Letter, 1863 December 7, Brooks to Smith, regarding the Requa Battery

TitleLetter, 1863 December 7, Brooks to Smith, regarding the Requa Battery
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CreatorBrooks, T. B. (Thomas Benton), 1836-1900

CollectionsThomas Benton Brooks Papers

Dates

Descriptive InformationLetter to Smith from Brooks responding to an inquiry concerning the "Requa Battery". Brooks writes that five pieces of the Billinghurst and Requa Rifle Battery were used in the siege operations against Fort Wagner as defensive guns of position, and that they constituted the most important part of the artillery depended on for defense in the advanced trenches. Brooks writes more about the guns' performance, and states that his ideas will be contained in a report to General Gillmore.

Transcription[Letter, continued] Their performance was always satisfactory, but I do not consider the test to which the efficiency of the Battery has been subject to here a severe one. For service in the [????] of this Department, the horizontal line of [dispertion?] afforded by the [????] Battery is superior to the [????] given by [????]. This, with the rapidity of fire due its being a [????] loading weapon its small recoil and lightness constitute the peculiarities of this Battery. Only one piece was disabled during the Siege, and it but slightly. For the Defense of earth works I believe it well adapted but no nothing of it as a field gun-Experience will I think prove it well adapted to boat service. The ideas above expressed will be contained in a report to Genl. [General] Gillmore on that portion of the Siege work against the Defenses of Charleston Harbor done under my direction on Morris Island. Very respectfully; Your [????] Servt. [Servant]; T. B. Brooks; Major-ADC; and Asst [Assistant] Engineer; [Mr. David?] Smith; No [Number] 36 Liberty [St.?] N. Y. [New York]; Copy Letter

LocationsFolly Island, Charleston County, South Carolina, United States(32.66046,-79.9312)

TopicsSouth Carolina--History
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
Artillery operations
Fort Sumter National Monument (Agency : U.S.)

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RightsU.S. Government Work Learn More