glenn
oops!
Mon Jun 4 23:06:52 2001


You said circumference. Artillery rounds are identified by inches in diameter and I guess I was reading too fast. (I read your note just above and began wondering how a 12" round would be the size of a croquet ball.) 12" circumference would be about 3.8" diameter.
p. 191 of same referenced book shows "US 3.8" James Hot-Shot." This was a round designed to be heated red hot before firing, for incendiary purposes.
Other 3.8" James rounds are bullet or conical shaped. The "hot-shot" is round (and solid).
p. 31 shows a 6-pdr. round shot. It was very commonly used during early war, and favored by Confederates, and came in both solid and case (hollow) shot. The diameter is 3.58" which would be close to your artifact.
Both of these cannons were the typical field artillery type pulled behind a limber and a team of horses.
Sorry for going off half-cocked.