The Strength Of The Solid Ball - 2104 Words

The solid ball was typically used against forts and other artillery pieces. The grape shot and canister shot were utilized as anti-personnel munitions. The Garrison Cannon used three different types of shells; hot shot, chain shot and bar shot. Hot shots were cannonballs that were heated until they were glowing red and then fired at ships to set them ablaze. Chain shot and bar shot consisted of two cannon balls connected by either a chain or bar. They were designed to destroy ships rigging. The mortar used only one type of shell, the bomb. The bomb was a hollow shell that was filled with black powder and had a fuse. The howitzer utilized hollow shot and anti-personnel munitions. In 1780, the French sent 5,500 soldiers to Rhode Island†¦show more content†¦Lafayette was the Commander of an American force consisting of nearly 3,200 Soldiers. Lafayette also reported all movements of the British Army to General Washington. By August 1781, the British Army had established itself in Yorktown, Virginia to begin construction of the port. Shortly after, Francois Joseph Paul de Grasse who was the Commander of the French West Indie Fleet would be given the option of attacking New York City, or attacking Yorktown. He chooses to attack Yorktown. Upon hearing this, Washington realized the time for decisive action was upon him. He moved his Continental Army, which was already reinforced by over 5,000 French Soldiers, to Yorktown. The stage was set for decisive military action. In September 1781, Washington was in Yorktown with his Continental Army numbering over 8,000 Soldiers, the French Army had roughly 8,500 Soldiers, the French Navy had arrived with 29 warships, and â€Å"Cornwallis’s Army took up positions in and near Yorktown. They had dug trenches and built fortifications and gun platforms† (Fradin, 25). Cornwallis had with him over 7,500 British and German troops. Could America and France defeat the British and win independence? Could the French Navy defeat the inevitable arrival of the British Navy? Possibly will a combined, multi-national, land and sea military operation is successfully conducted? On September 5, 1781, the World received the first answer, yes. On