Article 12.
EXERCISE OF MORTARS.
The detachments are told off and numbered as detailed in Article 1. When they are to take post the commander gives the word, “Take post at the mortars, to the right face.” No. 1, after facing, takes an oblique pace to the rear on the left of No. 3. At the word “Quick march,” the ranks open out and march on each side of the mortars, as directed for guns. Nos. 2 and 3 halt in line with the muzzle; 4 and 5 with the trunnions; 6 and 7 with the rear of the bed; the whole outside of the platform, and in echellon, except No. 1, who takes post in rear of the platform.
Disposition, and Duties of Detachments, for 13 and 10-inch Mortars, with Seven men.
| No. 1 commands, hands the spunge to 2, points, and primes. | |
| 3 runs up, puts in the cartridge, assists to put in the shell, and traverses. | 2 runs up, spunges, wipes the bottom of the shell, uncaps the fuze, assists to put the shell in, and traverses. |
| 5 runs up, supplies 3 with cartridge, and traverses. | 4 runs up, clears the vent, serves it, pricks the cartridge, and traverses. |
| 7 double-mans 3’s handspike, prepares and brings up shells, assists to put them in, cuts and fixes fuzes, supplies 1 with tubes, and fires. | 6 double-mans 2’s handspike, prepares and brings up shells, assists to put them in, supplies 5 with cartridges, cuts and fixes fuzes. |
| At 10-inch mortars, Nos. 2 and 3 are sufficient to put in the shell. | |
Disposition, and Duties of Detachments, for 8, 5½, and 4⅖-inch Mortars, with Five men.
| No. 1 commands, hands the spunge to 2, points, and primes. | |
| 3 runs up, puts in the cartridge, puts in shell, and traverses. | 2 runs up, spunges, wipes the bottom of the shell, uncaps the fuze, and traverses. |
| 5 prepares and brings up shells, cuts and fixes fuzes, supplies 1 with tubes, and fires. | 4 clears the vent, serves it, pricks the cartridge, supplies 3 with cartridges, cuts and fixes fuzes. |
The shells ought always to be deposited behind traverses raised for the purpose, or in other sheltered places, and one or two men, according to circumstances, should be appointed to scrape and clean the inside of them, and prepare them for the powder and fuzes. There must also be men to weigh or measure out the charges of powder, according to the directions of No. 1.
The following stores are required for the service of mortars:—