Over hill, over dale, we will hit the dusty trail,
and those caissons go rolling along.
Up and down, in and out, hear those wagon soldiers shout.
As those caissons go rolling along
Oh its Hi! Hi! He! in the Field Artillery
Call out your numbers loud and strong.
So where e'er we go, you will always know
that those caissons go rolling along -
that those caissons go rolling along
"Field Artillery Half Section"
A standard Field Artillery battery consisted, at full strength, of six guns.
Each gun was attached to a limber pulled by six horses, and was supported by
a caisson, also attached to a limber pulled by six horses. The caisson carried
two ammunition chests (also a spare wheel), and there was one chest on each
limber for a total of about 1,200 rounds for the battery. There were drivers
on the left side horses, each responsible for two horses. When horses were in
short supply, (a battery needed about 125) mules were used, though they tended
to shy in battles, so horses were used for the guns unless unavailable. There
was also a battery wagon, a forge wagon and an ambulance, for a total of 18
vehicles.
A battery had five officers; one captain commanding, one lieutenant in charge
of the caissons, and one lieutenant in charge of each of the three sections.
A section consisted of two guns and their crews, and were referred to as
"left","center" and "right", even though in a battle, the "left" section might
be deployed to the right of the "right" section.
A detachment (or half section) was one gun and its crew. The Chief of the
piece was a sergeant, in charge of the gun; there was a corporal in charge of
the caisson, and another who was the gunner that aimed the piece. The duties
of the cannoneers were:
When in action, the gun would be driven into position, the gun would be
removed from the limber and brought to bear on the target. If need be, the
#1 man would use the 'worm' to remove any material from the bore and swab it
with a damp sponge rammer, then with a dry one. #7 would carry the round to
the #5 man who delivered it to the #2 man standing by the muzzle of the gun.
He would position it in the muzzle of the gun for the #1 man to ram down the
bore. All this time, the #3 man has covered the vent to keep air from any
embers that may be present. When the round is seated, the #3 man would use a
pick to pierce the powder bag. Then the gunner (a corporal) would mount the
sight, and aim the gun. #1 and #2 at the wheels of the gun and #3 at the
trailspike would assist him by moving the gun left or right. After the gunner
is satisfied with his job, he removes the rear sight and steps back from the
gun. The #4 man inserts a primer into the vent, attaches the lanyard and steps
back keeping it taut. At this time, with the cannoneers safely away from the
gun, it is ready to fire. Upon command of the Chief of the piece, #4 pulls the
lanyard firing the cannon. #1, #2 and #3 move it back into battery (correct
position), and the cycle starts again.
Revised 19 Aug '04