M1841 24-pounder howitzer
M1841 24-pounder howitzer | |
---|---|
Type | Howitzer |
Place of origin | United States |
Service history | |
In service | 1841–1865 |
Used by | United States |
Wars | Mexican–American War American Civil War |
Production history | |
Manufacturer | Cyrus Alger & Co. N. P. Ames |
Produced | 1841 |
No. built | 125 |
Variants | 1835 |
Specifications | |
Mass | 1,318 lb (597.8 kg) |
Length | 65.0 in (1.65 m) |
Crew | 9 |
Shell weight | 18.4 lb (8.3 kg) shell 2.0 lb (0.9 kg) charge |
Caliber | 5.82 in (148 mm) |
Barrels | 1 |
Action | Muzzle loading |
Carriage | 1,128 lb (511.7 kg) |
Rate of fire | 1 rounds/minute |
Effective firing range | 1,322 yd (1,209 m) |
The M1841 24-pounder howitzer was a bronze smoothbore muzzle-loading artillery piece adopted by the
Background
In 1800, 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 fired an explosive shell on a curved trajectory against enemy personnel or fortifications. Usually, 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] In the US Army, the weapon was called the 24-pounder howitzer since it had the same bore size as the 24-pounder gun, which was 5.82 in (148 mm) in diameter. Since a smaller charge was needed to fire a projectile, the 24-pounder howitzer had a smaller chamber near the breech only 4.62 in (117 mm) in diameter.[1]
Production
Gun founders Cyrus Alger & Co. and N. P. Ames produced 56 bronze Model 1835 24-pounder howitzers. Apart from an average weight of 1,320 lb (599 kg), the dimensions are unknown but believed to be similar to those of the later model. None are known to have survived. A total of 69 bronze Model 1841 24-pounder howitzers were manufactured by Alger and Ames of which 25 survive. Ames produced 17 of the howitzers in 1841–1847 and 10 more in 1861. Alger produced two in 1841, 10 more in 1858, and 30 in 1862–1863. The final 30 differ by having a circular cross section to the two handles; whereas the earlier versions had handles with a half-octagon cross-section. After the last 30 guns, no more guns with handles were produced for the US Army.[5]
Two bronze 24-pounder howitzers that were produced for the Confederate States survive from the Western Foundry of Quinby and Robinson in Memphis, Tennessee. Notably, they do not have the twin handles. No other Confederate 24-pounder howitzers are known to have survived. Seven howitzers were imported from Austria. The survivors are 59 in (150 cm) long and weigh 652 to 665 lb (296 to 302 kg). Because the larger bore of the Austrian howitzers was 5.87 in (14.9 cm), Confederate gunners were advised to wrap their ammunition in canvas.[6]
Specifications
The Model 1841 bronze 24-pounder howitzer barrel was 65.0 in (165.1 cm) from the base ring to the muzzle and weighed 1,320 lb (599 kg). The diameter of the bore (caliber) was 5.82 in (14.78 cm) and the bore length was 61 in (154.94 cm). This means the bore was 10.48 calibers long.
The Union Army tried to standardize battery size at six guns. Each gun was pulled by a limber with an ammunition chest. Two caissons with additional ammunition were assigned to each gun. A battery wagon and a traveling forge were attached to each battery. Therefore, a six gun battery typically had 20 six-horse teams to pull six gun limbers, 12 caissons, wagon, and forge, plus 10 extra horses. Each gun was served by a sergeant, two corporals, and six privates. Six privates drove the limber and caissons. Two guns formed a section, commanded by a lieutenant and the battery was led by a captain. When a battery's guns were unlimbered, they were placed at regulation 14 yd (12.8 m) intervals, with limbers and caissons to the rear. A six gun battery occupied a width of 82 yd (75 m) and a depth of 47 yd (43 m).[9]
Description | Dimension |
---|---|
Weight of the gun barrel | 1,320 lb (598.7 kg) |
Diameter of the bore (caliber) | 5.82 in (14.78 cm) |
Diameter of the chamber | 4.62 in (11.73 cm) |
Length of the bore including chamber | 61 in (154.9 cm) |
Length of the chamber | 4.75 in (12.1 cm) |
Length from the rear of the base ring to the face of the muzzle | 65 in (165.1 cm) |
Length from the rear of the knob to the face of the muzzle | 71.2 in (180.8 cm) |
Length from the rear of the base ring to the end of the (second) reinforce | 34.5 in (87.6 cm) |
Length of the chase from the end of the reinforce to the rear of the chase ring | 24.7 in (62.7 cm) |
Length from the rear of the chase ring to the face of the muzzle | 5.8 in (14.7 cm) |
Length from the rear of the base ring to the rear of the trunnions | 27.5 in (69.9 cm) |
Diameter of the base ring | 12.0 in (30.5 cm) |
Thickness of metal at the vent | 3.19 in (8.1 cm) |
Thickness of metal at the end of the (second) reinforce | 2.29 in (5.8 cm) |
Thickness of metal at the end of the chase and at the neck | 1.59 in (4.0 cm) |
