how hard was it

[MikeyB]

I've often come across passages discussing how artillery crews would be killed and infantrymen would staff it, or the famous Longstreet example, where he was holding his staff's horses while they were operating the guns.

So my question is - how difficult was it to teach regular joe infantryman how to staff and operate a gun? Were the motions pretty simple, so as long as you had a good officer to do the aiming, it was pretty easy work to teach and then to execute? Or, instances where infantry stepped up - were these infantry selected because they were already somewhat familiar w/ artillery operation?

Maybe said another way, how many trained, artillerymen would you need to ensure competent execution of a gun? I'd imagine some of the steps, like swabbing the barrel, even I could do.

mike

 

[Larryh86GT]

Great question!

 

[UCVRelics]

It really not that difficult, even I can do it

 

[Ragged Old First]

It really not that difficult, even I can do it

@ucvrelics your post is somewhat misleading. There were times when these Infantrymen had to be taught in the heat of battle. You and your mates weren't being shot at when you learned, and you are firing a small howitzer.

 

[UCVRelics]

Your correct but firing was not that difficult. The aiming and other fine points that would maximize the effect of the gun would be a major problem for untrained troops. I would also wager to say that troops were cross-trained on the guns as well. The Union army had reserves.

 

[Lampasas Bill]

A few brief but important safety instructions would be useful to know as well, like thumbing the breech while loading.

 

[Albert Sailhorst]

In a combat, emergency type, situation, teaching would be "off the cuff".....dispensing with what is considered modern day reenactor safety techniques. Obviously, safety would have been a concern, but worming the gun and tending the vent would have remained a primary concern, just as much as a good ram and pick & prime.....In a "pinch" it can be taught sufficiently.
A good artillery crew during the Civil War, could fire 3 rounds per minute. I DO NOT recommend this rate of fire for a reenactor unit!

 

[Rod67]

I don't know for absolute certain, but I can't imagine spending endless weeks or months drilling and not being taught at least rudimentary cannon skills! If one had to charge an artillery emplacement it would be valuable to know how many steps it takes to reload. There are accounts of guns falling into enemy hands and immediately being turned on their former owners. This had to be done by typical soldiers, as there wouldn't normally been artillery men marching in the ranks.