Thursday, October 25, 2012

A View of the Past: Horse Drawn Artillery

A reenactment was held on October 21 & 22, 2012 at the Cedar Creek Battlefield near Middletown, Virginia, commemorating the battle's 148th Anniversary.  One special treat, which appears to be an annual occurrence, is the presence of a ten pound Parrott Rifle drawn by a matching team of six bay horses.




As you can see several of the cannoneers ride on the limber, others on the team pulling the cannon.  The cannon itself is attached to the back of the limber.   The cannon is pulled on the field of battle and unlimbered.




As several of the cannoneers prepare the gun for firing, others take the team and the limber to a location behind the gun.



The gun ready to fire.


 The cannon had to be extricated quickly so it was dragged away by attaching the prolonge rope to the limber.



The gun was set up at the new position and commenced firing.