Use of Howitzers.
These pieces were originally introduced for the purpose of firing shells at low angles, and have constantly been found most useful both in the field and in siege operations during the wars of the last and present centuries. Superseded by shell guns.Since, however, the introduction of shell guns their utility has greatly decreased, for the shell gun possesses greater accuracy and range than the howitzer, those being in the present day of greater importance than small weight.
Artillery from the East.
The Germans claim the invention of cannon for their countryman, Bartholdus Schwartz, who is said to have discovered it in 1336, but seeing that fire-arms first became prevalent in Europe in those countries which mixed with the Saracens, we are constrained to lean to the opinion that fire-arms were not re-invented in Europe, but introduced from the East.
This part of our subject might be much enlarged, but we have merely attempted to give heads of information, which can be pursued by those who desire to do so. We must now leave it, in order to treat upon that more immediately interesting to officers of infantry, viz., the history of portable fire-arms.
The following extract from an account of the furniture of the ship, called the “Harry Grace de Dieu,” will give a good idea of the state of the ordnance at the time of Henry VIII.:—
| Gonnes of Brasse. | Gonnes of Yron. |
|---|---|
| Cannons, | Port pecys, |
| Di. cannons, | Slyngs, |
| Culveryns, | Di. slyngs, |
| D. culveryns, | Fowlers, |
| Sakers, | Baessys, |
| Cannon perers, | Toppe peces, |
| Fawcons, | Hayle shotte pecys, |
| Hand gonnes complete. | |
Another account of ancient English ordnance in Queen Elizabeth’s time, mentions the following:—
| Bombards, | Demi cannon, | Sacar, |
| Bombardilles, | Cannon petre, | Minion, |
| Cannon royal, | Culverin, | Faulcon, |
| Cannon, | Basilisk, | Falconet, |
| Cannon serpentine, | Demi culverin, | Serpentine, |
| Bastard cannon, | Bastard culverin, | Rabinet. |