How does black powder work? Why does the order of loading and firing a cannon matter? What impact did artillery have on the Civil War? These and other questions will be answered by a team of historians in period uniforms during a webcast on the science and history of Civil War cannon from Bentonville Battlefield March 11. Some of the topics covered by the webcast will include:
- The different types of artillery and projectiles
- The process of teamwork it took to load and fire a cannon
- The science and math that made Civil War-era artillery work, including the geometry involved in aiming a cannon and the chemical composition of black powder
- Cannon firing demonstrations
Participants will also have the chance to ask questions during the program. The webcast will be held March 11 from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m., and though it is geared primarily at school and library groups, anyone can participate!