Volume 1, Issue 4: June 1999
The Newsletter of
Battery B, 4th U.S. Light Artillery, Inc.
Publisher: Cpt. Eric Peterson.
Editor: Sgt. Steve Adams.
The Redleg
Volume 1, Issue 4: June 1999
The Newsletter of
Battery B, 4th U.S. Light Artillery, Inc.
Publisher: Cpt. Eric Peterson.
Editor: Sgt. Steve Adams.
Redleg Office:
In This Issue...
Brigadier General Henry Jackson Hunt - Chief of Artillery, Army of the Potomac.
Jean Baptiste Vacquette de Gribeauval: The Father of Modern Artillery?
Henry Jackson Hunt
Henry Jackson Hunt was born on the 14th September 1819, on a frontier military post near Detroit, Michigan. His father, Samuel Hunt, was serving as a 2nd lieutenant of infantry and was a career officer, as was his father before him. The eldest of four children, Henry quickly fell in love with military life and entered the Military Academy at West Point in 1835, at age sixteen. He counted among his friends at the academy John Sedgwick, Irvin McDowell, Edward Johnson, and P.G.T. Beauregard. His best and most enduring friendships were with William H. French and William F. Barry. He was commissioned into the artillery in 1839, after graduating 19th in his class of 31. He served his entire career with the artillery, serving with distinction in Mexico and in the Civil War. Hunt would bring the promise of artillery on the battlefield to fruition, and prove himself to be the finest artillerist of the war. As his father and grandfather before him, Hunt was a career officer. He retired in 1883. Henry Jackson Hunt died in Washington DC, on 11th February, 1889.
In war, let your objective be victory, not
lengthy campaigns.
Sun Tzu
The Father of the Modern Artillery
The artillery forces of the European armies dating from the middle ages had been an ad-hoc affair; indeed no such animal as the professional military artillerist existed. The princes and potentates of old hired civilians to man their artillery, because no self respecting soldier of that age would fly in the face of chivalry and bombard his enemy from a distance. As can be imagined, this led to a less than elite corps of artillerists. The cannons themselves were little more than roughly cast bronze tubes, often made by a village bell maker.
It was the French that would revolutionize the cannon and the art of the artillerist. The French understood that standardization of calibers would enhance the artillery forces. Jean-Florent de Vallière (1667-1759) succeeded in reducing the number of calibers employed by the French, but the irregular casting methods employed in making the weapons very nearly negated this move.
A Swiss engineer named Jean Maritz (1680-1743) entered French service in 1734. He saw the possibility that a solid piece of bronze carefully bored would lead to unmatched uniformity. He began the quest to design a machine up to the task. It would be his son, however, who would finally succeed in developing the machine that could bore to the requirements needed. By 1775 Jean Maritz the younger would be instituting his methods in every gun-foundry in France. The uniform guns were safer, lighter, and more accurate, due to the more consistent fit between tube and shot. The secret of this new gun making method soon leaked out, and by 1774 Great Britain was making guns in the same manner.
Yet again the French would take the lead, in the guise of Jean Baptiste Vacquette de Gribeauval. Under his leadership, all facets of the artillerist’s craft would be affected. Ammunition, gunsights, ammunition wagons, limbers, and horse harnesses would all undergo revolutionary changes. Gribeauval succeeded in changing the face of the artillery both in France, and in the rest of the world. Between the years of 1763-1767, he was tireless in his efforts to redesign equipment, and to change the drill and tactics of his new artillery. Many in revolutionary France opposed his efforts, and it would not be until 1788, and the end of the revolution, that his new mobile field artillery would be ready to take the field, just in time for an ambitious artillery general named Napoleon Bonaparte to use in his conquest of Europe.
Gribeauval left no facet of artillery alone. Not only did he redesign guns and equipment, but the artillerists themselves underwent a transformation. Gribeauval’s artillerists were trained and drilled in all aspects of gunnery: how to unlimber, position, aim, and fire. His crews were trained in precise movements, and were trained to work as team and as a battery. The officers were trained at artillery schools in tactics and in all of the theoretical aspects of gunnery. Artillery officers were also schooled in the science of supporting the infantry and cavalry of their Divisions. As a result of the pioneering work of Jean Baptiste Vacuette de Gribeauval, the French artillery became the elite arm of the Grande Armée, and model for every artillerist in Europe.
The cannon had arrived on the field of battle as a potent force to be reckoned with, and the face of battle had changed forever. The M1857 Light Field Gun, that saw such stellar service with both Federal and Confederate forces during the War of the Rebellion, is a direct result of the great artillerist’s genius for innovation.
Gribeauval’s new artillery changed the face of the European armies, and the art of making war. War was no longer in the hands of a few select knights, leading a ragged group of militia into chivalrous hand to hand combat. The cold mathematical calculations of the gunner began to hold sway. The artillery was the great leveler in European armies, their ranks were now open to any that had the mathematical skills to get the job done.
