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A two gun section of 1841 Model 6 pound cannon & a single 1841 12 pound howitzer. Stones River Living History
Photo by Author
At the Battle of Stones River, the majority of U.S. general Rosecrans' 14th Army Corps artillery was made up of six pounders & 12 pound howitzers. The same was true of the C.S. Army of Tennessee. In the early part of the war, batteries routinely consisted of a mix of 6 pounders & 12 pound howitzers. Following that doctrine, it was not uncommon for there to be a mix of rifled guns & howitzers. Needless to say, the logistical puzzle that resulted was challenging.
After the battle, Rosecrans rationalized the makeup of his batteries. Virtually all of the 6 pounders & 12 pound howitzers were removed to fortifications. Napoleon gun/howitzers or 3" rifles of various models in homogenous 6 gun batteries became the rule in the newly organized Army of the Cumberland. Tactical doctrine was moving toward four gun batteries of either Napoleons or 3" rifles.
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All Shined Up, Bronze Beauties at Chickamauga NB Living History Demonstration.
Three 6 pdr cannon, a 12 howitzer, & 2 gun rifle section of a Parrott & 3" Ordinance rifle.
Photo by Author
The artillery of the Confederate Army of Tennessee, as depicted in the image above, continued to consist largely of 1841 Model 6 pdr & 12 pound howitzers. The traditional prewar practice of organizing batteries with a mix of cannon & howitzers was typical.
With the addition of rifles to the A of T's artillery park, mixed batteries with sections of rifles, six pdr's & or 12 pdr howitzers were common. As depicted in this image, controlling the fire of guns with disparate performance was a challenge for battery commanders.