History
Mexican-American War
While a light field battery was made up of the
Civil War
In 1853, France designed an artillery piece that combined the functions of the field gun and the howitzer. The weapon was quickly copied by the US Army and the M1857 12-pounder Napoleon gun-howitzer was the result.[16] During the Civil War, the 24-pounder howitzer was not frequently employed by batteries of Union field artillery because it was relatively heavy and had a shorter range compared to the 12-pounder Napoleon's 1,619 yd (1,480 m) range at 5° elevation. Nevertheless, Confederates favored the 24-pounder howitzer for its hitting power and accuracy.[17] The concept of a mixed battery of four 12-pounder field guns and two 24-pounder howitzers was not pursued by the Union Army after 1861, so it is not clear why the howitzer continued to be manufactured in 1862–1863.[18]
Edward McAllister's Battery D, 1st Illinois Light Artillery Regiment was armed with three cast iron 24-pounder howitzers at the Battle of Fort Donelson during which two of the guns were disabled. The battery was re-equipped with four bronze 24-pounder howitzers before the Battle of Shiloh in April 1862.[19] Frederick Welker's Battery H, 1st Missouri Light Artillery Regiment was armed with two 24-pounder howitzers at the Second Battle of Corinth in October 1862.[20] On 30 June 1863, the Union Army of the Cumberland had two 24-pounder howitzers out of 220 artillery pieces while the Army of the Ohio had four out of 72.[21] Near Richmond, Virginia, Battery L, 1st Connecticut Heavy Artillery Regiment defended a redoubt with one 24-pounder howitzer and two M1844 32-pounder howitzers. In June 1864, the position was attacked by the 22nd South Carolina Infantry Regiment which was repulsed with 17 men killed. Another 23 men surrendered rather than trying to retreat under fire.[22]
During the
Civil War artillery
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)[31] | 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)[32] | 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)[32] | 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)[31] | 20 lb (9.1 kg) | 2.0 lb (0.9 kg) | 1,900 yd (1,737 m) |
Notes
- ^ a b Hazlett, Olmstead & Parks 2004, p. 70.
- ^ Hazlett, Olmstead & Parks 2004, p. 23.
- ^ Hazlett, Olmstead & Parks 2004, pp. 26–27.
- ^ Hazlett, Olmstead & Parks 2004, pp. 183–184.
- ^ Hazlett, Olmstead & Parks 2004, pp. 185–188.
- ^ Hazlett, Olmstead & Parks 2004, pp. 189–191.
- ^ Hazlett, Olmstead & Parks 2004, p. 184.
- ^ Johnson & Anderson 1995, pp. 22–23.
- ^ Johnson & Anderson 1995, pp. 27–29.
- ^ Hazlett, Olmstead & Parks 2004, p. 187.
- ^ Hazlett, Olmstead & Parks 2004, p. 182.
- ^ Johnson & Anderson 1995, p. 22.
- ^ Eisenhower 1989, p. xxiii.
- ^ Eisenhower 1989, p. 135.
- ^ Eisenhower 1989, p. 188.
- ^ Hazlett, Olmstead & Parks 2004, p. 88.
- ^ Johnson & Anderson 1995, pp. 21–23.
- ^ Hazlett, Olmstead & Parks 2004, p. 188.
- ^ Reece 1901, p. 662.
- ^ Cozzens 1997, p. 243.
- ^ Hazlett, Olmstead & Parks 2004, p. 51.
- ^ Hazlett, Olmstead & Parks 2004, pp. 191–193.
- ^ Shea & Hess 1992, p. 337.
- ^ Johnson & Anderson 1995, p. 47.
- ^ Johnson & Anderson 1995, p. 89.
- ^ Johnson & Anderson 1995, p. 92.
- ^ Johnson & Anderson 1995, p. 108.
- ^ Cole 2002, p. 86.
- ^ Coggins 1983, p. 66.
- ^ Coggins 1983, p. 77.
- ^ a b Johnson & Anderson 1995, p. 25.
- ^ a b Hazlett, Olmstead & Parks 2004, p. 217.
References
- Coggins, Jack (1983). Arms and Equipment of the Civil War. New York, N.Y.: Fairfax Press. ISBN 0-517-402351.
- Cole, Phillip M. (2002). Civil War Artillery at Gettysburg. Cambridge, Mass.: Da Capo Press. ISBN 0-306-81145-6.
- ISBN 0-8078-5783-1.
- ISBN 0-394-56051-5.
- Hazlett, James C.; Olmstead, Edwin; Parks, M. Hume (2004). Field Artillery Weapons of the American Civil War. Urbana, Ill.: University of Illinois Press. ISBN 0-252-07210-3.
- Johnson, Curt; Anderson, Richard C. Jr. (1995). Artillery Hell: The Employment of Artillery at Antietam. College Station, Tex.: Texas A&M University Press. ISBN 0-89096-623-0.
- Reece, J. N. (1901). "Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Illinois: 1861–1866". Springfield, Ill.: Journal Company, Printers and Binders. p. 662. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
- Shea, William L.; Hess, Earl J. (1992). Pea Ridge: Civil War Campaign in the West. Chapel Hill, N.C.: The University of North Carolina Press. ISBN 0-8078-4669-4.
See also
- Downey, Brian (2019). "The Weapons of Antietam". Antietam on the Web.
- Morgan, James (2002). "Green Ones and Black Ones: The Most Common Field Pieces of the Civil War". civilwarhome.com.
- Ripley, Warren (1984). Artillery and Ammunition of the Civil War. Charleston, S.C.: The Battery Press. OCLC 12668104.