M1841 12-pounder howitzer

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M1841 12-pounder Field Howitzer
M1841 12-pounder field howitzer is seen at Gettysburg National Military Park looking toward Big Round Top.
TypeHowitzer
Place of originUnited States
Service history
In service1841–1868
Used byUnited States
WarsMexican–American War
American Civil War
Production history
ManufacturerCyrus Alger & Co.
N. P. Ames
Eagle Foundry, Cincinnati
William D. Marshall & Co.
Produced1841
No. builtover 251
Variants1835 (26), 1838 (24),
Confederate (118 bronze and 96 cast iron)
Specifications
Mass785 lb (356.1 kg)
Length53.0 in (1.35 m)
Crew9
Shell weight8.9 lb (4.0 kg) shell
1.0 lb (0.5 kg) charge
Caliber4.62 in (117 mm)
Barrels1
ActionMuzzle loading
Carriage900 lb (408.2 kg)
Effective firing range1,072 yd (980 m)

The M1841 12-pounder field howitzer was a bronze smoothbore muzzle-loading artillery piece that was adopted by the

12-pounder Napoleon which combined the functions of both field gun and howitzer. In the U.S. Army, the 12-pounder howitzers were replaced as soon as more modern weapons became available. Though none were manufactured after 1862, the weapon was not officially discarded by the U.S. Army until 1868. The Confederate States of America
also manufactured and employed the howitzer during the American Civil War.

For the related M1841 12-pounder mountain howitzer, see this article.

Background

At the beginning of the 19th century, armies employed field guns for direct artillery fire and mortars for high-angle fire. Intermediate between the field gun and mortar was the howitzer which launched an explosive shell on a curved trajectory against enemy personnel or fortifications. In general, a howitzer required a smaller charge than a field gun to lob a projectile of similar weight. Larger howitzers were often named after the size of the bore (or caliber), for example the 8-inch howitzer.[1] On the other hand, by British and American convention, some howitzers were named after the field gun which had the same bore size.[2] Therefore, in the US Army, the weapon was named the 12-pounder howitzer because it had the same bore size as the 12-pounder gun, which was 4.62 in (117 mm) in diameter. Since a smaller charge was needed to fire a projectile, the 12-pounder howitzer had a smaller chamber near the breech 3.67 in (93 mm) in diameter.[1]

Manufacture of bronze artillery pieces required

cannons to be cast from iron. For two decades after the War of 1812 the United States failed to produce a reliable 6-pounder gun. In one lot of 86 cast iron guns, 21 burst at the first fire during testing. Consequently, the Ordnance Board of 1831 under Alexander Macomb specified that field artillery pieces should be manufactured from bronze. The 1834 regulations required that field guns be made in 6-, 9-, and 12-pounder calibers and howitzers in 12- and 24-pounder calibers. It was desired for the 12-pounder howitzer to fit the 6-pounder field gun carriage. After some experimentation, gun founders Cyrus Alger & Co. and N. P. Ames produced the successful bronze smoothbore M1841 6-pounder field gun.[3]

Cyrus Alger & Co. delivered 19 and N. P. Ames delivered 7 bronze Model 1835 12-pounder howitzers in 1837–38. The two companies produced 24 more bronze Model 1838 12-pounder howitzers in 1839–40. The Model 1835 was 53.0 in (1.35 m) in length and weighed 717 lb (325.2 kg) while the Model 1838 was 49.0 in (1.24 m) in length and weighed 690 lb (313.0 kg). During the period 1834–1841, Alger, Ames, the West Point Foundry, and the Columbia Foundry produced small numbers of cast iron versions, but no large contracts resulted.[4]

The final bronze Model 1841 12-pounder howitzers manufactured by Alger and Ames served the US Army for the next 27 years (i.e until 1868). The Model 1841 was 53.0 in (1.35 m) long and weighed 785 lb (356.1 kg). At least 251 Model 1841 12-pounder howitzers were produced by Alger, Ames, and other companies.[5] Ames and Alger each delivered their first 6 Model 1841 howitzers in October and November 1841.[6] The Eagle Foundry of Miles Greenwood in Cincinnati, Ohio produced 14 bronze M1841 12-pounder howitzers for the U.S. Army in 1861–62. The Western Foundry of William D. Marshall & Co. of St. Louis, Missouri delivered 16 bronze M1841 12-pounder howitzers to the U.S. Army during the same period.[7]

