"I have learned from a descendant that one of those detached from Morgan’s Regiment, William Harrison Bettis, was a cannon “swabber,” and that he lost his hearing while performing that duty."

The "Cannon Swabber" would have been the #1 position on the gun and the man who swabber the barrel after each shot was fired to kill any sparks that may remain in the barrel that would set off the next round prematurely. He would also be the guy to ram that next round home with the rammer. So it was a matter that he did his job well to keep from killing himself. Also his working next to the muzzle of the gun would mean that he would recieve most of the muzzle blast when the cannon was fired.

The #1 position along with his assistant loader the #2 man's position were the most dangerous position in servicing the Artillery piece. Not only were they endanger of serious injury (Even in re-enacting) should the gun go off prematurely, but also because they would have been the most exposed to Infantry, or counter battery artillery fire, trying to disable the Cannon Crew being in front of the cannon as they were.