Bullet and Shell Civil War Projectiles Forum

Author Topic: count of rounds fired  (Read 3112 times)

speedenforcer

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count of rounds fired
« on: July 20, 2019, 01:19:12 PM »
I know an exact number or possibly a close number is probably impossible but did the individual batteries keep a record for their battle reports the amount of rounds fired in each battle and if so is it possible to get a figure on how many cannon shots were fired during the war.
It's not always "Survival of the fitest" sometimes the idiots get through.

speedenforcer

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Re: count of rounds fired
« Reply #1 on: July 20, 2019, 01:20:19 PM »
just curious if this has been researched.
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Selma Hunter

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Re: count of rounds fired
« Reply #2 on: July 21, 2019, 03:57:11 AM »
Speed,

My research leads me to believe that the USN not only recorded each round fired by projectile type but also the charge used.

FWIW

Gunner Thrasher

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Re: count of rounds fired
« Reply #3 on: August 22, 2019, 02:08:22 AM »
I know that Commander John Brooke sent instructions for the batteries to keep a count of rounds fired and charges used, this would have been for the CS Navy. Not sure about the Army.

speedenforcer

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Re: count of rounds fired
« Reply #4 on: August 22, 2019, 03:42:25 PM »
I guess the navy had more time for book keeping than the army.
It's not always "Survival of the fitest" sometimes the idiots get through.

CarlS

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Re: count of rounds fired
« Reply #5 on: August 25, 2019, 12:45:01 PM »
I guess it really depends on the situation.  In the official records you will often see reports of rounds fired and sometimes even a breakdown of type.  In Petersbirg and Charleston they seemed to keep pretty good details on what was fired where.  I highly recommend for reading the journals for those two battles by Abbot and Manigault respectively.   Lots of detail on what was fired. 
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Carl

mccaul

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Re: count of rounds fired
« Reply #6 on: August 25, 2019, 07:39:08 PM »
There is some information in the ORs but it is spotty and takes quite a bit of work to dig it out. 

pipedreamer65

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Re: count of rounds fired
« Reply #7 on: August 30, 2019, 02:22:43 PM »
Yea, the Navy seemed to have bookkeepers that kept track of every projectile and every ounce of powder.  Army, not so much.