Several foundries in the Confederacy manufactured an estimated 118 bronze and 66 cast iron 12-pounder howitzers during the American Civil War. Leading all producers was the Tredegar Iron Works which delivered 42 bronze and 30 cast iron 12-pounder howitzers. Other Confederate producers of this weapon were Quinby and Robinson (43), T. M. Brennan (26), Noble Brothers (14), Leeds (9), John Clark (7), Washington Foundry (7), Wolff (3), A. B. Reading (2), and Skates (1).[8] The Confederate-made iron 12-pounder howitzer was several inches longer than the U.S. version and weighed 850 lb (385.6 kg).[9]

Note that the

Western Theater.[10]

Model 1841 Bronze 12-pounder Howitzer and Variants[11]
Description No. Accepted Base ring diameter Length w/o knob Bore length Bore len. calibers Weight of barrel
Model 1835 26 9.8 in (24.9 cm) 53.0 in (134.6 cm) 43.25 in (109.9 cm) 9.36 717 lb (325.2 kg)
Model 1838 24 9.8 in (24.9 cm) 49.0 in (124.5 cm) 39.25 in (99.7 cm) 8.5 690 lb (313.0 kg)
Model 1841 251+ 10.0 in (25.4 cm) 53.0 in (134.6 cm) 43.25 in (109.9 cm) 9.36 785 lb (356.1 kg)

Specifications

Color photo shows an artillery piece at the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor's Center
Confederate-made 12-pounder howitzer is displayed at Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park.

The Model 1841 bronze 12-pounder howitzer barrel was 53.0 in (134.6 cm) from the base ring to the muzzle and weighed 785 lb (356 kg). The diameter of the bore (caliber) was 4.62 in (11.73 cm) and the bore length was 43.25 in (109.86 cm). This means the bore was 9.36 calibers long. The howitzer fired a 8.9 lb (4.0 kg) shell. At 5° elevation, the gun could throw the shell a distance of 1,072 yd (980 m) with the standard firing charge of 1.0 lb (0.45 kg).[11] Using a 1.0 lb. charge, the howitzer could hurl the shell a distance of 840 yd (768 m) at 3° elevation and 975 yd (892 m) at 4° elevation.[12] Canister shot was effective out to a distance of 350 yd (320 m). The 12-pounder spherical case shot (also called shrapnel) was loaded with 78 musket balls. The 12-pounder canister round contained 27 cast iron balls.[13]

A 6-pounder battery typically included four 6-pounder field guns and two 12-pounder howitzers. Altogether, the battery required fourteen 6-horse teams and seven spare horses.[14] The teams pulled the six artillery pieces and limbers, six caissons and limbers, one battery wagon, and one traveling forge. Each caisson carried two ammunition chests and each of the two limbers carried one, so that each gun was supplied with four ammunition chests.[15] The Union 1864 Field Artillery Instructions and the Confederate 1863 Ordnance Manual both prescribed that each ammunition chest held 15 shells, 20 spherical case shot, and 4 canister rounds. The total weights were as follows: shells 157.5 lb (71.4 kg), spherical case 273 lb (123.8 kg), and canister 47.4 lb (21.5 kg).[16] The carriage for both the 6-pounder gun and the 12-pounder howitzer weighed 900 lb (408 kg).[17] A gun crew consisted of one sergeant "chief-of-piece", two corporals, and six gunners. One gunner placed the projectile in the howitzer's muzzle while a second gunner rammed it home. Additionally, each gun had six drivers.[18]

Diagram of a 19th-century howitzer, showing each part
Side view of a typical 19th-century smooth-bore muzzle-loading howitzer
Model 1841 Bronze 12-pounder Howitzer Specifications[19]
Description Dimension
Weight of the gun barrel 785 lb (356.1 kg)
Diameter of the bore (caliber) 4.62 in (11.73 cm)
Diameter of the chamber / Diameter of the trunnions 3.67 in (9.32 cm)
Length of the bore including chamber 50.5 in (128.3 cm)
Length of the chamber 4.25 in (10.8 cm)
Length from the rear of the base ring to the face of the muzzle 53 in (134.6 cm)
Length from the rear of the knob to the face of the muzzle 58.6 in (148.8 cm)
Length from the rear of the base ring to the end of the (second) reinforce 30 in (76.2 cm)
Length of the chase from the end of the reinforce to the rear of the chase ring 18.4 in (46.7 cm)
Length from the rear of the chase ring to the face of the muzzle 4.6 in (11.7 cm)
Length from the rear of the base ring to the rear of the trunnions 23.25 in (59.1 cm)
Diameter of the base ring 10.0 in (25.4 cm)
Thickness of metal at the vent 2.9 in (7.4 cm)
Thickness of metal at the end of the (second) reinforce 2.09 in (5.3 cm)
Thickness of metal at the end of the chase and at the neck 1.54 in (3.9 cm)

History

Mexican–American War

Painting shows a cannon being pulled into action by galloping horses in the foreground. The background is formed by towering mountains.
An artillery piece is rushed into action at the Battle of Buena Vista on 22–23 February 1847.

