WEAPONS USED IN THE BATTLE OF MILL SPRINGS
Compiled by Geoffrey R. Walden

Part 4. Artillery Weapons and Ammunition at Mill Springs

The artillery pieces used in the battle of Mill Springs were of three general types: (1) bronze smoothbore cannon, (2) bronze rifled guns, and (3) iron rifled guns. The smoothbore guns were of types developed before the War Between the States, while the rifles were types developed in 1860-61.  (See below for complete citations to the sources listed here.)

Model 1841 6-pounder Field Gun (bronze smoothbore)

This model was practically obsolete by 1862, but many were pressed into service by the Confederates. Both Rutledge’s and McClung’s Tennessee Batteries had 6-pounder guns, probably smoothbore M1841s. The "6-pounder" name refers to the weight of a solid shot (round ball) fired from this type of gun. They could also fire an explosive shell with a time fuse, a round known as spherical case (a hollow shell filled with small lead or iron balls and a bursting charge, also with a time fuse), and canister, which was a tin can filled with iron balls that spread out from the muzzle when fired, turning the gun into a large shotgun. The maximum effective range of the M1841 gun was about 1500 yards. Canister was usually fired at 400 yards or less. (Ripley, pp. 18-19, 366)

M1841 6-pounder gun

A round of canister
Left - tin can (shown partially cut away) filled with iron balls, attached to wooden sabot
Right - entire round  -- a cloth bag with the powder charge is attached to the sabot

 Bronze Rifled Guns -- "James" Rifles

Two similar but slightly different types of bronze rifled cannon may have been in use at Mill Springs. The Model 1841 6-pounder was outmoded by 1861, but many were updated in Federal armories by rifling the bores, allowing them to fire elongated percussion shells, and extending their range and accuracy. Both Batteries B and C of the 1st Ohio Light Artillery were apparently armed with bronze rifled guns, probably these updated 6-pounders.

But another type of bronze rifle was also in use in the Federal Army during this period – the so-called "James" rifle. However, period reports that refer to the "James" rifle can be very confusing, since there was indeed a rifled gun designed by Gen. Charles T. James especially for his patent projectiles; these guns were 14-pounders, with 3.8 inch bores and streamlined exteriors (in contrast to the rifled M1841 6-pounders). To confuse the issue even further, many contemporary writers referred to the rifled M1841 6-pounders as "James" rifles (since they had indeed been rifled to adapt them to James’ patent projectiles) (Ripley, pp. 18-19, 169-170).

The key to determining what type(s) of rifled bronze guns were used at Mill Springs would appear to lie in artifacts recovered from the battlefield. Several pieces have been recovered from the main part of the battlefield that appear to be remnants of artillery projectile sabots. Analysis of these pieces revealed characteristics consistent with James patent projectiles fired from a rifled gun having fifteen lands and grooves, matching the bore configuration of the rifled M1841 6-pounders (the true James 14-pounders were rifled with ten, or sometimes seven, lands and grooves) (Walden, pp. 6-7). Lacking evidence to the contrary, it would therefore appear that the bronze rifled guns at Mill Springs were probably rifled M1841 6-pounders, not the distinctive 14-pounder James rifle.

Muzzle of a rifled M1841 6-pounder gun
note 15 lands and grooves in the bore

Model 1841 12-pounder Field Howitzer (bronze smoothbore)

Howitzers were companions to field guns, meant to fire larger caliber projectiles with a reduced powder charge, from a lighter barrel. This meant a shorter effective range than the field gun, but a lighter overall cannon with greater maneuverability and firepower, ideal in the defense. These weapons were especially effective when firing canister or case shot. The M1841 12-pound howitzer complimented the M1841 6-pounder gun, even using the same carriage, but had an effective range of only about 1000 yards. The 9th Ohio Battery was armed at Mill Springs with two 12-pounder howitzers. (Ripley, pp. 45-46, 371; York)

M1841 12-pounder howitzer

 10-pounder Parrott Rifle (iron rifle)

Wetmore’s 9th Ohio Battery was also armed with two rifled iron guns of a type developed by Capt. Robert Parrott. The Parrott rifle was cheap and easy to manufacture, an ideal field rifle to arm the many Federal batteries in need of up-to-date artillery at the beginning of the war. As the war went on, these early rifles were generally replaced by the improved 3-inch Ordnance rifle, but Parrotts played an important role throughout the war. The Confederates copied the design, but apparently none of these were in use during the battle at Mill Springs, although one report says two "Parrot guns" were found abandoned in the Beech Grove camp following the Confederate retreat. The Parrott rifle’s distinctive feature was an iron reinforcing band around the breech. The earlier 10-pounders (such as those in the 9th Ohio Battery) had 2.9-inch bores, rifled with three wide lands and grooves. These can be told at a glance by a slight swell at the muzzle. The Parrotts fired elongated shell and case with percussion and time fuses, and solid bolts, at effective ranges up to two miles. (Ripley, pp. 109-110, 290-291, 370; Collins, p. 99; York)

Parrott rifle, 10-pounder (early model)

For further information on Civil War era artillery, visit Chuck Ten Brink’s Civil War Artillery Page.

