Also known as: propelling charge.
| Function | Propels the projectile |
|---|---|
| Form | Black powder in a cloth cartridge bag |
| Size | Matched to the gun and to the projectile and range |
Driving the projectile
The powder charge was the measured quantity of black powder that drove the projectile from the gun. It was made up in a cloth cartridge bag of a size prescribed for the piece, so that each round used the correct amount.
Charges were fixed to the projectile in the field ammunition and loaded separately in the heavy guns, and a gunner could sometimes use a reduced charge for shorter range or a full charge for maximum effect.
On this site
Sources & further reading
- United States Army, Ordnance Department. The Ordnance Manual for the Use of the Officers of the United States Army. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott, 1862.
- Gibbon, John. The Artillerist's Manual. New York: D. Van Nostrand, 1860.