- Joined
- May 18, 2011
- Location
- Carlisle, PA
Thanks for all the great info, guys. I'm learning lots. Keep it coming!
Bob Owen--you mention "documented results" when talking about the artillery sword's use against cavalry. Could you point me to some of the documents? I'd enjoy reading them, if available.
Still not sure how many personnel in an average ACW light artillery battery would carry the artillery sword. Any ideas out there? Was it just the gunners, chiefs of the piece (or limber?), Lts? I imagine they weren't often carried by the drivers of either the carriages or caissons...
And while we're at it, how common were pistols in the battery? Were they common among the battery officers, less common among the cannoneers, least common among drivers?
One of the reasons I'm asking all these questions: In addition to increasing my general knowledge, I'm also trying to get a clearer picture in my mind of that early afternoon on Sep 20th, 1863, on the ridge overlooking Dyer's Field at Chickamauga when my GGGrand-Uncle's unit--the 3rd Independent Battery, Wisconsin Volunteer Light Artillery--was overrun by units of BGEN Bushrod Johnson's division (probably McNair's brigade) and lost 5 of their six guns. Was there likely any defensive small arms fire or sword play from the battery personnel, or was it just one last pull of the lanyards on guns double-charged with canister and then run for the rear? Of note, the casualty rate among the gunners was 50%; out of 52 men manning the 6 guns, 15 were wounded (two mortally) and 11 were captured. Thirty-three horses (probably all these were on the limbers/carriages) were killed but all the caissons and the rest of the personnel were saved.
Only 52 men to man 6 tubes? Isn't that a little on the low side?
R