Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 17.djvu/80

 72 Southern Historical Society Papers.

6. Abell's Light Battery, } = "-PO^nder Napoleon guns.

•^' ( 2 i2-pounder howitzers.

7. Pruden's " " 4 6-pounder guns.

8. Daniers '* " 4 12-pounder Napoleon guns,

9. Guerard's " « j 2 i2.pounder "

^ (2 12-pounder howitzers.

10. Hanleiter's " " j 2 12-pounder "

( 2 6-pounder guns.

1 1. Major HamUlon's batulion of j ' "■V««<^ howi.zers. ■ 4h..«i,,ery, l|%°d"fjir£.

Total, 48 guns.

These light artillery companies were distributed as the necessities of the line demanded. The cannoniers were either actively engaged in working the guns in fixed position, or were with their field pieces prepared to move at any moment to such portions of the line as were seriously threatened.

Only two of these light batteries were held in reserve.

Near the Central railroad depot two i8-pounder garrison guns, one 8-inch siege howitzer and a 42-pounder carronade were mounted.

Whenever the nature of the ground permitted, the fixed batteries on the western line were connected by infantry breastworks supple- mented by ramps for field artillery, which the troops industriously strengthened from day to day as opportunity occurred. The siege and garrison guns employed in arming this line had been withdrawn from the city lines constructed by General Mercer in 1862 and 1863. In anticipation of the siege, General George W. Rains, commanding the Augusta arsenal, gun foundries and powder works, and the ord- nance officer at Charleston, extended valuable aid, so that apart from the ammunition in the chests of the light batteries, lodged in the temporary magazines along the line and in the hands of the infantry^ a liberal supply of ordnance stores was accumulated in reserve. In fact, during the progress of the siege, there was no lack of ammuni- tion ; the troops and batteries being at all times promptly and suffi- ciently served. It may be fairly stated, however, that as a precau- tionary measure its expenditure, both by the artillery and infantry, was made the subject of a special order from headquarters enjoining economy and caution.

The right of the western line, extending from the Savannah river at Williamson's plantation to within about one hundred feet of the Central railroad crossing, garrisoned by the Georgia militia and the