Artillery Through the Ages

Looking at an old-time cannon, most people are sure of just one thing: the shot came out of the front end. For that reason, these pages are written; people are curious about the fascinating weapon that so prodigiously and powerfully lengthened the warrior''s arm. And theirs is a justifiable curiosity, because the gunner and his "art" played a significant role in American history.Contents: The Era of ArtilleryThe Ancient Engines of WarGunpowder Comes to EuropeThe BombardsSixteenth Century CannonThe Seventeenth Century and Gustavus AdolphusThe Eighteenth CenturyUnited States Guns of the Early 1800''sRiflingThe War Between the StatesThe Change Into Modern ArtilleryGunpowderPrimersModern Use of Black PowderThe Characteristics of CannonThe Early Smoothbore CannonSmoothbores of the Later PeriodGarrison and Ship GunsSiege CannonField CannonHowitzersMortarsPetardsProjectilesSolid ShotExplosive ShellsFuzesScatter ProjectilesIncendiaries and Chemical ProjectilesFixed AmmunitionRocketsToolsThe Practice of Gunnery