davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-09-20


the bottom. The sides are shaved around
perfectly even by machine, so that they
shall exactly fit into the cannon. When the
powder explodes, it partially blows off the
loves part Of this band, which is forced into
the rifle grooves, and causes the projectile to
assume the circular motion.
One great feature Of this form of projectile
is, that the weight can be increased to the ca
pacity Of the gun, without altering the size
Of the bore. The other projectile is on some
what the same principle, viz: the expansion
of strip of soft iron fastened to it. Space
precludes particular description. Many in
teresting experiments have been made with
the different methods of causing the circular
motion by filling these grooves. We can on
ly say, however, that as Uncle Sam has adopt
ed these, they are doubtless the best When
used as shells,they require either time-fuse,
or percussion hammer. The first is where
they desire the shell to explode within GER
tain time; the second, where it is to explode
on striking the object. For the time-iuse,
the powder crculates round and round, in a
little powder cap, which covers the hole at
the pointed end. The explosion lights one
end of the powder, and it burns long enough
for the ball to 60, say two miles. If it is de-
sired to burst when it has gone a mile, the
artillerist cuts notch in tn. cap half way
down, to let the powder ignite there. As the
fire has but half as far to 90 to reach the
general magazine, of course the shell bursts
IN half the time. Thus, great skill is requi-
site to judge exactly the distance the projec-
tile must 90 before bursting. The caps are
marked, to show where to cut for the various
distances.
The percussion-hammer has fastened to a
Siding frame, in the end of the shell, two
nipples, like those Of common musket lock,
which are filled with powder connecting the
magazine. The nipples are covered with per-
cussion caps, and the whole concern has a
play of couple of inches. When the shell
strike, the object its motion is stopped, but
the momentum carries the nipple frame for
ward with great force, and strikes the caps
on an iron covering outside. This explodes
the cap, and, consequently. the magazine.-
The cost of these is in the peighborhood of
one dollar each fur the smallest. The foun-
derry had cast each day, ,l6O projectiles of
various sizes and kinds, but were intending
soon to turn out 1000 day. They are also
sending of twenty-five cannon of various 81
zes per week. To accomplish this requires u
force of lJ9 men, who appear to work with
a will. In newspaper description, where
words have to be counted, much interesting
information has to be omitted 1t can be
obtained, however, at the toundery, where. if
loyal, visitors may depend upon receiving ex-
ceedins attention and courtesy-a character
lstlc Of the greasy mechanics and mud
stills" of the North.
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-09-20

whelming majority Of her people would shout
for the tnion. We want Kentucky, who
fought with US side by side, at New Orleans,
TO come and DO so again and under the same
tas for the same cause-Liberty. If you
give US your help, the Stars and Stripes will
float over every Court House in the State in
a very brief period. tCries of we will, We
will 4"
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-09-20
Accidents from Firearms.

SAco, Me-, Sept. E, 1861.
10 the Editor Of The Boston Joarnal.
Having just read the account of the dread
ful accident by which Ex-Governor Briggs
was so fearfully injured, am induced to say
few words in regard to the use of the pcrcus-
sion lock. 1t is well known to YOU and the
readers Of your journal, that since the COM
meneement Of the war there have been almost
numberless instances of accidental shootn.
of soldiers and others, but it does no: seem
to be generally known, or even suspected.
how these accidents occur and how they may
be-with almost certainty
Having used the percussion gur constant
ly ever since it was first introduced, my ex-
perience has led me to adopt an invariable
rule. 1t this: IFhea the gun is charged
ncrer allow tie lock to be IN any other state
tran half cock, except at the moment before
firing. The reasons why this rule should be
adopted and religiously observed are briefly
these: The lock is so constructed that when
at half cock provided it is good for anything
and no other should ever be used) it cannot
be moved from that point toward the cap to
explode it, in any possible way. You may
strike it violently and it will not Weld until
the lock itself breaks in pieces. Ifby any ac-
cident it is moved in the opposite direction,
it must 80 back until it is fully cooked, and
must remain there until the trigger is touch
er. 1fit does not 90 back to that point it
cannot possibly, in returning, pass the point
Of its first position-that of half cock-unless
the trigger is touched at the moment, which
would seldom if ever happen.
Many sportsmen are in the habit of carry
ing the gun "at the COCK" even when in COM
pany with others, as we'll as when alone
Should twig accidentally touch the trigger,
should the sportsman stumble and fall, or
strike heavy blow with the breech against
a tree, the gun explodes; it may be HARM
lessly, or perhaps at the expense of life or
limb. Nerer cock the gun until the moment
before firing. Again, others are under the
erroneous impression that the safest wayis to
carry the hammer down upon the cap. The
truth is, that is the most dangerous Of aN.-
When the hammer is pressed upon the cap,
the jarring caused by the various movements
in handling the gun is constantly bringing
the percussion powder to such state that a
very slight tar upon the hammer will explode
it. Now this is precisely the way in which
almost all the accidents happen by which so
many wounds are inflicted and lives lost by
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-09-20
Miscellaneous War News.

