Customer Reviews

The Confederate Field Manual

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This book is an important reference tool in understanding CSA ordnance, particularly artillery, and how it differed from Union service. The manual was completed in 1862 after the basic production and standard equipment of the Confederacy had been established. While sections of the previous Federal manuals were incorporated, this work contained new information specific to contemporary CSA service.

There is a large amount of practical period technical and scientific data contained in this manual, it is not a description of field maneuver and drill instruction. Practical information ranges from draught and pack weights, to rifled projectile drift, smoothbore/rifle musket penetration, accuracy comparisons, marching rates and "air resistance" (drag on cannon projectiles.) At the end is a photographic supplement added by modern editors.

Where this work is weakest is in rifled artillery data. Range tables are provided for the 10 pdr Parrott rifle, but not other rifled pieces--although it does state that the various 3" rifles have similar characteristics. The smoothbore range tables are fully covered. Carriage and ammunition chest details are given for smoothbores as well, but not rifled ammunition. However, there is a table of shell service and burst charges for rifled ammunition.

The main text consists of chapters titled: I. Ordnance II. Projectiles III. Artillery Carriages IV. Artillery Implements & Equipments V. Artillery Harness VI. Small Arms, Swords, Sabres VII. Ammunition VIII. Equipment of Batteries for Field Service IX. Mechanical Maneuvers and Artillery Practice. X. Miscellaneous Information Appendix. Photographic Supplement.

Recommended for civil war history buffs looking for hard data on Confederate ordnance and practical data for period movement, weights, and firing accuracy vs. range.