Milton Light Artillery, Company A

by Maj. Bryant L. Griffin
The Milton Light Artillery currently fields two Model 41 12-Pounder Mountain Howitzers on pack carriages at reenactments. Consequently, our drill reflects the actual mountain howitzer drill utilized during the war.
The drill posted here is extracted from the United States Army's "Instruction For Mountain Artillery" and "Manual for Light Artillery," dated 1851 and 1863, respectively. In these manuals the drills necessary to properly operate mountain howitzers are clearly defined, and you'll see some interesting differences between this drill and the widely published field piece drill.
Artillery reenactors fielding mountain howitzers are encouraged to utilize this drill, for it is specifically designed for these pieces by artillery officers of the time, and it brings another level of authenticity to your unit.
Some aspects of the drill have been slightly altered for safety reasons, and are detailed here:

(1) A dry sponge/worm is now issued to #2. Both he and # 5 use this tool each time the piece is fired. NOTE: In the original drills, this was not the case. Both men simple ran ammunition between the chest and the piece.

(2) A misfire drill was established emphasizing safety. More to come on this later.

(3) The Gunner stabilizes primer in place as #3 sets himself to pull the lanyard. See "Ready" command for exact details.

(4) The load by detail drill is rewritten, primarily because the original instructions place the cannoneers in the front for ramming/sponging, thus making the bulk of the numbered commands (such as "Sponge, 2, 3, 4" ect...) obsolete with todays safety requirements.

(5) During pauses in action between the completion of a "Ram" and before the "Ready," #1 places his rammer, upright, on top of the wheel's tire. This is a safety signal to all that the tube is hot.

(6) Hand alignment on the rammer/sponges is always back of the hand facing down. Thumbs are pressed firmly against the side of the hand and not wrapped around the implement.

Live firing brings additional safety concerns not addressed here or in the original drill. Be warned.

The drill to follow is required for all mountain howitzers of the pack carriage class. In the case of mountain howitzers with prairie carriages, please see the prairie carriage drill link below.

NOTE: The Milton also fields a M1841 6-pounder. This drill will be posted at a later date.