Jean Baptiste de Gribeauval’s work with the French army had let the technological genie out of the bottle. The race for bigger and better weapons began in earnest. The artillery would, until the age of airpower, dominate land warfare. Today we are all very familiar with the technological arms race. For the military man of the late twentieth century, the quest for better weapons is standard operating procedure. Until Gribeauval this had not been the case. He deserves the mantle as one of the pioneers of the technological arms race, and as the father of the modern artillery.
Into Battery... With Captain Eric Peterson.
Greeting fellow Redlegs,
In 1864 the first of the draftees were hitting the regular army, thereby relieving the regulars of their recruiting shortages. The draftees were of dubious value, however, not demonstrating the same dedication and fervor of prior volunteers. The difference was the commitment to the cause. Commitment is all important; during the season we must remember that when we commit to be at an event we must be there. Anything short of that is a vast disservice to our comrades. Last minute “cancellations” have on more than one occasion placed a great deal of distress and hardship on the battery faithful. This must not continue if we are to thrive as an organization. Our own membership is now at twenty- five men. I believe this will increase to thirty men by year-end. Welcome to Private John Hartmann, soon to be of Waukesha. He will be assigned as a spare man.
The artillery safety school is sponsored by the 4th military district of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. Seven members of the battery are already members of this fraternity. This organization is dedicated to keeping the memory of the Union Veteran green through commemorative events and preservation. They are a driving force behind a movement striving for authenticity and professionalism in reenacting. Full membership is granted to applicants who can demonstrate ancestry to a Union Veteran. Those unable to demonstrate ancestry may apply for an associate membership. The annual dues are $15, with an additional $9 initiation fee during the first year. Thereafter the dues are $15 annually. For this, you will receive a subscription to “The Banner,” which is the national newsletter, and to “The Thin Blue Line,” which is the department newsletter.
Final plans for St. Louis will have arrived at your mailbox by now if you registered. Preliminary plans are as follows: Ernst Von Frankenburg will tow his Napoleon to the school. Scott Gutzke will be his assistant driver. The main body will leave from Ernst’s house at 3:00 pm on June 11th. The main body will arrive at the rally point at exit 1 near Beloit by 5pm. We will continue onto St. Louis, arriving in convoy at about 9:30pm. This school will be an excellent experience.
We must also begin planning for Escanaba. All personnel intending to participate in that event (two cannons) are asked to notify me of your intentions. Currently, we have 20 primers (500 on back order). We have four cases of powder and four hundred dollars in the treasury. We need to put better tires on our Sussex cannon trailer. It currently has car tires, and they should be trailer tires to handle the extra weight. They will cost at least $300. I have requested, and LTC Klas has graciously consented to have the 2nd Wisconsin Association loan us $500 until the Escanaba Event. That may keep us on track. We have had some extraordinary maintenance costs in the past months, but the repairs should keep us rolling for several years. We also need to think about how we will finance the purchase or building of a new limber for the Sussex gun. I’m looking for a volunteer to head the committee to oversee that project.
We have turned a very important corner in the battery’s history this year. The camp of instruction was extremely successful; over 14 members attended so we had two full crews to drill. This could not have been done without the cooperation of all present. The camaraderie on Saturday evening was especially enjoyable. Special thanks to Rich Grzyb for towing the cannon to the site, and to my trusty sergeants Scott and Steve. We had plenty of time to train thoroughly. I don’t think anyone was bored, and yet there was time to relax as well. Overall this was a well organized weekend, and I’m sure it’s a sign of more to come. Those that attended expressed an interest in making this an annual event.
Cedat Fortuna Peritis.
Skill is better than luck.
Captain Eric Peterson
Battery B, 4th U.S. Light Artillery
June 19, 1862: Pres. Lincoln signs into law a measure prohibiting slavery in the territories of the United States.
The Redleg Editorial:
As promised, the latest issue of the Redleg is at your door on time. I hope that you find the essay on Jean Baptiste Vacquette de Gribeauval interesting. I thought that it might give you more insight into the artillery. The research I have done on this man made interesting reading. We have artillery school coming up. I hope that all of you can make it; this course will only enhance our battery’s reputation in reenacting circles. Many batteries don’t bother to attend safety school. It’s a testimony to our membership’s commitment that so many of us are willing to travel to St. Louis. Please consider joining the Sons of Union Veterans, if you are not already a member. They are hosting this school, and membership would increase our credibility as a battery and as reenactors. I hope that some of you can submit photographs of the battery in action this season; so have those cameras ready, and enjoy your season with Battery B.
Sgt. Steve Adams, Editor.
Parade West Bend, May 31st:
For those who plan to attend the parade, remember it’s just that, a parade. Uniforms should be clean, boots blackened, and brass polished! Lets make an effort be be the best outfit on parade. See you all there.
Upcoming Events:
June 11-13: Artillery Safety School, St. Louis.
July 9-11: Fox Lake.
The next issue of The Redleg will be published in August 1999.