The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-11-28

as much injury as the same number of
muskets, (besides the splinters Of the ex-
ploded shell, at a distance far beyond the
range of musketry. The peculiar charac-
teristic of this projectile is that it should
burst during its flight in front of the object.
When this occurs the bullets, which are
thus forced from the case, continue the
flight in the same direction, and with the
same velocity which the projectile had at
the moment of explosion; they spread
themselves out in the form of cone, and
strike the object in an Oblique direction,
inclining from above downward. The burst
ing charge has for its objet the rupture of
the case only, and not the increase of the
velocity of the bullets. Shrapnel or spher
ical case shot is employed with great
success against close lines of infantry and
cavalry slanting upon open ground, and
with still greater effect against columns of
troops of great depth and corresponding
front; likewise against artillery in position,
especially when it can be taken obliquely.
Canister ShOt-Canister shot consists of
a number of small balls confined in a me-
tallic case, and may be used in 6, - and
24-pounder guns. In the firing the case is
broken by the shock Ofthe exploded charge,
in the piece, and the balls spread them
selves out in front of the muzzle in the
shape of cone. On favorable ground,
canister is used against lines or columns of
troops up to 600 PAGES with the 6-pounder,
and up to 500 PAGES with a 12-pounder gun.
Under 600 PAGES it is annihilating, and de-
cides the fray in few moments. 1t may
be used against the enemy's artillery in the
last stages of attack, in order to put their
men and horses horS lie conebot; it is par
ticularly effective when it can be thrown in
on the flank of an enemy's battery. 1t is
more surely effective than shrapnel fire,
especially in quck firing and the object in
motion, and should always be used in de-
Tense Of a battery when the attacks Of the
enemy's troops are to be driven Oft.
Grape StOt.-Grape shot are small shot
corded and quilted into a cylindrical form,
and attached to a metallic spindle fastened
to sabots. They are made in sizes accord
ing to the caliber of the pieces used, the
shot flying asunder and scattering as they
leave the spindle. In close engagements
grape is very effective, and like spherical
case shot, in many instances, if well served,
often decides the fate Of q contest.
THE lanes Ps'ojectile.-During the past
three years, there have been great improve
ments in projectiles as well as ordnance.
Among the recent inventions may be found
that of the James Proiectile, an invention
of General James, of Rhode Island, who
was killed few weeks since, while expert
menting with shells at Sag IIarbor, Long
Island. This projectile is cylindrical
shot, with q conical head of cast iron, the
cylindrical part, at the ends, one-thrtieth
OF an inch less in diameter than the bore of
the gun, and having depression around
its center portion, from which, like the
mortises in the hub of wheel, eight rec
tangular openings connect with the central
cavity in the rear end. The depressed
portion Of the cylinder is of sheet tin, COW
cred with another Of canvas (the diameter
of the tin tube being equal to the greater
diameter of the cast iron cylinder, and its
length equal to the width of the depres-
sion), and is filled in with molten lead,
which adheres to the tin, forming com
plete band around the central portion of
the projectile. In the discharges, the
gases are forced into the central cavity,
pressing this band outward, and the canvas
Is compressed into the grooves, preventing
the escape of any portion of the gases past
the bullet.
The Hotchhiss P,'ojectile.-The proiec-
tile which is now extensively used in the
United States Army, was invented by Mr.
HOtchkiss, of Sharon, Connecticut. 1t is
of cast iron, covered in the middle with an
enlarged zone or wide band of lead, design
ed to procure tight fit. To the rear end
is attached cast iron cap, wedge-shaped
in front, which is driven to the rear end
of the shot and into the belt, jacket or
| covering of lead This combines several
Of the older inventions for small rifed
arms now in use, adapting them to the
large projectiles of hard metal, either shot
or shell required for cannon. The Hotch-
kiss projectile was used with much effect
at the battle of Williamsburg and at An
tietam by the artillery in the army of the
Potomac.
The Sapyes' Projectiie-This invention
Of Mr.. Sylvanus Sawyer, of Fitchburg,
Mass, is attracting much attention among
artillerists. It is an elongated, hollow, non
expanding shot, covered with a coat of
lead and furnished with projections adapt
ed to the groves of the chamber, which
make one turn in 90 feet. A small 6-poun-
der gun tested in June, 1861, at the Rip
Raps, in Hampton Roade, threw projec-
tile with accuracy distance of three miles
and experiments since made under super
vision of Capt. Dahlgren at the Washing
ton Navy Yard, prove it to be an invalua-
BILE projectile, it being suitable for naval as
well as land service. At the practice bat
terry in Washington, Capt. Dalgren has
given these projectiles very severe test,
and his report to the Government recon-
mends their adoption into the service oil
the United States.
Since the breaking out of the present
war, an immense number of inventions fol
ordnance and projectiles have been sub.
mitted to the War Department, and to the
inspection of the Boord of Ordnance, many
of them very valuable, and some of which
will, no doubt, be early introduced into
the service. The student of ordnance and