Pech / Bad luck

Ostatnio podczas dyskusji na forum TMP, użytkownik Billy Yank zacytował bardzo ciekawy fragment listu Jamesa Stewarta, służącego w Baterii Knappa (Pennsylvania Independent Battery E), opisujący wydarzenia pod Chancelorsville. Doskonale pokazuje on, że działania nieprzyjaciela nie były jedynymi problemami z którymi borykała się artyleria.

Quite recently on TMP forum, Billy Yank provided me with very interesting excerpt form a letter from James Stewart, a member of Knapp's Pennsylvania Independent Battery E describing the situation at Chancellorsville. It shows clearly that enemy actions weren't the only source of problems the artillery had to cope with. 

"May 3rd [...]. No. 6 Gun had an axel broke and repaired. At 3AM we got orders from General Hooker to move to the Right of the Army. No. 5 Gun broke down on the road and was taken off the field. Got in position on the right of the road with the 1st Corps. Built fortifications round our guns. Heavy firing towards our left of musketry and soon the artillery opened. It was the most exuberant firing of the war and lasted without intermission for 4 1/2 hours and afterwards was slight firing all along the line. Our loss was very heavy but the the enemy was heavier as we were behind fortifications… I was ordered to the rear with No. 6 Gun to get it repaired. Came back after night with No. 5 Gun mounted on our carriage.

[...] May 6th. No. 1 gun bursted at [the] muzzle and was taken off [the field]."