Federal Fort no. 9, Atlanta.
While
Sherman rested his soldiers before their march to the sea, this view was taken of
Federal Fort No. 9, looking northwest toward Forts Nos. 8 and 7 at
Atlanta.
Bags of charges for the 12-pounders in the embrasures are ranged along the parapet in exposed positions that they never would have occupied if there had remained any danger of an assault.
The bags are marked “12 Pdr. Model.
1857.” These were for the brass Napoleons, the most popular guns for field-artillery during the war. In the lower photograph of Confederate works near
Petersburg appear boxes in which the cartridges for rifles had been served out. Evidently, they have been hastily ripped open and cast aside.
On the further box, lying upside down, are the words “ball cartridges.”
Beside lie a few shells for field-guns, although the guns themselves have been withdrawn.
The photograph was taken after these works passed into the hands of the
Federals, and the silent witnesses of a feverish moment under fire tell their own story.
The order at drill was, “tear cartridge.”
The ends of them were usually bitten open, especially in action.
At one end of the cartridge came the bullet, then the powder, and the other end was torn open in order to free the powder when it was rammed home.
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Ammunition in Federal Fort no 9, Atlanta |
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After the firing: Federal Fort no. 9, Atlanta. |
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