In 1840, Secretary of War Joel Roberts Poinsett sent American officers to Europe to study artillery. This led to the establishment of an artillery system in 1841 where the 6-pounder gun and 12-pounder howitzer were adopted as field artillery. At the start of the Mexican–American War, the US Army maintained four artillery regiments, each with 10 companies of 50 men each. There were only four highly trained light artillery batteries: James Duncan's Company A, 2nd Artillery Regiment, Samuel Ringgold's Company C, 3rd Artillery, Braxton Bragg's Company E, 3rd Artillery, and John M. Washington's Company B, 4th Artillery. The first three were assigned to Zachary Taylor's army at the beginning of the war, while Washington's joined Taylor's army later.[20]

The Battle of Palo Alto on 8 May 1846 was largely an artillery duel in which the American batteries inflicted disproportionate losses on the Mexican soldiers.[21] Though most accounts state that the batteries of Ringgold and Duncan were armed with four 6-pounder guns each, an archeological study found evidence that one or more 12-pounder howitzers were used.[22] American losses were only five killed, 43 wounded, and two missing. However, 10 more soon died of their wounds, including Ringgold who was struck in both legs by a round shot from a 4-pounder Gribeauval cannon. Mexican commander Mariano Arista verbally admitted losing 252 killed, but wrote only 102 killed in his official report. The next morning, the Mexican army fell back to a second position but it was beaten that day at the Battle of Resaca de la Palma.[23]

In the

Gideon Pillow's division, and Company H, 3rd Artillery – John A. Quitman's division.[25]

American Civil War

Black and white print shows a mounted man with his arm in a sling rallying soldiers during a battle. There is a two-story building at right.
Sterling Price rallies his men on the second day of the Battle of Pea Ridge, while Henry Guibor's battery duels with Federal guns in front of Elkhorn Tavern.

Eastern Theater had 650 gunners manning nine batteries of mostly mixed calibers. By March 1862 the Army of the Potomac had 92 batteries of 520 guns manned by 12,500 soldiers and pulled by 11,000 horses.[27]

At the

Landis', Guibor's, and MacDonald's Missouri batteries and Good's Texas Battery. Wade's Missouri Battery had four 12-pounder howitzers and two 6-pounder field guns.[29]

The

Washington Artillery (Eshleman's) was armed with two 12-pounder howitzers and two 6-pounder field guns.[33]

The Battle of Gettysburg on 1–3 July 1863 was also fought in the East. At Gettysburg, 64 of 65 Federal batteries were armed with the same weapons. The only mixed battery was Sterling's 2nd Connecticut Battery.[34] which included two 12-pounder howitzers.[35] Ames and Alger manufactured the last bronze 12-pounder howitzers in 1861–62.[36] Wartime records show that out-of-date artillery pieces migrated from the east to the west in the U.S. Army.[37] On 30 June 1863, the Union Army of the Cumberland counted 220 artillery pieces of which 10 were 12-pounder howitzers, while the Army of the Ohio had 72 artillery pieces including no 12-pounder howitzers.[37]

In early 1863, the 12-pounder howitzer was still one of the primary artillery pieces in the Confederate Army of Tennessee, but was being out-performed by more modern artillery. As of March 1863, the Army of Tennessee had 123 cannon, of which 40 were 12-pounder howitzers and another forty were obsolete 6-pounder guns. In contrast, the opposing Union army had 181 guns in May, of which only 27 were either 12-pounder howitzers or 6-pounder guns.[38] While the Confederates were seeking to modernize their artillery, the Army of Tennessee was still armed with 28 12-pounder howitzers and a further 22 6-pounder guns in November 1863,[39] and that army had 36 12-pounder howitzers in service in May 1864,[40] although that number fell to 12 by September 1864.[41]

