WILDBULL and I spent the day with a bunch of other like-minded individuals in learning how to handle load and fire field artillery pieces. We spent most of the day working with and learning the duties of the various positions in a cannon crew of a 12-pound Napoleon. After a long time drilling and dry-running, we finally got to haul them outside and fire them off. We didn't get to use projectiles, but we did fire off a total of 6 rounds. 3 of those rounds I was in position #2, or the wormer. The last 3 rounds I was in position #4, the jerker...meaning I got the actually fire the piece. The last live round was actually 2 pounds of real black powder. That 12-pounder weighed in at 2800 pounds in its carriage, sitting on a slight downhill grade....moved it back about 8 inches!! Had a really good time and now I am a trained cannoneer, complete with a card and certificate. Unfortunately, WILDBULL is only 15, so he could only be the powder monkey today. But he learned all the positions and will be able to work them all at the next years school.
Also was invited to join our FCF cannon crew once I get into FCF. They have both a crew that reenacts both Rev War and War of 1812. Guess Jackie has to make some more duds!! Plus WB can do the positions now with them.
Bull
If you can make it up in Nov we will teach you to fire a naval canon