Note Number 16, The Billinghurst and Requa Rifle Battery, page 2

TitleNote Number 16, The Billinghurst and Requa Rifle Battery, page 2
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CollectionsThomas Benton Brooks Papers

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TranscriptionWhen served by three men "the battery is readily fired seven volleys or one hundred and seventy five shots per minute".  Nine degrees elevation gave a range of 1200 yards at which distance, the barrels being diverged the shot "scattered into an effective line".  1300 yards "is probably its effective range" although "2000 yards is claimed for it."  The axis of the barrels is 30 inches above the plane on which the piece stands.  During the siege four emplacements were constructed for the "Requa Rifle Batteries" in the First Parallel, five in the second, two in the Third, five in the Fourth, two in the Fifth, and one in advance of it, in all nineteen positions, built successively as the approaches advanced:  all these positions were occupied for a longer or a shorter time by the battery.  They were located on the flanks or in the salient angles of the works, about one third were in embrasure.  The platforms used were of boards, eight feet square well nailed to five sills of same material:  they were moved forward with the pieces.  These batteries constituted up to the 23rd of August.  The only artillery in advance of the second Parallel:  at that date three Coehorn Mortars were moved forward into the Fourth Parallel.  On several occasions these batteries were used against the enemy sharp shooters, and working parties apparently with good affect.  On the evening of August 25th

TopicsSouth Carolina--History
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
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