Handbook for Light Artillery
Captain A.B. Dyer, Sixth Artillery, USA

1900

Organization Of Artillery

Artillery troops are divided into light artillery and heavy artillery. To the light artillery belongs the service of the batteries which manoeuvre with troops in the field.

The light-artillery batteries include horse-batteries, in which the cannoneers are mounted on horseback; field-batteries, in which the cannoneers march by the side of their pieces, or are mounted on the ammunition-chests, axle-seats, and off horses; and mountain-batteries, in which the pieces may be transported on pack-animals.

Machine-batteries are designated, according to their equipment and model of gun, as horse, field, or mountain, Gatling, Gardner, etc., batteries.

The 3.2-inch gun is used in both field- and horse-batteries; the 3.6-inch gun is used in field-batteries only.

A field-battery equipped with the 3.2-inch gun is called a light field-battery; one equipped with the 3.6-inch gun is called a heavy field-battery. A battalion of artillery consists of two, three, or four batteries, and is commanded by a field-officer of artillery.

The heavy artillery of an army in the field consists of those batteries which serve the siege- and position-guns, and the artillery-ammunition and supply trains.

The light artillery of an army corps consists of divisional artillery and corps artillery.

The Divisional Artillery consists of a battalion of from two to four batteries, is an integral part of the division, and is commanded by a field-officer who has a staff consisting of an adjutant (lieutenant), sergeant-major, quarter-master-sergeant, and chief trumpeter.

The Corps Artillery consists of two or more battalions; it is composed of field- and horse-batteries in suitable proportions, and is commanded by a colonel who has a staff consisting of an adjutant (lieutenant), a quartermaster and commissary (lieutenant) sergeant-major, quartermaster-sergeant, and chief trumpeter. All the artillery attached to an army corps constitutes an artillery brigade. A battalion of horse-artillery is attached to and is part of each division of cavalry. In smaller commands a battery may be attached to an infantry or cavalry brigade.

The proportion of artillery is from three to four guns to one thousand men. The chief of artillery of an army or corps is a brigadier-general, and is on the staff of the commander of the corps. The corps artillery is under the orders of the brigadier-general, chief of artillery, and he also assumes control of the divisional artillery in action when ordered to do so by the corps commander.

The field-officer commanding the divisional artillery is the chief of artillery of the division, and is on the staff of the division commander, but he will encamp with the divisional artillery.

Composition Of Light Batteries

A battery consists of a fixed number of pieces and caissons of a combined battery-wagon and forge, and an artillery-wagon, together with a sufficient number of officers, men, and horses for the efficient service of the battery.

Organization of Light Batteries-A battery is maintained on one of the following footings: 1, for instruction; 2, for war.

The machinist should be conversant with the construction and mechanism of the gun, and competent to make the ordinary repairs it may require.

The men should be intelligent, active, and muscular, and not less than five feet five inches, nor more than six feet, in height; very large men are specially undesirable. The great majority should be men accustomed to horses; a suitable proportion must be mechanics.

If a public horse be allowed to each subaltern, the number of horses in the above table will be proportionately increased.

The battery-wagon and forge and the artillery-wagon, when not horsed, must be kept with the battery and equipped with the proper tools and stores.

When a battery on the instruction footing is ordered to march, it must be supplied with additional horses necessary to horse all the carriages.

In horse-batteries, in addition to the number of horses above described, ten saddle-horses (including one spare horse) are required for each gun detachment.

Equipment

In garrison the first sergeant, quartermaster-sergeant, stable and veterinary sergeants, and chiefs of section are armed with the sabre, and the caisson corporals, trumpeters, guidon, and drivers also, when specially directed.

In the field the first sergeant, quartermaster-sergeant, stable sergeant, and chiefs of section are armed with the sabre and revolver; all other men are armed with the revolver and knife.

In preparing for a march or field service the kinds and quantities of supplies required will depend on the duration and character of the work. Having determined what is required, divide the work of preparing for service among the officers and non-commissioned officers immediately in charge, and then carefully superintend the work yourself.

Attention is called to the following points:

Rations, forage, medicines, veterinary medicines, instruments, and bandages, leather and spare parts for repairs to harness, carriages, etc., horseshoes, horseshoe-nails, blacksmith's, saddler's, and carpenter's tools (if there be no battery-wagon and forge), field-desk, with a supply of blanks, paper, envelopes, pens, ink, and pencils, the necessary company-books, and a book of telegraph blanks, ammunition (shell, shrapnel, canister, cartridges, fuzes, fuze-cutters, friction-primers, lanyards), oil for harness, cosmoline for guns, equipment and clothing for each man, number and kind of tents, Sibley stoves, axes, hatchets, mauls, scythes, sickles, buckets, spades, shovels, pickaxes, wagon-tongues, coupling-poles, hame-strings, open links, odometer, rope, axle-grease, picket-rope, light jacks, lanterns, matches, cooking utensils, personal outfit.

One of the boxes may be large enough to contain the Buzzacott oven. In order to pack it put in the top inverted, and then invert the body of the oven and set it inside the top.

Equipment And Clothing For Marches

Officers' Clothing, Equipment, Etc

An officer's equipment usually consists of sabre, revolver, and ammunition, and a good binocular-glass. He should also be provided with a compass, watch, knife, and notebook and pencil. A small watch so fitted in a leather strap that it may be worn on the wrist is recommended as very convenient.

