This eBook has been formatted to the highest digital standards and adjusted for readability on all devices. Looking at an old-time cannon, most people are sure of just one thing: the shot came out of the front end. For that reason, these pages are written; people are curious about the fascinating weapon that so prodigiously and powerfully lengthened the warrior's arm. And theirs is a justifiable curiosity, because the gunner and his "art" played a significant role in American history.

Contents:

The Era of Artillery

The Ancient Engines of War

Gunpowder Comes to Europe

The Bombards

Sixteenth Century Cannon

The Seventeenth Century and Gustavus Adolphus

The Eighteenth Century

United States Guns of the Early 1800's

Rifling

The War Between the States

The Change Into Modern Artillery

Gunpowder

Primers

Modern Use of Black Powder

The Characteristics of Cannon

The Early Smoothbore Cannon

Smoothbores of the Later Period

Garrison and Ship Guns

Siege Cannon

Field Cannon

Howitzers

Mortars

Petards

Projectiles

Solid Shot

Explosive Shells

Fuzes

Scatter Projectiles

Incendiaries and Chemical Projectiles

Fixed Ammunition

Rockets

Tools

The Practice of Gunnery