Howitz

a kind of mortar, mounted upon a field-carriage like a gun: the difference between a mortar and a howitz is, that the trunnions of the first are at the end, and of the other in the middle. The invention of howitzes is of much later date than mortars, as from them they had their origin. The constructions of howitzes are as various and uncertain as those of mortars, excepting the chambers, which are all cylindric. They are distinguished by the diameter of the bore; for instance, a 10 inch howitz is that, the diameter of which is 10 inches; and so of the larger or smaller ones. Howitz battery is made the same as a gun battery, only the embrasures are made at least a foot wider, on account of the shortne of the howitz. See Battery . Field Howitzer . The modern French use 6-inch howitzers in the field, which can throw a grenade at 6 degrees elevation, to a distance of 600 toises. The 6-inch howitzer can likewise throw to a smaller distance, a cartridge with 61 balls, of seventeen lines diameter. In both instances the effects are extremely fatal. The cavalry, in particular, can be annoyed by the former, in so galling a manner, as to be rendered almost usele . These howitz are used very numerously by the light or horse artillery; for which their form and weight admirably fit them.