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All field carnages consist of two parts-the body or main portion of the carriage, and the limber or front part, to which the horses are attached. These parts are so connected as to be readily detached and separated from each other.
Gun-carriages, (PLATES 8 and 9.) There are three gun-carriages for field artillery, viz.:-
One for the 6-pounder gun and the 12-pounder howitzer.
One for the 24-pounder howitzer.
One for the 12-pounder gun and the 32-pounder howitzer.
The 12-pounder light gun is for the present mounted on the 24-pounder howitzer carriage, modified slightly for the purpose. A special carriage will probably be adopted for it.
The parts of these carriages are all similar, differing only in their dimensions.
Caissons, (PLATES 12 and 13.) All caissons are of the same external forms and dimensions.
Battery wagons, (PLATES 14 and 15,) are of the same external forms and dimensions. The one which accompanies the battery differs in its equipment from that of the field park, and also in its external arrangements and contents.
Travelling forges, (PLATES 16 and 17.) The remarks as to the forms, dimensions, and equipments of the battery wagons, apply also to the forges for the field batteries and parks.
Limbers, (PLATES 10 and 11.) The same limber is used for all field carriages. The limber chests of the gun-carriage and caisson contain ammunition and equipments for the service of the piece; those of the forge and battery wagon contain tools and stores for shoeing and repairs.
Wheels. There are two numbers of wheels for field carriages, viz.: No. 1, for the 6-pounder gun-carriage, the caisson, the forge, the battery wagon, and for the limbers of all field carriages. No. 2, for the 12-pounder gun-carriage and 24-pounder howitzer, or light 12-pounder gun-carriage. These wheels are of the same form and height, and they fit on the same axletree-arm; they differ only in the dimensions of their parts, and consequently in strength and weight.
Ammunition chests, (PLATE 2.) The same ammunition chest is adapted to the limber and to the caisson. The interior arrangement varies with the calibre and description of the piece and the ammunition to be used. The principal divisionss are designated as the right half and the left half to a person facing the front, or lock-side of the chest. The smaller divisions in each half perpendicular to the sides are designated as the first, second, third, etc., from the principal partition, each way; the divisions parallel to the sides are designated as the front, middle, and rear divisions.
Chest for 6-pounder Gun. Eight partitions, four in each half, perpendicular to the sides of the chest, and sliding in grooves made for the purpose. All the divisions of the right half, except the fifth, are provided with two bolsters each, for spherical case shot: the bolsters are attached to the partitions by screws; the wooden strips which form the grooves, the linings, and the props, for shells and spherical case, are secured with copper nails. One tray, for holding equipments, rests on the partitions in the left half of the chest. Three finger holes are bored in the inside of the ends, to lift it by; and a hole is bored through the middle of the bottom to let the air pass when the tray is lifted out.
Chest for light 12-pounder Gun. Six partitions, three in each half, perpendicular to the sides: four of the divisions are provided with bolsters for shells and spherical case shot; and one division is separated from the rest by partitions of sufficient height to suit that of the canisters. One tray, for equipments, in the left half, as in the 6-pounder chest.
Chest for 12-pounder Gun. Six partitions, three in each half, perpendicular to the sides. Four bolsters for spherical case shot. One division is prepared for canisters, as in the light 12-pounder gun. One tray for equipments, in the left half.
Chest for 12-pounder Howitzer. Six partitions, three in each half, perpendicular to the sides. Twenty-one bolsters for the lower tier of shells and spherical case shot. They are cupped to receive the balls, and have holes bored through the bottom for the fuzes to lie in. They are placed in the bottom of the chest, three in each division, except the division prepared for the canisters. Twenty-eight props, for the upper tier of shells and spherical case, four in each division, except that for the canisters. Six props for canisters in the first division, right half.
Chest for 24-pounder Howitzer. Eight linings, two in each of the front and rear divisions, fastened to the ends of the chest and to the principal partitions. Four long partitions, two in each half, parallel to the sides of the chest. Two short partitions for canisters, in the rear division of the right half. Seven short partitions for shells and spherical case shot; two in each of the front divisions, two in the rear division of the left half, and one in the middle division of the right half: each of these partitions is formed of two pieces which slip into grooves, one over the other. Thirty-three bolsters for shells and spherical case, in the two front divisions-the left rear division, and the right middle division: they are so placed as to support two tiers of shot and shell.
Chest for 32-pounder Howitzer. Six long partitions, three in each half; one parallel to the ends, and two parallel to the sides of the chest. Four short partitions, one in the front and rear divisions of each half, made in two pieces, and fastened as in the 24-pounder howitzer chest. Twenty-one bolsters for shells and Shrapnell shot in the front and rear divisions, left half; the rear division, right half; and on the right of the front division, right half; they are arranged as in the 24-pounder howitzer chest, so as to support two tiers of shot and shells.
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In packing ammunition in the chests, care must be taken to place the rounds in their proper position, and then to secure them from movement by filling all the void spaces closely with packingtow. The tow should be inserted in small portions, and packed down with a straight, smooth stick, prepared for the purpose. When ammunition is not firmly secured, the shaking of the carriage soon injures the powder, and renders the firing uncertain.
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