New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-03-31
WIARpS SYSTEM or MARINE ARTILLERY

ONcnlN -orsabiEeu auu Htll'tteu e!stouA VI -
Artillery for special service in the ha'oois
aud on other inland waters, sud the shallow waters
along our exposed aud extended coast cannot DC
overestmaied. The want OF comprehensive
easily managed AMI Trustworthy system vi s'ahs
pOralion for men, stores, and artillery, from our
ships Of war and transports on great extent OF
scaboard, aud on our mighty lakes and rivers, o the
sdiscept sbore, whether on "a great maritime expe-
6ition sych AZ that Of burnside or Banks, or for
crossing in the face of the enemy, as at Fredereks'
burg has resulted iu every way to our Disadvantages.
Not only has this want been felt 1T the moment Of
action, but previously in The hcnr Of preparation,
when, from want Of suitable combination, veXs-
tious delays occurred which were, Ito certain
tent fatal to the interests aud TO the purposes OF
nearly every expedition that las been organized
during he present war.
Nv attention was first attracted to this department
of our war service while was engaged in fitting
out the Burnside expedition. Great promptiiude
was demanded; delay was impossible, and from the
want have already stated, bad to use almost su-
perbuman exertions 10 find even stores that could De
rode to serve tie purpose required, many OF them
having to be created or imPr0rlsed from such nate
rails as could be gathered the shortest notice. and
be made to serve as best they might
From that time determined to prepare remedy
for this obvious defect in our military system. so that
when the Government had sudden necessity for the
utmost energies Of such organization, 1t could be
rut into successful operation at once and accomplish
a. much in two weeks satisfactorily as could De
effso,ed under the present no-sysiem manner in as
many months.
The results of nv labors will be found hereinafter
sst forth Ny extensive experience has suggested
- me every essential detail required to perfect my
system of Ma inc Artillery, so as to sdaptit to, and
make it GIL efficient and Indispensable part OF ell our
armies In the fed, especially of all mixed armed ex-
peditions for service on land or water; and have
reason to know ths, my system is warmly Endorsed
by the most eminent officers in active service in the
South, where tue first fruits Of my labors, produced
under every disadvantage, have been for many
months in practical operation.
In preparing the expedition of Gen. Burnside for
service in North Carolina, it was decided to or.
GAME q new branch Of the service, 10 be called
Marine Artillery. As Superintendent of Ordnance
stores was directed TO consult with Col. VIM A.
Howard, and supply the necessary guns, carriages
and implements for the purpose, and, accordingly,
twelve steel l2-pounder rihed boat bowitxers were
provided, of my fabrication, each with sliding aud
Gsld.carriage, implements, and ammunition, and
four 6-poupder "Wisrd" ield-guns, equipped so q,
10 adapt them 10 be used in the same manner. Col.
Howard enlisted the men for a regiment, caused the
aaunches TO be made, and secured two lght-draft
steamboats,, as well designed for the purpose as pos
sibie On one OF these steamboats, four guns were
placed and each Of the steamboats, Of the fleet was
prepared 10 receive one or more Of these guns, if
H., 4 to ham in thQt
manner. Notwithstanding the preparation was il
. measure imperfectly made from the fact thai
proper steamboats, could not DO procured in the lin
tied time allowed for fitting out the expedi
tion, the Marine Artillery has borne an i'm
portant part in every battle in that State, an
has been spoken Of by GsE Foster as formiD
a. an essential part of all coastwise expeditions.
1t has frequently been reported to by officers in
the division of North Carolina that lisht-draf steam.
boats were necessary to The complete success Of Marine
Artillery, and Gen Foster reported to the Ordnance
Depsrtmert that, with the addition of light-lm-
Der. the use of these guns need not be confined to
the sescoas" Having been successful in construct.
ing light.draf and fast steamboats, for Western
rivers, conceived the idea Of designing boat for
the Marine Artillery, and when the Picket, the best
boat for the purpose Chat, however, drew five feet
up by the explosion of her magazine. exhibited
tho drawings of the boat had prepared TO Col.
Howard, and he expressed himself delighted with
it. had previously, at bis request designed q
3ight-limber aud harness with Which he was also 90
much pleased that he procured requisitiou from
Gen. Foster for twelve Of them. / exhibited the
plans for Marine Artillery equipment to the Hon. p.
II. Watson, the able Assistant Secretary Of War,
and to Gen. Banks and be so far approved Of 1t that
he directed me to provide for bis expedition twelve
guns, with carriages, launches, and all the equip.
ment except the seamers which there was not
time 10 prepare before his expedition sailed, and be
hoped to make up this deficiency from some Of the
Igbt-drs steamboats, be might be ablo to procure ut
bis place OF destination.
The organ cation Of the Marine Artillery, for
continuous active duty with ight-drAit steamboats,
instead Of the heavier ships Of the Navy for coast
river and land service, has created the Necessity for
. manual in which full and detailed description Of
the equipment Of the guns stee mboats and launches
should be incorporated with instructions for toe
service Of the guns the steamboats,, ia launches,
and On shore, which, however, has not yet been
provided. have such manual in preparation, and
hold mysef ready 10 complete it "a; any time tie
War Department may request it, without charge for
my services.
BY adopting 10 much of the equipment and service
oil the piece as lie avaablefrOm the Naval Boat-Gun
service. we have Light Artillery that much excels
any other Light Artillery yet adopted by the military
departments OF the United States or foreign nGtions.
For instance, i've regiments Of Marine |
Artillery would be supplied with GO pups