The Mississippi in the Civil War Message Board

Re: Expenditure of Union artillery/Vicksburg Campa

> Raymond: 620

Battery D, 1st Ill fired 72 of these shots. 620-72 = 548. DeGolyer fired a few rounds into the woods about 10 a.m. to scatter the Texas skirmishers at the bridge. Then Bledsoe engaged DeGolyer in an artillery contest from about 11:00 - 1:00. DeGolyer then moved from the bridge to the left flank, engaged the 1st TN Batt. for a short time, and then pushed across the bridge and began shelling the retreating rebels from 4:00 until about 5:00.

So a maximum rate of fire was probably sustained by DeGolyer from 11:00 - 1:00, from 3:00 - 3:30, and from 4:00 until 5:00. If this rate of fire is 20 rounds per cannon per hour, then that's 240 rounds + 60 rounds + 120 rounds, or 420 rounds.

That means the remaining 12 federal cannons fired maybe 10 shots each - probably also from 3:00 - 3:30 at the 1st TN Batt., which explains why they sustained 15% casualties without firing a shot.

Messages In This Thread

Expenditure of Union artillery/Vicksburg Campaign
Re: Expenditure of Union artillery/Vicksburg Campa
Tony Gunter: Battle of Raymond
Re: Tony Gunter: Battle of Raymond