Part 5. Artillery Battery Records of Cannon Used at Mill Springs

Battery B, 1st Ohio light Artillery, under the command of Capt. William E. Standart, was armed with six guns, reportedly rifled brass cannons. During the battle itself, the battery had difficulty in finding a suitable firing position (due to the terrain), but they fired some shells over the woods toward the enemy, and they later fired on the Beech Grove position until dark. For the entire action, Standart reported firing both Hotchkiss shells and spherical case rounds, indicating his guns were very likely rifled M1841 6-pounders. (Braden, pp. 79-80; OR I, 7, p. 101)

Battery C, 1st Ohio Light Artillery, under the command of Capt. Dennis Kenny, Jr., was armed with cannons that fired James shells. One section of his battery placed direct fire onto the Confederate right flank from a position near the main Federal line, from which the section "delivered seven effective shots (James shell)." The configuration of artillery projectile sabot pieces found on the battlefield indicates these James shells were most likely fired from rifled M1841 6-pounder guns, not the 14-pounder James rifle. A period newspaper report said Kenny's Battery had "four rifled and two smooth bore six-pounders" and fired "elongated shells charged with shrapnell [sic], which did terrible execution, filling the forest with rebel dead like cord wood."  (Reid, p. 895; OR I, 7, p. 101; Walden, pp. 6-7; Lafayette, IN, Daily Journal, 25 January 1862)

The 9th Ohio Battery, commanded by Capt. Henry S. Wetmore, had two 10-pounder Parrott rifles and two M1841 12-pounder howitzers. Wetmore’s Parrotts were the most effective long-range artillery in the Federal force at Mill Springs, and they were mentioned in several reports. They were particularly effective in placing accurate fire on the Confederate entrenchments at Beech Grove, and in firing on the steamboat Noble Ellis as the Confederates were retreating across the river. (OR I, 7, pp. 80, 97; Braden, p. 80; Reid, p. 849; York)

For the Confederates, Capt. Arthur M. Rutledge’s Tennessee Battery had four M1841 6-pounder guns and two 12-pounder howitzers, all cast at Brannan’s Foundry in Nashville. Two sections of the battery (four guns) participated in the advance to Logan’s Crossroads (apparently only the 6-pounders); only one section (two guns), under the command of Lt. Mark Cockrill, apparently fired during the battle (although one period source says all four guns fired). This was the only Confederate artillery fired during the battle, and although some accounts and reports state that no Confederate artillery was used, the fire of Rutledge’s Battery is documented by eyewitness accounts.  One account says Rutledge had two 12-pounder howitzers and four "rifled guns," and that these were all dumped into the river during the Confederate evacuation of Beech Grove. (Witham, p. 81; Tennesseans in the Civil War, pp. 148-149; Porter; OR I, 7, p. 94; Saunders, pp. 187, 189; Letter from Rutledge's Btty.)

Officers and NCOs of Rutledge's Tennessee Battery, ca. 1861
Capt. Arthur Rutledge (center) is leaning on an M1841 6-pounder gun
Lt. Mark Cockrill stands at the right
Tennessee State Library and Archives

The Tennessee Caswell Artillery, under the command of Capt. Hugh L. W. McClung, was armed with two 6-pounder guns (M1841s) and two 12-pounder guns (most likely M1841 howitzers). Only two of these guns were in the advance to Logan’s Crossroads, and they were apparently held in reserve behind Carroll’s Brigade, and did not see action during the battle.  One or both may have been abandoned on the field or during the retreat.  However, McClung’s Battery, along with Rutledge’s, delivered counter-battery fire when the Federals reached the Beech Grove entrenchments that afternoon. (Witham, p. 83; Tennesseans in the Civil War, p. 139; OR I, 7, pp. 109, 112-113; Saunders, p. 189)

The Tennessee Harding Artillery, under the command of Capts. G. H. Monserratt and Ed Baxter, was armed with a "splendid battery of six brass guns from Memphis," probably M1841 6-pounders.  This battery did not take part in the battle or defense of Beech Grove, being posted at Mill Springs.  (Saunders, p. 186)

Return to Weapons, Part 1

References:

Braden, John, and Terry Wantz (editors)
The History of Newaygo County, Michigan Civil War Veterans. Fremont, MI: Newaygo County Society of History and Genealogy, 1984.

The Horse Soldier, Catalog #13, Cashtown, PA, 1992, pp. 39-40.

Coates, Earl J., and Dean S. Thomas
An Introduction to Civil War Small Arms. Gettysburg, PA: Thomas Publications, 1990.

Collins, Lewis
History of Kentucky. Vol. 1, Covington, KY, 1874, p. 99.

Fuller, Claude E.
The Rifled Musket. New York: Bonanza Books, 1958.

Gluckman, Arcadi
United States Muskets, Rifles and Carbines. Buffalo, NY: Otto Ulbrich Co., 1948, pp. 140-144.

