THE UNION ARTILLERY

The Union artillery was organized into Heavy Artillery and Field Artillery. The latter was also divided into Light Artillery and Horse Artillery. During the Civil War the tendency was to concentrate close support at infantry or cavalry division level, with several batteries concentrated within an artillery brigade, under the command of a senior officer.

At Brandy Station, both sides had batteries of horse artillery. Confederate horse artillery, due to the South having trouble supplying horse for artillery teams as well as horses to ride, meant that Confederate batteries were standardized at four field pieces each, which was two less than their Union counterparts. By 1863, most Union Horse Artillery Batteries consisted of six 3-in. Ordnance Rifles. These guns were comparatively light, accurate and safe. The most technically proficient and best drilled of the arms in the Union Army was the Artillery. Union Artillery limbers for the Field Artillery, would often be able to have 6 horse teams.

THE 3-IN. ORDNANCE RIFLE

A private citizen, John Griffen, of the Phoenix Iron Co. in Pennsylvania, developed a system of making artillery in the 1850’s that proved highly successful. The 3-in. Rifled weapon had clean lines and was light in weight. It was also an exceptionally safe weapon, and only one 3-in. rifle was recorded as having burst in the Union Army during the entire war. In 1861 having passed government tests, the Ordnance department ordered 200 rifled guns. By the end of the war the Phoenix Iron Co. had supplied the U.S. Army with 1,100 weapons.

Each gun had its own limber, plus a spare limber and Caisson. The Caisson was used to carry two extra limber chests filled with ammunition. Although a gun crew normally walked alongside the gun when it was being moved, they could also ride a caisson and limber. As previously mentioned, Confederate armies had problems in supplying horses for artillery teams. This led to most Confederate limbers only using 4 horses. Union Artillery limbers for the Field Artillery, would often be able to have 6 horse teams.

Scale: 1/30
Material: Pewter alloy and synthetic fibers
Released Date: April 2025