The American Civil War has been called the last of the ancient wars and the first of the modern wars. It was a conflict which introduced the first metallic rifle and pistol cartridges, the first repeating rifles and carbines, the first ironclad ships, and many other inventions which herald a change in warfare. More innovations and experimentation took place during the Civil War than during all other previous wars combined.
"Prior to 1860, the United States Ordnance Department believed that smoothbore cannons had won the previous wars — and nothing further was needed."
The Rifling Revolution
Meanwhile, in Great Britain, inventors were encouraged by their government to implement the rifling system in both small arms and artillery. Rifling — a system of lands and grooves in a barrel — caused a projectile to turn as it exited the muzzle, dramatically improving trajectory and accuracy. The pre-war years saw many patents granted to British inventors, and these weapons would render important service to both armies.
The Opening Shot
The reluctance of the United States Government to entertain improvements in artillery ended on April 12, 1861, at 4:30 A.M., when Confederate Army Lieutenant Henry S. Farley pulled the lanyard on his mortar at Fort Johnson, South Carolina. The shell arched high over Charleston harbor and exploded above Fort Sumter — beginning the first sustained artillery duel of the Civil War.
Guns, Howitzers & Mortars
Guns and howitzers are the weapons most people think of when Civil War artillery is discussed. These weapons were usually formed in batteries — a group of six weapons. A gun was a long-barreled, heavy weapon which fired solid shot at long range at low elevation. A howitzer had a shorter barrel and could throw shots or shells at shorter range but higher elevation with smaller powder charges.
The most popular and dependable gun was the Model 1857 Napoleon — named after French Emperor Louis Napoleon who supported the design. This 12-pounder smoothbore was effective, reliable, and easily maneuvered, with a range of 1,600 yards at five degrees elevation.