Change sponges

[Bulwer Lytton]

How do you get the sponge off of the sponge rammers and how do you attach the new ones ?

 

[Dan Kohli]

According to The Artillerist's Manual (1860) by John Gibbon, the sponge should be attached to the sponge-head by copper nails. It should be as easy as removing the nails, replacing the sponge then reapply the copper nails.

 

[Rhea Cole]

General Gibbon's Manuel is the go to for how to Civil War artillery. It has excellent illustrations & is written in a clear, concise prose.

The artillerist's manual, compiled from various sources, and adapted to the service of the United States