The Great Art of Artillery, Part One

TO THE READER.

...should be ejected at a certain given distance, and also in a given time, so that they may bring the desired result to those by whom they are intended. There will also be appended some things concerning the artificial investigation of the weight of mortars. Finally, we will treat of various mortars to be cast from materials other than metals. In the same place, we will also propose some things concerning Mortars, Cannons, and Sclopetae Pneumaticae pneumatic muskets/air guns.

The THIRD BOOK of the same part will comprise the doctrine of Petards: how, why, and where they were first invented: what forms they possess: and which of them are most apt for performing stupendous effects. The length, width, thickness, size of the orifice, and weight that ought to be assigned to individual Petards for demolishing specific objects. What form should be attributed to Petards for the purpose of perforating, breaking, lifting, pushing, splitting, and dissipating the same objects. What is the material of petards. By what rules the artificial investigation of their weight ought to be completed. With what materials and how Petards are to be loaded. What kind of small planks, and how they should be reinforced with iron, and bound to the Petards. What kind of tubes, and with what materials they should be filled, so that in their own time they carry the fire to the material enclosed within. What is to be observed concerning the ignition holes of the Petards, and which of them are better. What kind of Petard-related equipment is required for rightly loading and applying them to various objects: and many observations concerning the applications of Petards. What kind of person a Petardier ought to be, and what is the chief part of his duty. What kind and how many assistants are needed. What is to be considered before the application of a Petard to any place which we wish to capture in this way. What is to be done at the very point of application: and finally, after a successful or unsuccessful effect of the petard, what is to be done. What time is suitable for such Stratagems: and what is the best location. Indeed, all these things are confirmed by many histories and examples.

We have written the FOURTH Book of the same part concerning carriages or litters of every kind of cannon, both terrestrial and naval, as well as mortars; namely, for supporting, storing, and conveniently handling all of them. That is, concerning the forms of the carriages, their proportions in length as well as width, and thickness. Also concerning the wheels, axles, hubs, felloes, spokes, and their iron armor: and the names of each in various languages. Added here will be many things concerning screws for loading cannons, and other instruments looking to the same end: such as rammers, cleaning instruments, wedges, levers, jacks, powder vessels, and other things of that kind. Here also a place will be given to various Machines for elevating, sustaining, pulling, moving, and transferring from place to place Artillery weights of every kind; and this with little strength and expense. Furthermore, reasons for pulleys, screws, windlasses, capstans, cranes, Pancratii an ancient system of levers/all-powerful machines, and perpetual screws will be referred to there, all of which are treated mechanically.

In the FIFTH book of the same part, we will assign the structure and the method of conducting subterranean vehicles and platforms, or artillery mounds. Furthermore, many observations concerning both will be set forth, each comprehended in its own chapters. Also, the method will be elucidated by which war cannons, other artillery machines and impediments, officials, artificers, as well as various ministers and assistants, ought to be rightly and precisely arranged and located in camp. What is to be considered in the choice of a location for an artillery camp: and how it should be fortified so that it may be secure and immune from hostile incursions, the danger of fire and conflagration, the clandestine wiles of robbers, traitors, deserters, and ambushes, or the invasions of pack animals. Finally, the method of placing cannons in fortresses and castles, ships, and field battles, and what kind of cannons most befit them.

The SIXTH Book of the same part will treat of Arsenals, in which war machines are wont to be stored; namely, in what place and manner they are to be constructed: what Architectural order appropriately befits them, from which all their Symmetry and ornaments ought to be derived. Also, what order is to be observed in storing the same machines: and what preparations for war ought to be found there, so that in time of necessity recourse may be had to them. We also wish to be contained in that same book the names of all officials, ministers, artificers, and others whom the Artillery has need of: and what duty is incumbent upon each one. And also there will be described the various immunities and prerogatives of Artillery personnel, and the rules to whose observation all those who give their names to Artillery were bound formerly and are even now elsewhere.