Dear BigIron44;
First, welcome to CivilWarTalk Forms.
There are several gentlemen who are wonderful resources when it comes to ordnance and weapons. I hope they will take a peek in and help with your inquiry.
I have looked at The Official Records of the Rebellion and not a hit was found on the "Meyers" from Bridgeton, NJ. Yet, Plate #173 has the "Coehorn Mortar." (Cute little fella)--Union Ordnance 1861-1865.
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O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXVIII/1 [S# 46]
Operations On The Coasts Of South Carolina And Georgia, And In Middle And East Florida.--June 12-December 31, 1863.
No. 2.--Report of Maj. Gen. Quincy A. Gillmore, U.S. Army, commanding Department of the South, with congratulatory orders.
[excerpt]
Second. Curved fire was not used enough. The armament of the work contained but two mortars (one 8-inch and one 10-inch). These, when earnestly served, caused the most serious delay in the progress of our works, and on one occasion suspended it entirely.
172. The Coehorn mortar is a most valuable weapon in siege operations. From its lightness and portability it is peculiarly adapted to the attack, and should follow close on the heels of the sappers. This leads to an inquiry into the military principles which controlled the issue of the contest for the possession of Morris Island, under the peculiar circumstances of the case, after we made our lodgment there on the 10th of July, viz: Our forces occupying one end of the island without batteries or defenses of any kind excepting what were improvised from day to day, the enemy being upon the other end strongly fortified (the narrowest part of the island, a mere strip of shallow sand frequently overflowed by the sea, being between the contending forces, and within half musket range of the enemy's batteries), and both parties having their communications to the rear open, why did not the enemy drive us from the island, as their commander asserted should be done, instead of being driven from it themselves?
Two conditions, steadily maintained, achieved success for us, viz:
First. An overpowering mortar fire from our batteries, particularly toward the end of the siege of Fort Wagner, opposed by a weak one from the enemy.
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O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXVIII/1 [S# 46]
JULY 10---SEPTEMBER 7, 1863.--Operations on Morris Island, S.C.
No. 5.--Reports and Journal of Maj. Thomas B. Brooks, U.S. Army, Aide-de-Camp, and Assistant Engineer.
[excerpt]
Captain Pratt this night superintended moving sap-rollers to the left of the fourth parallel; also to the same place a Coehorn mortar battery, with its platforms and ammunition, from the left of the second parallel.
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O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXXIII [S# 60]
UNION CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN NORTH CAROLINA, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, MARYLAND, AND PENNSYLVANIA, FROM JANUARY 1 TO APRIL 30, 1864.--#24
[excerpt]
There should be provided for each siege gun 1,000 rounds of ammunition: for each siege mortar 600 shells: for each Coehorn mortar 200. Of this ammunition 200 rounds per piece should be brought up before opening fire; the remainder to be near enough to enable the supply to be kept up. At least 500 sand-bags should be supplied for each gun and mortar of the train, with an equal number in reserve.
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O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXXVI/2 [S# 68]
UNION CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN SOUTHEASTERN VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA, FROM MAY 1, 1864, TO MAY 19, 1864.(*)--#16
have ordered to Belle Plain 6,000 solid shot, 5,000 shrapnel, 1,800 solid shot (12-pounder), and a supply of 3-inch and 10-pounder ammunition and 12-pounder canister. It was ordered on two different days. Let your wagons, and those of the artillery ammunition trains of the corps which are ordered to report to Lieutenant Schaff, ordnance officer at Belle Plain, load up first with 12-pounder ammunition, as above, and 1,500 rounds 10-pounder Parrott (no canister is needed); then, if there is room, load with 3-inch ammunition. We require all the above light 12-pounder ammunition, and more, to complete our supply, some 14,000 rounds in all; so let all the 12-pounder, except canister, be brought up. Let all this be done under direction of your ordnance officer, or the officer you may detail. We are much in want of light 12-pounder ammunition, and no time should be lost in bringing it up. Let your train move in connection with some other train, properly escorted. I inclose a letter to Lieutenant Schaff, ordnance officer at Belle Plain. Issue from your train whatever the corps require to fill their chests. I have authorized the chiefs of artillery to draw on you, and send the wagons, if necessary. Make out a statement of the amount of Coehorn mortar ammunition wanted to complete 50 rounds per mortar, and direct the ordnance officer to get it, if possible.
HENRY J. HUNT,
Brig. Gen., Chief of Artillery, Army of the Potomac.
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O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXXVI/2 [S# 68]
UNION CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN SOUTHEASTERN VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA, FROM MAY 1, 1864, TO MAY 19, 1864.(*)--#23
[excerpt]
Fort Woodbury, Maj. N. Shatswell commanding.--Garrison, two companies First Massachusetts Heavy Artillery--1 major, 10 commissioned officers, 1 ordnance-sergeant, 256 men. Armament, four 6-pounder James (rifled), four 24-pounder siege (smooth), one 24-pounder F. D. howitzer (smooth), three 30-pounder Parrotts (rifled), one 24-pounder Coehorn mortar. Magazines, two; dry, and a new one being built. Ammunition, full supply and well packed and in good condition. Implements, complete and in good order. Drill in artillery, fair; approaching good. Drill in infantry, commendable degree of efficiency. Discipline, fair. Garrison sufficient.
