Frontline Report: Artillery in Black Powder 2

This week, we’re visiting Black Powder’s arsenal to take a look at cannons, howitzers and mortars of all shapes and sizes. We’re checking in with the undisputed king of the battlefield – artillery!

I thus allowed them to advance unmolested until the head of the column might have been about fifty or sixty yards from us, and then gave the word, “Fire!” The effect was terrible. Nearly the whole leading rank fell at once; and the round shot, penetrating the column carried confusion throughout its extent … the discharge of every gun was followed by a fall of men and horses like that of grass before the mower’s scythe.. – Captain Cavalie Mercer, Royal Horse Artillery

The use of cannon in the field began with the use of arrow-firing Pot-de-Fer and Ribaulds during the Hundred Years War. Across the intervening centuries of the medieval and early modern period, the cannon evolved from an unwieldy piece of repurposed siege equipment to a technology that would revolutionise the way battles were fought.

Polish horse artillery relocating under enemy fire.

Gustavus Adolphus, the renowned Swedish general revolutionised the use of field artillery, standardising on lighter, more manoeuvrable field guns that could be transported by a small team of horses. Grouping these light guns into batteries instead of tethering them to lumbering pike formations gave Adolphus greater tactical flexibility which contributed to his many victories.

By the beginning of the period covered by Black Powder in 1700, field artillery had evolved along the lines set down by Adolphus. Cannon of various calibres accompanied every army, organised into multi-gun batteries. Mortars and howitzers became more common, both able to lob shots over intervening terrain and engage the enemy at great distances.

Using Artillery in Black Powder 2

As one of the three main branches of your army, artillery is an invaluable tool in any scenario. While it is definitely the least manoeuvrable, well-sited guns can effortlessly command the battlefield.

Movement

Each cannon in your army will be accompanied by a limber which gives it a base move of 12″ for foot artillery and 18″ for horse artillery. Without the limber and horses, the crew will have to manhandle the gun which reduces the movement to one move at 6″ for regular sized cannon, and 12″ for smaller battalion-sized guns.

Making the crew manhandle the gun can be useful for small adjustments or to quickly reposition as the tactical situation requires, but limbering up is best for travelling long distances.

Federal field artillery in action during the American Civil War.

When siting your guns, look for elevated positions like hills or ridgelines, with good sightlines over chokepoints or massed groups of enemy units. The increased elevation will allow you to shoot over the top of friendly forces, giving your infantry the freedom to move without blocking your line of fire.

Shooting

Artillery works best when employed in concert with the other branches of your army – the cavalry and infantry. Engaging the enemy infantry with cannon fire before your own attack begins can soften up tough targets and disrupt the enemy battle line.

Russian artillery at the battle of Borodino.

Use your cavalry to menace enemy infantry units and force them into squares while under your guns, and you’ll be able to flay the motionless square with shot and shell until it routs.

Make sure you keep some infantry or cavalry close by, your batteries are extremely vulnerable to musket-fire and close assault. In a pinch, a blast of canister or grapeshot might see the enemy off, but you wouldn’t want to rely on it.