The clothing and bedding carried will depend on the climate and the character of the march. The following list contains about everything one requires:

1 water-bucket.
2 undershirts, extra.
1 dipper.
2 flannel shirts.
1 quart cup, tin.
4 pairs socks.
1 washbasin, rubber.
4 towels.
1 small looking-glass.
1/2 doz. handkerchiefs.
1 lantern, with oil or candles for same
1 sponge, in oil-silk bag.
packages of toilet-paper.
1 small oil-stove, fitted in box.
1 portfolio, with pens, ink, paper, envolopes, and stamps.
1 oil-can.
5 gals. oil
1 hold-all, containing comb, brush, clothes-brush, scissors, soap (in soapbox), toothbrush and tooth-powder, shaving materials.
1 tin matchbox.
Box of matches.
1 or 2 folding-chairs.
1 folding-bed.
1 housewife, with needles, thread and buttons.
1 folding-table.
1 rubber blanket.
Pipe, tobacco, and fuzees.
1 small strip carpet.
1 piece stout cord.
1 pillow.
1 tape-measure.
Necessary bedding.
1 pocket-map.
1 pair trousers, extra.
1 blouse, extra.
1 pair shoes.
1/2 doz. shoestrings.
1 pair overshoes.
1 pair slippers.
1 pair gauntlets, extra.
1 campaign hat.
1 overcoat.
1 rubber coat.
In Cold Climate.
1 buffalo or felt-lined overcoat.
1 fur cap.
1 pair fur gloves.
4 pairs woolen socks.
1 pair felt boots.
1 pair high arctic overshoes.
Extra bedding or sleeping-bag.
2 pairs drawers, extra.
Sticking-plaster, lint, safety-pins, tin of mustard-leaves, and a few simple remedies in case of dysentery, diarrhea, constipation, etc.

If messing alone, 1 tin kettle, 1 frying-pan, 2 baking pans (small), 1 wire gridiron, 1 corkscrew, salt-and pepper-boxes, 1 can-opener, 1 small meat-knife, 1 iron fork (long), 1 iron spoon (long), 1 small soup-ladle, 2 plates, 2 tin cups, 2 spoons 2 teaspoons, 2 knives, 2 forks, tablecloths and napkins, and such stores as one may wish.

Equipment And Clothing For Enlisted Men

Equipment for Each Enlisted Man.-One hunting-knife, one pistol, one holster, one pistol-cartridge belt (woven), one screwdriver, one canteen, one cup, one meat-ration can (knive, fork, and spoon), and for each cannoneer one haversack.

Clothing for Each Enlisted Man.-Two blankets, one rubber blanket or poncho, one overcoat, one campaign hat, one pair of leggings, two blouses, two pairs of trousers, two dark blue flannel shirts, two knit undershirts, two pairs of drawers, two pairs of shoes, three pairs of socks, two towels, toilet articles, and stable-clothing for those requiring it. The extra articles will be carried as follows:

By Mounted Non-commissioned Officers, Trumpeters, and Guidon.-Dark-blue flannel shirt, undershirt, drawers, socks, and screwdriver, in saddle-bag, off pocket. Mess-kit, in saddle-bag, near pocket. Blouse, trousers, and shoes, in knapsack. Overcoat, rolled and strapped on the cantle of saddle. Nose-bag, on off side of cantle, the strap passing around and under the overcoat. Canteen and cup (cup on canteen-strap) strapped to near pommel-ring.

By Drivers.-Dark-blue flannel shirt, stable-clothes, and shoes, in saddle-bag, off pocket, near horse. Mess-kit, in saddle-bag, near pocket, near horse. Blouse,trousers, and screwdriver, in the saddle-bag, off pocket, off horse. Undershirt, drawers, and socks, in saddle-bag, near pocket, off horse. Overcoat, rolled and strapped on cantle, near horse. Nose-bags, one on each side of off horse, the strap passing around the cantle and under the overcoat. Canteen and cup (cup on canteen-strap) strapped to near pommel-ring, near horse. Watering-bridles, currycombs, brushes, and halters, in the nose-bags.

By Cannoneers.-Blouse, trousers, and stable-clothes, in knapsack, flap side. Underwear, shoes, and screwdriver, in knapsack, bottom side. Mess-kit in haversack, worn on left side of person, or carried in wagon. Overcoat, strapped on knapsack. Canteen and cup (cup on canteen-strap) worn on right side of person.

The blankets, folded in section bundles, are carried in the wagons. The knapsacks are carried in the wagons.

If there be an artillery-wagon with the battery, all the men have knapsacks and haversacks, which are utilized as prescribed for cannoneers.

When the Army of the Potomac crossed the river in October, 1862, each officer was responsible for his own outfit; each man carried five days' short rations in his knapsack and three in his haversack, one half shelter-tent, his blanket or overcoat, one change of underclothing, and his arms and ammunition.

To Roll the Overcoat.-Turn one sleeve wrong side out, fold the overcoat right side out along middle back seam, sleeve laid straight, sleeve wrong side out underneath.

Fold cape twice from side to side, lay it on coat, collar to collar. Turn edges of coat in so as to make sides parallel, and to measure 12 inches wide at shoulder and 16 inches at bottom. Roll from collar down to within 20 inches of bottom, turn up bottom and pull one thickness of skirt over the roll, making all snug.

A.B. Dyer. Handbook for Light Artillery. (New York: 1900), pp. 261-268.