Commodore Stringham has made supple
mentary report, in which he says Il ven
ture to relate two incidents. The raising of
the United States flag upon Fort Clark have
mentioned, and that it was deed of noble
daring was apparent to friends and enemies
1t was done by sailor from the Paxnee, one
OF the few from that vessel out of their ship,
their boat having been swamped in landing
troops. The Minnesotians yet talk of j. r.,
kraig gbaum and his gun sponge He acci-
dentally dropped overheard his sponge. and
instantly jumped after it. grasped it, swan up
to the port and was helped in by his com
rades. When asked by his officer why he
did SO rash an act, he replied that he did not
want his gun to be disgraccd.'
A bottle has been picked up on The shore
at Winthrop, by Hiram Plummer, containing
the following II was impressed on board
of the Sumter. and belong in Salem, Mass.
and shall desert the first opportunity.
SAMUEL MEAp.
July 80, 1861"
81 was also impressed on board the Sumter
at the same time with Samuel Mead and We
both desire to leave, but strict watch is
kept over Us. and we are obliged TO do the
most menial duty, on account of our northern
origin. GEORGE SMITH,
New Bedford.
Gen Mcclellan. with the true eve Of a sol
der, when he rode through the camp of Gen
Bienker and saw the admirable discipline 10
which his men had been brought. said, with
an unfeigned feeling OF delight. When am
amongyou Germans, ALWAYS fee, as if | had
got among soldiers
1t is stated upon good authority that the
officer killed or. Saturday week on Mun.on's
Hill. by rifle shot fired by Major Minturn.
was George W. Hughes of MARYLAND. son
of Gen Hughes of Baltimore. He was a vio-
lent secessionist, and raised cavalry force
in Mary land TO prevent the movement of
troops to Washington from Annapolis. when
the city was in such danger. Subsequently
be went 70 Virginia, and took command in
the rebel army
Rlfied cannon Of great capacity are now
being supplied TO our navy in larse numbers
Eighty -pou.!trs ave bec. turned out at The
navy ward !, Washington, and tested h,
Com nahisr5n. These effective weapons vii.
far exceed ali Others in range and accuracy
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-09-20

for have experience and can understand
properly better than you can in this case, be-
cause YOU are carried hastily away by the i'm
pulse of the moment.
Depend upon it am right, and you will
say SO. Again, am sad because you are
spending too much money. You must be
more prudent, or you will get into debt and
lose your lace. Think of it.
You must change, become minded, and
lead different life, and then you will be
happy. o, my dear son, follow my advice,
and make your poor afflicted mother happy
by noble and yirtuous career. You are not
child, and should put away childish things,
and be man, man Of fixed principles. do
ing what is right, and stunning what is
wrong. and by 50 doing you will establish a
good name, which is precious. | again re-
quest you to save all the money you can, not
so much on my account as on your dear bro
theirs. We don't know but that he NAV
come home from the war SICK Or womded,
and he will have to depend on you, and for
every dollar you save for him, he will give
you two. | write this for your own vel
fare and happiness. Think Of it. Take my
advice and seek aid from your Heavenly Fa-
ther, by prayer, night and morning, and ere
long you will have cause to thank your
AfFECTIONATE NuTHER.
[. s. NaI.
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-09-20

~ The many accidents from the careless
use Of firearms induces us to ask the partcu-
lar attention of our readers to the following
communication from "an Old Sportsman. y
Similar directions to insure safety have be-
fore been given in our columns, but they
cannot be too often repeated Boston Jour-
n0l
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-09-20