Civil War artillery

Main article: Field artillery in the American Civil War
Characteristics of common American Civil War artillery pieces[17][42]
Description Caliber Tube length Tube weight Carriage weight Shot weight Charge weight Range 5° elev.
M1841 6-pounder cannon 3.67 in (9.3 cm) 60 in (152.4 cm) 884 lb (401 kg) 900 lb (408 kg) 6.1 lb (2.8 kg) 1.25 lb (0.6 kg) 1,523 yd (1,393 m)
M1841 12-pounder cannon 4.62 in (11.7 cm) 78 in (198.1 cm) 1,757 lb (797 kg) 1,175 lb (533 kg) 12.3 lb (5.6 kg) 2.5 lb (1.1 kg) 1,663 yd (1,521 m)
M1841 12-pounder howitzer 4.62 in (11.7 cm) 53 in (134.6 cm) 788 lb (357 kg) 900 lb (408 kg) 8.9 lb (4.0 kg) 1.0 lb (0.5 kg) 1,072 yd (980 m)
M1841 24-pounder howitzer 5.82 in (14.8 cm) 65 in (165.1 cm) 1,318 lb (598 kg) 1,128 lb (512 kg) 18.4 lb (8.3 kg) 2.0 lb (0.9 kg) 1,322 yd (1,209 m)
M1857 12-pounder Napoleon 4.62 in (11.7 cm) 66 in (167.6 cm) 1,227 lb (557 kg) 1,128 lb (512 kg) 12.3 lb (5.6 kg) 2.5 lb (1.1 kg) 1,619 yd (1,480 m)
12-pounder James rifle 3.67 in (9.3 cm) 60 in (152.4 cm) 875 lb (397 kg) 900 lb (408 kg)[43] 12 lb (5.4 kg) 0.75 lb (0.3 kg) 1,700 yd (1,554 m)
3-inch Ordnance rifle 3.0 in (7.6 cm) 69 in (175.3 cm) 820 lb (372 kg) 900 lb (408 kg)[44] 9.5 lb (4.3 kg) 1.0 lb (0.5 kg) 1,830 yd (1,673 m)
10-pounder Parrott rifle 3.0 in (7.6 cm) 74 in (188.0 cm) 899 lb (408 kg) 900 lb (408 kg)[44] 9.5 lb (4.3 kg) 1.0 lb (0.5 kg) 1,900 yd (1,737 m)
20-pounder Parrott rifle 3.67 in (9.3 cm) 84 in (213.4 cm) 1,750 lb (794 kg) 1,175 lb (533 kg)[43] 20 lb (9.1 kg) 2.0 lb (0.9 kg) 1,900 yd (1,737 m)

Notes

  1. ^ a b Hazlett, Olmstead & Parks 2004, p. 70.
  2. ^ Hazlett, Olmstead & Parks 2004, p. 23.
  3. ^ Hazlett, Olmstead & Parks 2004, pp. 26–27.
  4. ^ Hazlett, Olmstead & Parks 2004, pp. 71–72.
  5. ^ Hazlett, Olmstead & Parks 2004, pp. 71–73.
  6. ^ Hazlett, Olmstead & Parks 2004, pp. 287–290.
  7. ^ Hazlett, Olmstead & Parks 2004, pp. 76–77.
  8. ^ Hazlett, Olmstead & Parks 2004, p. 86.
  9. ^ Ripley 1970, p. 46.
  10. ^ Hazlett, Olmstead & Parks 2004, p. 134.
  11. ^ a b Hazlett, Olmstead & Parks 2004, p. 71.
  12. ^ Katcher 2001, p. 25.
  13. ^ Coggins 1983, p. 67.
  14. ^ Coggins 1983, p. 73.
  15. ^ Coggins 1983, p. 68.
  16. ^ Katcher 2001, p. 18.
  17. ^ a b Coggins 1983, p. 66.
  18. ^ Johnson & Anderson 1995, pp. 28–29.
  19. ^ Hazlett, Olmstead & Parks 2004, p. 75.
  20. ^ Eisenhower 1989, p. 379.
  21. ^ Eisenhower 1989, p. 79.
  22. ^ Haecker 1994, Chap.7.
  23. ^ Haecker 1994, Chap.3.
  24. ^ Eisenhower 1989, pp. 183–191.
  25. ^ Eisenhower 1989, p. 307.
  26. ^ Hazlett, Olmstead & Parks 2004, p. 89.
  27. ^ Cole 2002, p. 21.
  28. ^ Shea & Hess 1992, pp. 331–334.
  29. ^ Shea & Hess 1992, pp. 334–339.
  30. ^ Johnson & Anderson 1995, p. 129.
  31. ^ Johnson & Anderson 1995, p. 77.
  32. ^ Johnson & Anderson 1995, pp. 79–80.
  33. ^ Johnson & Anderson 1995, p. 90.
  34. ^ Cole 2002, p. 56.
  35. ^ Cole 2002, p. 86.
  36. ^ Hazlett, Olmstead & Parks 2004, p. 76.
  37. ^ a b Hazlett, Olmstead & Parks 2004, p. 51.
  38. ^ Daniel 2015, pp. 77–79.
  39. ^ Daniel 2015, pp. 116–117.
  40. ^ Daniel 2015, pp. 156–157.
  41. ^ Daniel 2015, p. 179.
  42. ^ Coggins 1983, p. 77.
  43. ^ a b Johnson & Anderson 1995, p. 25.
  44. ^ a b Hazlett, Olmstead & Parks 2004, p. 217.

References

See also
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