Artillery

Artillery pieces varied in size from the big siege guns to very light cannon that were wheeled around by infantry regiments. They were loaded with charges rammed from the front, making their rate of fire very low. Big guns would fire about ten rounds every hour.

Large guns were usually placed before or at the start of a battle, and then would not be moved until it was over. These would be at the back of an army, on ground that gave best opportunity to fire at the enemy's positions.

These bigger guns tended not to be placed too far above the battlefield, since depressing the barrels caused problems. The ball could roll out, or when fired would not travel as far as expected.

A small gun supporting an infantry regiment in battle. Lighter pieces were positioned between regiments or brigades, and could be loaded with shrapnel. Shrapnel could consist of all kinds of junk metal that could be gathered, and was effective against enemy troops at close range.