! ~" - IeYuIel1e, anu On tne proper mixture
of the two kinds, the character of the gun
depends, and much skill and many expert
ments have been devoted to producing exact
ly the proper proportions.
CASTING A GUN.
The metal being melted in huge furnace
short distance off, is sometimes allowed to
run through little ditch in the earth direct
ly into the mold, but more commonly i,
caught in large iron pot, swung from a
heavy crane, and from that poured into the
tube by the side Of the mold 1t is beauti-
ful sight as the molten mass flows, bubbling
and sputt; ;ring, roaring in its new quarters,
and bursting out into flames at every oppor-
tunity. The iron gradually rises in the can
non mold until it reaches the top. The up
per part is apt to have air bubbles, dross,
etc, mixed in with it, which impairs its
strength. Therefore the cast is about foot
longer than the cannon should be. 1t is lef;
some time to cool, care being taken to pre-
vent the outside cooling much faster than the
inside as the unequal contraction of the met
al would mach diminish the strength.
After cooling, it is taken from the mold,
the sand, Of course, being scattered and de-
is hue e..
of iron, not shaped very much like the finish
ed gun. The mass on one side, formed by
the filled tube, has to be broken off, and the
gun is taken to lathe, where it is made
slowl ly to revolve, and steel cutter fastened
to stationary bar bores out the interior
The outside rough iron is then turned of,
leaving the surface bright and well finished.
1t then fastened on a wheel which turns
it end overs and in such man neras to allow
cutter to dress the trunions or axles. This
being done the touchhole is bored out, when
the gun is completed.
TESTING THE STRENGTH.
The next operation is to test its strength
This was formerly done by putting in very
heavy charge, much heavier than would ever
be used in action. If the gun stood this, it
was supposed to be able to stand an ordinary
charge. But it was finally ascertained tina,
the overcharge sometimes weakened the gun
without showing any immediate traces
Therefore they now usually take from the
barrel near the muzzle, or from the lower
end of the piece cut off small portion, which
they form into cylinder one inch in diane
ter and two inches long. The specific gravi-
ty and other qualities are carefully noted,and
the hardness Of the metal tested. BY max
ing the proper calculations on the strength of
this cylinder, the firmness of the gun is as
certained. SO accurate have these scientific
tests become, that sn inferior gun will at
once be detected. The cannon is now ready
for use.
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-09-20
THE RIFLE CANNON.

There is also being here manufactured a
new rlfled cannon, called the Parrot gun. 1t
has been in use for only few months, bu,
bids fair to be very superior Implement
Perhaps i: is best not to be too Minute in
describing its manufacture The gun is first
made considerably smaller than the Dahlgren
gun. Around the chamber, where the force
of the plosion occurs, band of wrought
from is fastened. This band is made by
twisting huge bar into spiral cylinder, some
ching like an old fashioned wirs-spring. |,
is then welded together securely. This for
nation greatly increases its strength 1t is
then "shrunk" on to the gun, which is done
by heating it, which expands it so as to allow
it to be slipped upon the gun. As it cools it
shrinks, and clasps the gun in a tremendous
grip. This is on the same principle as
shrinking on wheel-t;re. 1t is then bored
and finished off as the other guns.
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-09-20
MIXTURE OF IRONS.

there are two requisites in the iron for
cannon. Hardness--so as to prevent the
'ouch-hoe blowing out, or the inside wear
'AS away by the ball. But, il too hard, it is
liable to be brittle and burst. Therefore soft
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-09-20

iron is requisite, and on the proper mixture
Of the two kinds, the character of the gun
depends, and much skill and many expert
ments have been devoted to producing exact
ly the proper proportions.
CASTING A GUN
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-09-20
PROCESS OF RIFLlNG,