Hardee, William J.
Rifle and Light Infantry Tactics. Philadelphia: Lippincott, Grambo & Co., 1855 (plus several other Federal and Confederate editions, 1861-1863), Vol. 1, Title Third, No. 47 (loading in three times each minute).

Hicks, James E., and Andrew Jandot
U. S. Military Firearms, 1776-1956. Reprint Ed., La Canada, CA, 1962, pp. 79-80; Plates 3-22; 45.

Higginbotham, Samuel P., II
"The Early Ones: US Models 1795 & 1812," North-South Trader’s Civil War, Vol. 21, No. 2 (March-April 1994), pp. 20-25.

Higginbotham, Samuel P., II
"US Model 1816," North-South Trader’s Civil War, Vol. 21, No. 3 (May-June 1994), pp. 24-26.

"Letter from the Tenth Regiment, January 21, 1862," Lafayette, IN, Daily Journal, 29 January 1862.

Letter from a member of Rutledge's Tennessee Battery, Memphis Daily Avalanche, 30 January 1862, page 2, quoting the Knoxville Register of 27 January 1862.

Lewis, Berkeley R.
Small Arms and Ammunition in the United States Service. Washington, DC: The Smithsonian Institution, 1956.

Madaus, H. Michael
The Warner Collector’s Guide to American Longarms. New York: Warner Books, 1981, pp. 54-64, 77-79, 88-90, 93-94, 98-103, 115-119, 161.

McAulay, John D.
Civil War Breech Loading Rifles. Lincoln, RI: Andrew Mowbray Inc., 1987, pp. 73-85.

McKee, W. Reid, and M. E. Mason, Jr.
Civil War Projectiles II. [Mechanicsville, VA:] Moss Publications, 1980.

Moller, George D.
American Military Shoulder Arms, Vol. II. Niwot, CO: University Press of Colorado, 1993, pp. 408-426.

Osman, Stephen E.
"Read the Fine Print," North-South Trader's Civil War, Vol. 19, No. 5 (Sept.-Oct. 1997), pp. 52-56.

Porter, Col. George C.
"The Twentieth Tennessee Confederate Regiment." Tennessee State Library and Archives, Confederate Collection IV-B-4, Article XII.

Reid, Whitelaw
Ohio in the War. Vol. II. Columbus, OH: Eclectic Publishing Co., 1893.

Reilly, Robert M.
American Socket Bayonets and Scabbards. Lincoln, RI: Andrew Mowbray Inc., 1990.

Ripley, Warren
Artillery and Ammunition of the Civil War. 4th Edition, Charleston, SC: The Battery Press, 1984.

Saunders, Col. James Edmonds
Early Settlers of Alabama. Part 1. New Orleans; reprinted by Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., Baltimore, 1982.

Shaw, James Birney
History of the Tenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Lafayette, IN, priv. publ., 1912.

Tarrant, Sgt. E.
The Wild Riders of the First Kentucky Cavalry. Louisville, KY, priv. publ., 1894.

Tennesseans in the Civil War, Part 1. Nashville: Civil War Centennial Commission, 1964.

Todd, Frederick P.
American Military Equipage 1851-1872. Volume II: State Forces. Chatham Square Press (n.p.), 1983.

Trautmann, Frederic (ed.)
"We Were the Ninth" (translation of C. Grebner's "Die Neuner," 1897). Kent, OH: Kent State Univ. Press, 1987.

Union Soldiers and Sailors Monument Assn.
Union Regiments of Kentucky. Louisville: Courier-Journal Job Printing Co., 1897.

Walden, Geoffrey R.
"Report on Analysis of Artifacts Recovered During Survey of the Mill Springs Battlefield, May 1994."  10 January 1995; in the files of the Mill Springs Battlefield Association, Somerset, KY.

Witham, George
Shiloh, Shells and Artillery Units. Memphis, TN: Riverside Press, 1980.

Wittke, Carl F.
The Ninth Ohio Volunteers. Columbus: F.J. Herr, 1926 (also in Ohio Archaeological and Historical Quarterly, Vol. 35 (1926), pp. 402-417).

Wood, William B.
Letter Book, Knoxville, TN, and 16th Alabama Infantry, October 1861 – January 1862. Eleanor S. Brockenbrough Library, Museum of the Confederacy, Richmond, VA.

York, Capt. Harrison B.
Record of the 9th Independent Battery, Ohio Veteran Vol. Artillery.   Cleveland: Fairbanks, Benedict & Co., 1864.

 I wish to express my sincere appreciation to Tim Bowman, Robert Cull, Dave Hunter, Mark Jaeger, and Greg Walden, who provided information used in this article, and particularly to Stephen Osman for information on the weapons of the 2nd Minnesota Infantry and G. W. Simpson’s bowie knife. 

Copyright © 1998, Geoffrey R. Walden; all rights reserved. No part of this article may be reproduced in any form without the permission of the author (permission is granted to link to this page from other web pages).
http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/Quarters/1864/weapons_part_1.htm