Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-04-10

In the diagram the heavy lines repre-
sent a section Of the leaden arrow bullet
with centre Of gravity well forward, the
dotted lines represent the hollow sabot
Of wood, or hard papier mache.
On firing, the lighter material, moving
first, would press outWards the arrow
head, and thus destroy Windage, ana the
flight of the trajectory would be as an
arrow, without rotating on the shorter
axis. inasmuch as the centre of inertia
Of the projectile would be in advance OF
the centre Of resistance Of the air. AT
least that was the theory of the COM
nound proiectile devised for the old
smooth-bOre musket.
An attempt was made to use on the
field round conclusion shell from the
howitZers as mortars. In this conclusion
shell a friction primer, properly wrapped
acted as a fuse. its head terminated III
a bullet, which rested on the shoulder OF
the brass fuse that screwed into the smell,
leaving an untitled hollow space 8pout
the bullet. When the round shell struck
any point. except that exactly in rear OF
the prolongation Of the wire, put in the
axis of the bore by using a sabot. the
momentum Of the bullet would draw the
friction primer and explode the SMELL re-
gardless Of the point on which a round
shell struck 4 gun-carriage was maze
for hOwitzers with jOinted trail, as thus
they could be used as mortars, and hred
at n high angle.
These were rather experiments than In
stances of success, and are only men
toned now TO show that the ordnance
officers did something more than simply
attempt 20 initiate the Federals.
They were prevented from accomplish
ing what they planned by reason Of the
want Of machinery 10 do the necessary
work.
During the siege around Petersburg it
was discovered that the shells used for
the large Parrot guns were very defec-
tive-that is, had but very short range.
The shells would start off and fly well,
and straight, revolving on the longer axis
during the first half of the trajectory,
and then suddenly whirl on the shorter
avis and drop almost vertically. one can
tell bv the ear the instant the axis OF
revolution changes, If one gun Is iired.
The action of the shell being observed,
the cause was obvious and a remedy sug-
gested itself The centre of the resist
ance OF the air al re summit OF the ira
iectory was in advance OF the centre OF
inertia. ana produced couple mat
caused the rotation on the shorter axis
The obvious remedy was 10 make the
'front.' Of the shell hemispherical instead
COnOl0dl
Tins put the centre of gravity forward
of the centre Of resistance. with this
change made, the maximum range was
attained; and the complaints of the arul-
lerist ceased.
When we consider the absence Of manu-
factories and machinery and or skilled
mechanics in the South at the beginning
Of the war. its successfully furnishing
ordnance supplies for so large an army
during the four eventful years rs strlk-
ing evidence Of the energy and resources
and ability of its people.
The success Of the ordnance DEPART
ment was due TO its able chief. General
]. Gorgas, and in large measure 10 the
intelligence and devotion of its officers,
selected by the sitting process OF special
examinations.
must add this. that never was an
order received from General Lees army
for ammunition that 1t was not immedi-
ately supplied. even TO the last order 20
send train-load of ammunition TO Pc
tersburg, after the order was received
for the evacuation of Richmond.
As continuous work was necessary to
keep a supply OF ammunition at times
serious difficulties threatened the arsenal,
not only from scarcity OF supplies OF ma
terial. but also from depreciation Of our
currency.
. Food supplies were very scarce In Rich
mond. and became enormously high in
Confederate currency. and during the
very severe last winter OF the war all
the female operatives who filled cart
ridges with powder. left the arsenal
and struck for higher wages.
These were trained operatives.
and the demand for ammunition