Did ACW artillery practice

[archieclement]

on moving targets? It seems in instances of running by forts/batteries ect, the artillery didn't do particularly well. Which leads to the question, off hand don't recall hearing of such practices or exercise's.

While not sure how practical in coastal fort setting, for river batteries releasing a floating raft/target upriver wouldn't have seemed hard to do.

 

[redbob]

on moving targets? It seems in instances of running by forts/batteries ect, the artillery didn't do particularly well. Which leads to the question, off hand don't recall hearing of such practices or exercise's.

While not sure how practical in coastal fort setting, for river batteries releasing a floating raft/target upriver wouldn't have seemed hard to do.

Even today, unless they are hand held weapons or armor; firing on moving targets is not often done. Field artillery could use the three round method for range finding, one long, one short and the third should be on target. Or a well practiced eye by the gunner would often work. I have never read anything about land based battery practicing on a water borne moving target, though it seems like it would have been a good idea.