The next process is the riaing of the bore,
for the purpose of giving circular motion
to the projectile. The gun is placed station
airy upon lathe, and knife, arranged some
what like plane iron attached to long bar,
is forced down the length Of the bo:e, cut
ting slight groove. As it goes down the
bar is slightly turned, so as to give turn to
the grooves, equal to one revolution in twen-
ty-seven feet. When the cutter has reached
the end Of the groove,-which is where the
shell is placed when loading 1T is then with
drawn, and the plane iron, so to designate it,
is forced out little further, so that it will
cut the grooves a little deeper. In this way
they are gradually cut to the proper depth
In the small guns there are three rife grooves
and in the large, FIVE. 1t occupies about two
hours to cut single groove. This rifing
process is one Of the greatest improvements
in modern enginery Of war.
PRoJEcT1LE.
Having thus hastily glanced at the manu-
facture Of the guns, We must look at tie pro-
jectiles, of which there are four kinds being
made. The ordinary cannon-ball, the bomb
shell, Reeds elongated projectile, and Par
rott's projectile. The ball and shell are cast
in sand as is the gun, new mold having to
be made for each one cast. Usually, four are
cast in one box, and are joined together by
channels, so that the iron is all poured into
one mouth. These bars, formed by the filled
channels, are broken of, and the joint cut
even, so that they shall not scrape the cannon
bore. The two projectiles much resemble
each other in form. They are curved to a
point at one end, and are about eleven inches
long by about three inches in diameter, vary.
ing, of course, according to the gun for which
they are intended. They are cast hollow, by
having an inverted cone of sand in the mold
which is scraped out of small hole in the
projectile when cold. Thus they are in fact
bomb-shells. In the Parrott projectile
around the lower end is a band of hard com
Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-11-29
TENNESSEE LEGISLATURE
SENATE.

THURSDAY. Nov. %. 1861.
Tue Senate met al O'Clock, the Speaker
presiding, and the journal was read
Mr.. HIidreth presented petition from Ger.
taih ciiizens OF Fentfess county, asking a
change OF lines between that county and
OVerton, and moved the reference to the
committee on New Counties and County
Lines, which vas agreed To. 81
mr. Jones. from the Committee on the Jn-
dietary, reported Senate Bill, No. 81, to reg
niate the fees OF sherifis AID other officers,
and recommended its rejection.
ar. McNeely introduced Senate Bill. No
92, 10 enable the people of Lewis county to
consolidate the offices of sheriff and collector.
which passed its first trading.
Mr. Cardw ell, Bill No. 49, to amend the
military law, which passed is first reading,
aud was referred TO the Committee on Mill
tarV Affairs.
Several House bills were read and commit
ted, also several bills on second reading were
passed.
SENATE BILLS ON THIRD READrNG-Senate
Bill No. 40, was taken up, and several
amendments were offered, when. on motion
OF Mr.. Bumpass, the bill and amendments
were laid on the table. .ss. -..- --.
Mr. ffiIdreth offered resolution, that tie
Scott County Rangers be received into the
service OF the State by the Governor, on CON
dition that they ar not to be ordered out OF
the State. Adopted and ordered to be trans
mitted to the House.
Mr.. Cardwell asked and obtained leave of
absence for Mr. Turner for an indefinite De-
Rod, he having engaged in the military ser
vice OF the Confederate States
On motion of Mr.. CardweIl, Mr. Hayron
was added to the Committee on Confederate
Relations.
On motion OF Mr.. Barrow, Mr.. Hayron was
added 10 the Committee on Military Affairs.
The Senate thea took recess till 81 o.
clock.
AFTERNOON sES ION.
The Senate resumed The consideration OF
BILLS ON THIRD READiNG-The bill to reg
ulate private corporations. passed and trans
United.
Bill No. 50. TO carry out provisions of Ar
ticle |. section rs, OF the Constitution, passed
and transmitted
Bill o. IS, to Incorporate the Tennessee
Bible Society, passed aud transmitted
SENATE Resolution MIR. Lane offered a
resolution 10 adjJurn sH4s de on Wednesday,
the l4th December. Lees over
Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-11-29
The Evansvillel dadiapa, 5ysurnal is ai.i

The Evansville, Qndiapa) Journal is disi
pleased with the people of Onion county,
KY. 1t charges that they sympa thize With
the "rebels" and are selling them hogs. &c.
1t has discovered also that passengers, with
great trunks, are allowed to pass through to
"Secessia.s' And, for these grave offences,
Ii recommends that federal force be station
ed at Uniohtown TO cut off traffic aud inter-
course. II lets OUT the fact, too, that there
are "traitorsn ia Indiana who are encoura-
ging smuggling. Who would have thought
=? Traitors ia Indiana--we thought that
was a soil which produced only heroes and
patriots. - O. .-,a5fy
Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-11-29
lhe Trouble i'm Russia.
The London Times of November thu

