The hand-book of artillery

A mid‑nineteenth‑century handbook offers a concise, question‑and‑answer guide to the United States artillery service as taught at the Artillery School at Fort Monroe. Compiled by a seasoned officer, it reshapes British material to match American practice, drawing directly from official manuals such as Gibbon’s Artillerist’s Manual and the Ordnance Manual. The work was formally endorsed by a committee of senior officers, who praised its clear organization and suitability for both officers and enlisted men.

The text is divided into three parts, covering everything from the basic definition of artillery and the four main types—guns, howitzers, columbiads and mortars—to detailed instructions on pointing, charge selection, range calculation, recoil, windage and ammunition handling. Practical sections on sea‑coast, siege, and field batteries are supplemented by notes on gunpowder, projectile design, and artillery carriage mechanics. Its straightforward Q&A format makes it a handy reference for anyone learning the fundamentals of gunnery during the Civil War era.