Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-01-15

! division is together they are Immediately fol-
lowed nv the 9Th regiment, so that if fight
should occur in which the whole division is
engaged. our Clearfield boys would not be far
apart. This just suits them. They desire TO
he close to each other, and whenever it is re-
ouired they will be found standing shoulder
TO shonlder against the enemies of their coun-
try.
l will now give you an account of some
things that found of interest to me, and will
be, perhaps, to most of the good citizens at
home-for to them the munitions and para
phanalia of war are as unfamiliar, as they were
to me. The first thing that attracted my at
tention, was the Artillery. / found that the
cannon were of three OF four different kinds
and sizes. The famous Parrot gun is singu
lar piece of ordinance. Those that | had the
pleasure of examining were ten-pouDders. At
the breach they are about one foot in dame
ter, which size they hold for about two feet of
their length, when there is an abrupt dimlnu-
tion to about inches. From this point they
diminish towards the muzze, at which their
diameter is only about inches. They have
three groves in them, which are SPIRAL and
cover about one third of the interior surface.
The groves are very shallow-not over one
sixteenth of an inch in depth. The guns be-
ing made of steel, they are very strong and
yet very light in comparison to the weight of
ball they throw. The Parrot are the most
except perhaps the Whitworth, which are
said to be of greater range, but are heavier
and more difficult TO handle in the fed be-
ing about twelve feet in lengthy. There are
no Whlt%orth guns in the Reserve, and am
told but six in the vicinity of Washington.
IS mi ssnt be supposed, the bore of the Parrot
gus is quite small-about two and half
inches. The balls are long and pointed at the
front end, and covered at the butt end with
lead and canvass. The force of the exploded
powder expands the lead covering in such a
manner as to fit tight into the grooves, and
thereby giving the ball spiral motion as ii is
coming out. This is true of all rifed cannon
the balls being constructed 10 go in loosely
and to come out tight. Shells are also used
with these guns, as we'll as those made of
brass. The howtzers differ from other guns
in being much shorter III proportion to their
bore, and in having a recess in them to con-
| tain the charge OF powder. Theytare used to
fire hollow shot, such as shell grape, canister,
and scrapnel shot-which are not as heavy as
solid shot Of the same size. Less powder is
required for these missiles. and for the same
reason less strength in the gun. The common
brass guns are of the same pattern as they
have been Tor years except that nearly all are
now rihed in place of being smooth bores.
The groves differ from those of the steel guns
being smaller and more of them. The pri-
merS used in discharging the guns are curious
little affairs that do their work effectually.
By their adoption the old custom of pouring
powder into the vent in order to prime the
gun, is dispensed with, as is also the lock for
merly attached to explode the percussion
cap. The primer is simply small copper
tube that fits loosely into the vent and extends
downwards towards the charge couple of
inches. About half an inch remains above the
gun and has small piece of metal passing hor-
izontally through it, TO which small ring is
| attached. One of the men attending the gun
| holds a string in his hand having small hook
on the end of it. AS soon the primer is in
serted, which is at the moment the rammer is
withdrawn, he hooks his string fast to the pri-
mer and at the word ssfre" pulls the small
! piece of metal out of it, which causes the can
non to be discharged. By the use of the
modern primer the guns can be loaded ard
tired with greater rapdity, in fact, than a
musket even in skillful hands. Each gun has
box upon the front wheels containing anu
milton. Each gun is also followed by four
wheeled vehicle called a ssCassOn," upon
which three boxes are placed, also containing
ammunition. Six horses used TO haul each
gun and each caisson, for all guns under II
Founders. For heavier guns used in the field
eight horses--making twelve to sixteen horses
for each gun. Each pair of horses has its
teamster, who rides upon his near horse and
controles the other horse properly. In what
is Ca He'd 'Mounted Artillery the cannoniers
ride upon the cannon carriage or walk. In
ssHorse'' or .sFiying Artillery the connoniers
ride upon horseback, having one man whose
special duty is to take care of their horses
during or action, or as they call it, s'Serv
ing the gum The rapidity with which gun
with it's caiSson can be brought on the field,
unlim bered, loaded and fired is truly astonlsh-
ing TO one unaccustomed TO such things.
Yours for the present, TRAVELLER.