New JAW News One of the-most important and rewarding aspects of continued research with an open mind, is the discovery of additional pertinent information. Thus far almost one hundred pages or portions of those pages of the Journal have related to the role of artillery in the Napoleonic Wars, and this still remains a very small scratching of the surface. This is certainly a far cry from the comment in Issue Number 3 page 1 when it was suggested that we wrap up the subject of artillery . While we don't always agree on certain referee rulings, we do agree on the admission of new data to change or modify existing rules. We have an existing rule that restricts Counter-Battery Fire to one 12 pounder gun per battlefield section, and-only for the attacking force, ( within musket range). Much research has gone into this and it is based on much research. However, I now introduce info which may require a re-writing or re-wording of this rule. While the Napoleonic Wars raged in Europe, by 1812 the British were involved in a secondary conflict, known in both the United States and Canada as the War of 1812. The same British troops, using the same weapons and tactics were present and I state this fact only to show a clear transition from one side of the Atlantic to the other. United States Artillery, in many cases using British and French pieces as well as their own, had specific orders concerning Counter-Battery Fire. In a letter dated November 27th, 1812, five months after the war had begun, Adjutant General Alexander Smyth wrote; 1. The artillery will spend some of their first shot on the enemy's artillery." These instructions on battle tactics were addressed to Lieutenant Colonel Winder of the U.S. 14th Infantry. American artillery therefore had specific and definite orders to enter into Counter-Battery Fire with enemy artillery. Documentation: The American War 1812-1814 by Philip R. Katcher, Osprey Men-At-Arms Series, 1974, Page 34. Further documentation for-the case of Counter Battery fire was provided in an interview with Sergeant Joseph Rixon, former Commanding Officer of John Lambts Battery of Continental Artillery, Brigade of the American Revolution. Mr. Rixon, a Fellow of the Company of Military Historians whose main interest is U.S. muzzle loading artillery, stated that Counter Battery fire was definitely employed by United States Artillery, pointing out that at at the Battle of Monmouth in June of 1778, most of the action of the day was counter-battery. At the Battle of Chippewa, July 5th, 1814, Captain Nathan Towson moved his battery to support the advancing Brigade of Colonel Winfield Scott. During the ensuing action; "kept the enemy at bay, and at times caused him to slacken his cannonade." [1] Later in the action it was reported that "Towsen's battery poured in an oblique fire of murderous canister-shot, after silencing the enemy's most effective battery by blowing up an ammunition wagon." [2] During the action describe above, Towson's one howitzer was put out of action by a British 24 pounder FIELD GUN. It is time that artillery rules include the 18 and 24 pounder guns, especially in the light of battles of the War of 1812. Another area of artillery that will need our immediate attention is the MORTAR. Recently Hinchliffe Models Limited released in 25mm a British Napoleonic Coehorn Mortar Party. It consists of four men carrying the mortar, one officer, one gunner with rammer and bucket one gunner carrying a powder barrel and a donkey with shot load. I'm sure that several of the membership, myself included, will be purchasing this release. Our present system of artillery rules does not incorporate mortars. It is time for more research and documentation Gentlemen. PROPOSED RULE: Command Figures and General Officers who come into range of non-threatened riflemen or sharpshooters should be subject to being either killed or wounded. Since the Command Figure does not represent twenty men but only one individual, a separate casualty table/chart should be established. As Generals were more exposed and easily recognized by their uniforms, a player should have the opportunity of inflicting a serious moral blow to his enemy through the loss of a general. For an idea of how many major personalities were casualties during this time period, one is Footnotes 1. Lossing, Benson J., The Pictorial Field Book of the War of 1812. Benchmarck Publishing Corporation, Glendale, New York, 1970. Page 809. 2. Ibid. Page 810 Editor's comments. We fully realize that artillery was used in counter-battery fire. Before our p ' resent rule we had nothing but artillery duels in our battles. That is unrealistic much more than the "overkill" rule we have now.. Counter battery fire was used but not freely a subject we should see in our next issue. Please take a look page 19 of this magazine on the battle tactics issued by General Smyth. They are far from our existing rule .... Back to Empire, Eagles, & Lions Table of Contents Vol. 1 No. 24 Back to EEL List of Issues Back to MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 1978 by Jean Lochet This article appears in MagWeb.com (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other articles from military history and related magazines are available at http://www.magweb.com