Confederate Artilleryman 1861–65

In the heady days of the rush to arms in 1861, comparatively few Southern men volunteered for service in the artillery: most preferred the easily accessible glory of the infantry or cavalry. Yet those that did quickly earned the respect of their fellow soldiers, and a reputation for being able to “pull through deeper mud, ford deeper springs, shoot faster, swear louder … than any other class of men in the service”. Given that field artillery was invariably deployed in front of the troops that it was supporting, the artillerymen were exposed to a high level of enemy fire, and losses were significant. This title guides the reader through the life and experiences of the Confederate cannoneer where he came from; how he trained and lived; how he dressed, ate and was equipped; and how he fought.