The London Tunes of November thus al
ludes to the state of affairs in Russa:
'.The new Emperor inau gurated new era
Of peace and Of comparative liberty. be has
permitted a discussion of puplic affairs in
The Russian press which would not have been
tolerated for an instant under the reign of
his father He has relaxed commercial re-
striction; he has striven hard to connect his
dominions by railroads and electric tele-
graphs, and, above all, no has iabored indie
fatigably TO restore twelve millions of his
subjects to that liberty which they enjoyed
still the close of the sixteenth century. No
one can doubt the excellence OF his inten-
lions. but it may be permitted to question
the wisdom of bis counsels. The emancipa-
ton a. once of whole nation of serts, be it
managed with ever so much skill and pru-
dence, must imply great political, econom-
cal and social revolution. It is not easy TO
divine what are the exact prospects of the
Russian aristocracy. whose lands have hither-
to derived their value mainly from the num-
Der of souls or serfs which are settled on
them. They can hardly cultivate those vast
domains by hired labor; they can hardly, in q
country 50 thinly people, expect to find ten
ants possessed Of the requisite skill and cap
i,al. Whatever their opinion may be as to
the Justice of emancipation, they must feel
discomfort as to the present and most har-
assing uncertainty as to the future. On the
serts themselves the effect of so violent
change is equally dangerous and uncertain.
The notions of labor and slavery are asso-
ciated together in their minds, and the mo-
ment they are delivered from the one they
are likely enough to emancipate themselves
from the other. We have heard of insurrec-
tion against the provisional state of things
which is TO intervene between slavery and
freedom, and of executions on scale which
in any other European country would stir to
their very depths the ferces; passions of the
people 1t is difficult to pass from system
of complete repression TO a state of modified
and temperate liberty. The slave knows no
medium between stern coercion aud unbrid-
led 1icense This state of things has been
further complicated by the revival of spirit
of nationality 10 Poland. partially caused by
the greatest mildness OF the government
whose hand has long been 30 heavy on this
PROSTATE nation, and partly by that spirit of
the revival and union of nationalities which
has given birth to the great Italian. revolu-
tlon.o
Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-11-29
cen. anair,r.on,. Rrisads,

Late letters from members of this brigade
state thai Col. MAHEY's and Col. Possess
regiments have been ordered into winter
quarters near HnntersviiIe, one company of
the former regiment occupying The TOYS ~
Those in the town are securely housed, Whilst
those outside. are engaged in The deli ghtful'
recreation Of telling trees in the primesal
forests to obtain timber to construct rhuts--5
The remaining regiment. Col H4rTex's, is
eneamped at EWsrm Spnugs. The whole
brigade. are expected TO remain at their pres
ent quarters during the entire winter. atTbey
have encountered the greatest bardships IN
the service In Western Virginia troops
outside of that section of country have suf-
Tered bali as much; and it was hoped that
fhe government would assign them some 9th
er and more agreeable quarters for the win-i
ter Bat IL has been deemed proper 10 re-
tain them there. We have no doubt they
win acquiesce .cheerfully. and discharge,
their duties faithfully, hard though the de-.
cision be. They will have but little else to
do than testake care of, themselyes, and IL. is
not likely they swiibrba very neglected. of
The Yankees are not close enou Oh to
afford them sport, and unless there |. an oc-i
oasioual bear. or wolf, or deer hunt, 10 EN-
hven them. we do not know what they will
do Tor fun.s-SX -ueE az aSx7ap
Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-11-29

J Mr.. SPEAKER CHEArHAH,--A lady corres-
pendent of the Atlanta (Ga.) Crusader. in a
long account of a trip to Nashville and Bow
ling Green, speaks of visit to the CapitoI
and remarks" We found the assembled wis
dom Of The State in council. The Speaker Of
the Senate Is a noble looking man; appa-
rentiy he might carry the hard, honest sense
Of a whole town in his broad brow. and bear
the burdeo of q new Republic on his Allan
team shoulders." A graceful compliment,
Worthily bestowed. 1,.,, 80, t..,,-,, .fit de-