in attacking the enemy via the entire war.Regarding the Northern armies, they were uniformly equipped with the 12-pounder Napoleon, 10- pounder, or 3-inch rifle parrots. Although the Northern were armed, their artillery batteries usually had a number of non-standard guns, and all every gun called for different ammunitions.

The North had many advantages compared to the South in acquiring small arms. The advantages were the resultant of the fact that the Confederacy entirely relied on the smuggled imports following the advanced naval blockade. The North thus accessed different models from England and France as the Confederate army imported them.According to Allen, in the article Artillery, the organization of Artillery fell into two categories, the union and confederate. Batteries for the union artillery were often constituted of six guns used in three, sections, involving two guns.

There were three sections; right, middle, and right sections. Battery for Confederate constituted of four guns. The four guns were of different types, and therefore, supply for the Confederate ammunition to artillery batteries became very difficult to implement. Each Confederate composed of almost sixty-eight men.The ammunition used for Field (Light) artillery were in four categories; shell, case (shrapnel), solid, and canister, with every ammunition used to accomplish a specific purpose.Although all the artillery ammunitions were effective as it functioned, they were unreliable.

Additionally, although the outcomes were variable, duds were common.A Field Artillery battery incorporated six guns at full strength. All guns were linked to a limber being pulled by horses; a caisson was also used to offer more support. There were two chests ammunitions carried in the caisson. The three guns that were used include the three-inch wrought iron riffle, parrot riffle, and napoleon gun. The three-inch riffle was an excellent choice because of its accuracy. Additionally, the gun facilitated the shooting of bronze bores in just 500 rounds.

The parrot riffle was developed as a new means of strengthening a molded iron gun with a wrought iron band at the breech.Work Cited:Allen, R Jonathan. “Artillery.” Retrieved 27 Nov. 2012 http://www.nellaware.com/blog/artillery.html Sayers, D Alethea. “Introduction To Civil War.” Retrieved 29 Nov. 2012 http://ehistory.osu.edu/uscw/features/regimental/artillery.cfm