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Fort Totten, Maj. Charles Hunsdon commanding.--Garrison, two companies First Vermont Artillery--1 major, 7 commissioned officers, 1 ordnance-sergeant, 206 men. Armament-four 6-pounder field guns, eight 32-pounder Parrotts, two 8-inch siege howitzers, one Coehorn mortar, one 10-inch mortar, three 30-pounder Parrotts, one 100-pounder Parrott. Magazines, two; one in serviceable condition and one being repaired. Ammunition full supply and serviceable. Implements, complete and serviceable. Drill in artillery, fair. Drill in infantry, fair. Discipline, fair. Garrison not of sufficient strength.
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Fort Cass, Maj. N. Shatswell commanding.--Garrison, two companies First Massachusetts Heavy Artillery--8 commissioned officers, 1 ordnance-sergeant, 220 men. Armament, three 6-pounder field guns (smooth), five 20-pounder Parrotts (rifled), three 24-pounder siege guns (smooth). one 24-pounder F. D. howitzer (smooth), one 24-pounder Coehorn mortar. Magazines, two; dry and in good condition. Ammunition, full supply, well packed and in serviceable condition. Implements, complete and serviceable. Drill in artillery, fair. Drill in infantry, fair. Discipline, fair. Garrison sufficient for the work.
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Fort Craig, Major Holt commanding.--Garrison, two companies First Massachusetts Heavy Artillery--15 commissioned officers, 1 ordnance-sergeant, 280 men. Armament, one 24-pounder field howitzer, four 24-pounder siege, five 30-pounder Parrotts, one Coehorn mortar, one 10-inch mortar. Magazines, two; dry and in good condition. Ammunition, full supply and in good condition. Implements, complete and in good order. Drill in artillery, fair. Drill in infantry, fair. Discipline, fair. Garrison of sufficient strength.
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Fort Ward, Major Hemingway commanding.--Garrison, three companies First Connecticut Heavy Artillery--1 major, 12 commissioned officers, 1 ordnance-sergeant, 401 men. Armament, two 10-pounder Parrotts, five 4½-inch ordnance, five 32-pounder sea-coast, six 24-pounder siege guns, one 100-pounder Parrott, one 24-pounder Coehorn mortar, seven 8-inch siege mortars. Magazines, three; two serviceable, one unserviceable; new ones being built. Ammunition, full supply and serviceable. Implements, complete and serviceable (but seven guns of this work were mounted and ready for action; work not completed). Drill in artillery, fair. Drill in infantry, ordinary. Discipline, fair. Garrison is sufficient for the work.
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Fort Barnard, Major Cook commanding.--Garrison, two companies First Connecticut Heavy Artillery--1 major, 1 ordnance-sergeant, ----- men. Armament, three 24-pounder field howitzers, six 32-pounder sea-coast guns, three 24-pounder siege guns, two 8-inch seacoast howitzers, three 30-pounder Parrotts, one 24-pounder Coehorn mortar, and one 10-inch siege mortar. Magazines, two; dry and in good order. Ammunition, full supply and in good condition. Implements, complete and serviceable. Drill in artillery, fair. Drill in infantry, fair. Discipline, fair. Garrison is sufficient.
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(Several more forts that created the Defenses of Washington, list the Coehorn Mortar (Union))
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O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXXVI/3 [S# 69]
UNION CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN SOUTHEAST VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA, FROM MAY 20, 1864, TO JUNE 12, 1864.--#30
HDQRS. FIRST BRIGADE, FIRST DIV., SECOND CORPS,
June 11, 1864.
Maj. JOHN HANCOCK,
Assistant Adjutant-General:
MAJOR: I have the honor of reporting that the enemy opened this evening on my line from a Coehorn mortar, firing 6 or 8 shots. Some of the shots fell in front and some in rear of my line of battle, wounding 7 privates of the Second New York Heavy Artillery. The mortar is behind the enemy's second line of works, between a section of artillery. From a signal station in rear of Brown's battery, the men working the mortar could be plainly seen. I send by orderly fragment of one of shot fired.
Very respectfully,
NELSON A. MILES,
Colonel, Commanding First Brigade.
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O.R.--SERIES I--VOLUME XL/1 [S# 80]
JUNE 13-JULY 31, 1864.--The Richmond (Virginia) Campaign.
No. 145.--Report of Lieut. James B. Hazelton, Battery E, First New York Light Artillery, of operations July 11-30.
HDQRS. COMPANY E., FIRST NEW YORK LIGHT ARTY.,
August 12, 1864.
LIEUTENANT: In accordance with requirements of Special Orders, No. 209, August 5, 1864, headquarters Army of the Potomac, I have the honor to report as follows as regards the participation of Light Company E, First New York Artillery, since its reorganization under my command and assignment to the temporary service of Coehorn mortar battery previous to and during the late assault upon the enemy's works near Petersburg, Va.:[excerpt]
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CONTINUED