Tag Archives: Encouratement

Mortar Shells

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One of the most terrifying pieces of Civil War field artillery was notoriously inaccurate. The eight-inch mortar, for all intents and purposes, was a stubby, sawed-off cannon.  It fired an eight-inch-diameter explosive shell – approximately the size and shape of a bowling ball. Mortars were pulled into position by teams of horses.  Shots were essentially high arcs that resembled those… Read more »