Caisson question!

[rosefiend]

This is a beginner's question, so sorry 'bout that.

In one of my profiles I'm writing, we have somebody at the battle of Fredericksburg crouching behind a caisson on the Union side. I assume that this caisson is an artillery wagon and not a box of ammunition. BUT I WANT TO BE SURE.

Who knows, a box of ammo might be pretty big -- though I'd hate to be hanging around a box of ammo that big while there's all this intense fire blazing about.

 

[AndyHall]

A caisson is a special type of artillery vehicle, usually with two wheels, that carries a couple of boxes of ammunition. It's similar to a limber, which usually has one box, and tows the gun itself.

A caisson is used in military funerals because, if you remove the boxes, it's about the right size for carrying a casket.

 

[peteanddelmar]

So did caisson in the ACW refer to the wagon AND the boxes or just the boxes or both according to how it was being used in context?
When I look up images I keep getting "limber AND caisson."
Or is limber maybe a specific part of a wagon? Sorry don't know my terminology.
I do know what a hay wagon is though.

 

[AndyHall]

The limber is a separate vehicle, but normally they go together. Each gun in a field battery has, I believe, its own limber and caisson.

Caisson (left) and limber (right) hitched together:

 

[ole]

Each gun is pulled by a limber and is accompanied by another limber pulling a caisson. That's four ammo boxes and 12 horses per gun.

 

[rhettbutler1865]

Is this, then, incorrect? (Barnum's sculpture of Burnside's Bridge)

 

[AndyHall]

Is this, then, incorrect? (Barnum's sculpture of Burnside's Bridge)View attachment 63460

Not incorrect, but this limber and gun would be accompanied by another vehicle drawn by six horses, consisting of a limber pulling a caisson.

 

[ole]

This is a beginner's question, so sorry 'bout that.

In one of my profiles I'm writing, we have somebody at the battle of Fredericksburg crouching behind a caisson on the Union side. I assume that this caisson is an artillery wagon and not a box of ammunition. BUT I WANT TO BE SURE.

Who knows, a box of ammo might be pretty big -- though I'd hate to be hanging around a box of ammo that big while there's all this intense fire blazing about.

The simple answer: No one in his right mind would hide behind a caisson.

 

[rhettbutler1865]

Not incorrect, but this limber and gun would be accompanied by another vehicle drawn by six horses, consisting of a limber pulling a caisson.

Thanks, Andy...you put my mind at ease (that was/is his most expensive sculpture by far)...

 

[AndyHall]

Thanks, Andy...you put my mind at ease (that was/is his most expensive sculpture by far)...

Buy five more and you'll have a proper battery!

 

[rhettbutler1865]

Buy five more and you'll have a proper battery!

It took me 20 years to find that one. Even if I could buy 5 more, I'd probably have to re- mortgage the house!!

 

[rosefiend]

Thanks guys for clearing that up! Thanks for the pics, @AndyHall!

@ole, I wondered about that too. She'd been ordered to the rear but went reluctantly, not wanting to leave the fight, and ended up behind that caisson in the rear. The account doesn't say how far back that caisson was, though.