n the skids.

When down off the skids and on the bottom, the drag-rope is hooked
around the axle, and the howitzer run up on the beach.

The Captain of the howitzer superintends and assists whenever it may
be necessary.

The sponges and rammers are now to be attached in their places on the
trail.

The transporting-boxes will also be filled.

EMBARKATION OF THE HOWITZER.

36. When the howitzer is to be embarked, the transporting-boxes should
be taken off and put in the boat separately.

The men unsling the ammunition-pouches, and pass them into the boat,
which is to be brought to a convenient distance from the beach, and
the skids laid and secured.

The field-carriage is then pointed with the trail towards the boat,
and drawn down to the skids, with a wheel resting on each.

Nos. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 divide at the wheels, and take hold of the
spokes, so as to assist the carriage up. No. 14 ships the
trail-handspike and tends it with No. 15. The rest of the men get into
the boat and take hold of the drag-rope. At the word "HEAVE!" the men
at the wheels bear the carriage up on the skids, those in the boat
haul on the drag-rope, and the two at the trail bear it up, so that
the Quarter Gunner, who stands at the bow, can get hold of the
trail-handspike and guide the carriage fairly.

When the howitzer is in the boat, the skids are unhooked and put in
the boat by Nos. 3, 4, 5, and 6.

The howitzer may now be shifted to the boat-carriage, by reversing the
process already described in orders Nos. 1, 2, and 3, for shifting to
the field-carriage.

[Illustration: Fig. 3. CREW AT THEIR STATIONS FOR ACTION; Fig. 1. CREW
AT THE DRAG ROPE.; Fig. 2. D. Van Nostrand Publisher. Julius Bien,
pr.]

37. EXERCISE WITH HOWITZER ON FIELD-CARRIAGE.

GUN'S CREW.

STATIONS. | DUTY.
|
Quarter Gunner |Charge of ammunition and spare
| equipments.
|
No. 1. Captain, rear of breech, to |Captain of piece -- points and fires
the right (or left, depending | the howitzer, superintends orders,
on the position of lock and | and gives orders in absence of an
sight). | officer.
|
2. Rear to breech, to the left. |Closes the vent, put in primer.