[ Weapons of Antietam ]Model 1841 24-pounder HowitzerArtillery 24-lb Howitzer (Austrian-made, GNMP) |
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Common name: 24-pdr. Howitzer Description: The 24-pounder was a bronze smoothbore, and was part of the 1841 US artillery series. By 1862 it was uncommon in Federal service, because of its short range and heavy weight, but still in Confederate use - valued for its accuracy and 'hitting power'. Employment at Sharpsburg: There were 4 24-pounder howitzers in Confederate batteries at Sharpsburg. Find units equipped with these. Ammunition Used: spherical case, common shell, cannister Manufacturer: various Arsenals Where made: various Model: 1841 Year(s) made: 1841- Maximum Range: 1322 yards Barrel/Tube Length: 65 inches Bore: 5.82 inches Weight: 2446 pounds Other notes: Weight figure is for standard gun carriage (1,128 lb) + tube (1,318 lb). Max range is for 2.5 lb black powder charge behind an 18.4 lb. shell at 5 degrees elevation. Photograph adapted from one taken by Peter Schwartz at Gettysburg NMP, and part of an exhibit online. More on the Web: See more about this and other Civil War artillery at the comprehensive Civil War Artillery Page, by Chuck Ten Brink or the very nice Basic Facts page from Jack W. Melton, Jr. The NPS has a fine general introduction to Civil War artillery in a 3-page presentation. Source Information: Johnson, Curt & Anderson, Richard C., Artillery Hell: Employment of Artillery at Antietam, College Station, TX: Texas A&M University Press, 1995. « to Weapons Index |
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