Queens of the Battle Field
Cannons were muzzleloading mounted weapons that were essential to dominate the battlefield. They were used to fire deastating cannon balls into enemy lines, easily breaking up their formation. Thus is how they earned the nick-name "Queens of the Battle Field", because they commanded how the battle took place.
There were multiple types of cannons, each with their own specialty and angles. The regular cannon that we think of shot at a very low angle and shot a simple cannon ball. Others, such as the Mortar, shot at a much higher angle and could be used to fire above enemy walls or barricades and come crashing down on soldiers.
There were multiple types of cannons, each with their own specialty and angles. The regular cannon that we think of shot at a very low angle and shot a simple cannon ball. Others, such as the Mortar, shot at a much higher angle and could be used to fire above enemy walls or barricades and come crashing down on soldiers.
Low Angle Muzzleloaders
These cannons were used to pack a powerful punch and devastate your enemy. They're called "muzzleloaders" because they were loaded from the front, or the muzzle. Later on, most weapons would be loaded from the breech, or the back.
So why would you want to use a low angle cannon? Wouldn't it be easier to just shoot a cannon ball over enemy barricades and onto their lines?
Yes, it would be easier to simply go over their barricades. But think of the soldiers on your side down there first. It would be much easier to use a low angle cannon to destroy a barricade or wall so your troops could march in. Also, it was easier to predict where the cannon ball would go.
These cannons have a much longer range than the high-angle mortars, but tha also means that it is more difficult to predict where the enemy will be once the cannon ball is fired.
So why would you want to use a low angle cannon? Wouldn't it be easier to just shoot a cannon ball over enemy barricades and onto their lines?
Yes, it would be easier to simply go over their barricades. But think of the soldiers on your side down there first. It would be much easier to use a low angle cannon to destroy a barricade or wall so your troops could march in. Also, it was easier to predict where the cannon ball would go.
These cannons have a much longer range than the high-angle mortars, but tha also means that it is more difficult to predict where the enemy will be once the cannon ball is fired.
High Angle Mortars
The mortars were very efficient during seiges, as they were able to be fired over walls. They also fired fired explosive cannon balls know as grape shots, which sent multiple smaller shots scattering in every direction. Although they had a limmited range of about two hundred yards, the grapeshot was well worth it. At a very close range, the resounding explosion and flying shots were murderous.