An UnpiiblisJicd Manuscript of Frank For est a'' s. 



373 



told, however, that in its modified 

 state it is far neater and more man- 

 ageable. I object, however, to the 

 principle /// toto of breech -loading and 

 revolving firearms, as inapplicable to 

 the intelligence and above the capacity 

 of ordinary mercenary soldiers, how 

 well soever they may be adapted to 

 that portion of our own population, 

 who spring from all ranks of society 

 to sudden arms at the approach of 

 national danger or dishonor. 



I believe, moreover, that increased 

 range and increased accuracy, not in- 

 creased celerity of fire, is the sim' qna 

 non to be achieved for military science, 

 as before men armed with carabine a 

 tigc by which individuals can be picked 

 off at 1,500 paces, and flying artillery 

 silenced before it comes into point 

 blank range, regiments — even regi- 

 ments, possibly armed with Colt's 

 revolvers or Sharp's breech-loading 

 muskets, would be mowed to the 

 ground in their ranks, like grass, before 

 they could discharge a shot. 



Therefore, I believe that increased 

 range and accuracy are the points on 

 which the next great improvement in 

 gunnery and gunmaking are to be 

 made ; and that while all the Eviropean 

 governments and armies are on the 

 alert on this subject, it were well that 

 the United vStates should not be idle, or 

 confident of her power ; for notwith- 

 standing the unequalled excellence of 

 her Western citizens with the rifle, it is 

 undoubted that the United States 

 military rifle is inferior to that of any 

 European army, even the English, 

 which appears by general consent to 

 be in the rear for the moment, although 

 the well-known skill of her workmen 

 and the general interest which the sub- 

 ject is now generally exciting, render 



it little probable that she will long 

 remain so. 



[For wadding duck guns, use pellets 

 of tow sewed up into wads in slightly 

 greased silk. It cleans the gun and 

 obviates the danger of a remnant of the 

 ignited tow being left in the barrel and 

 exploding the charge and possibly the 

 horn on reloading.] 



Much as may be said on loading the 

 gun, I shall attempt to explain it by 

 one simple example: for instance, to 

 load a single gun of six, or a double 

 gun of seven, eight or nine pounds' 

 weight, take a steel charger which holds 

 precisely an ounce and a half of shot; 

 fill the brim full of powder, from which 

 first prime, and then put the remainder 

 into the barrel; to this add the same 

 measure bumper full of shot, and then 

 regulate the tops of your flasks and 

 belts accordingly. 



[This I consider the true proportion 

 of loading for all guns. J 



A gtm of ten pounds' weight with 

 eight to ten gauge will carry two ounces 

 of shot easily; and one of sixteen or 

 seventeen pounds and five gauge will 

 carry four ounces. 



Overloading is a great fault. It 

 strains the gun, damages the shooter's 

 shoulder and generally spoils the shot. 

 An overcharge is apt to arise, and 

 exactly the propelling power wasted in 

 the recoil is detracted from the velocity 

 communicated to the charge. 



All our trouble with guns would be 

 ill-bestowed, if we neglected a due at- 

 tention to the care and choice of the 

 powder we use. 



Gunpowder, when good, is made of 

 ingredients perfectl)^ pure, mixed, and 

 judiciously proportioned. 



The principal ingredient, saltpetre, 

 should be entirelv divested of marine 



