Good to see you posting again. I think you took a break for a while for whatever reason. Good to see you back. Or maybe I just overlooked you. If so I apologize. On this subject, remember that while turning/facing slightly left you exposed the side of the body that had the haversack and canteen. By no means a bullet stopper these items could provide added protection to that side of the body. In addition it placed the cartridge and cap box a little out of the way. No need in getting shot where additional explosives and schrapnel were hung. As a cannoneer the number five guy that shuttles ammo from the chest to the gun turns his body when delivering the round as to not expose the haversack carrying the round to enemy infantry fire. Same scenario I'd say. One of my privates offered to polish the copper top on our ammo chest some time back. I told him that the copper was used because it was a non sparking soft metal and not as an ornamental element. To polish it would have added another sight target to our already red embellished uniforms. We've all observed how ornaments (macaroni) on uniforms and rank insignia began to disappear shortly into the war. Like a salute, nothing exposes an officer better than a bunch of shiny brass.

Keith
Third Richmond Howitzers
ANV