The Gatling Gun, patented in 1862, is a hand-cranked, multi-barrel rapid-fire weapon that uses a rotating cluster of barrels to prevent overheating and a gravity-fed magazine to cycle cartridges. As each barrel comes into position, it loads, fires and ejects in sequence, producing a sustained rate of fire far beyond earlier volley guns. First used during the American Civil War, the Gatling gun went on to serve in conflicts across the late 19th century and is recognized as the first machine gun and a key precursor to modern rotary cannons. - AsNotedIn
| Y/M/D | Association | Description | Place | Locale | Food | Event | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1862/11/04 | Richard J Gatling | Inventor | US Patent 36836 is issued: To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, RICHARD J GATLING, of Indianapolis, county of Marion, and State of Indiana, have invented new and useful Improvements in Fire-Arms... | Invention of the Gatling Gun | |||
| 1864/00/00 | Although not approved by the US Army, General Butler independently buys 12 Gatling guns in June 1863 (or early 1864 depending on the specific model test phases) for $1,000 each out of his own pocket. | Invention of the Gatling Gun | |||||
| 1864/06/00 | General Butler positions at least two Gatling guns the Union trench lines facing the Confederate defenses around Petersburg, Virginia. | ||||||
| 1864/06/00 | Located just northeast of Petersburg near the confluence of the James and Appomattox rivers, Gen Butler places two to four Gatling Guns at Bermuda Hundred peninsula, his primary base of operations was the Bermuda Hundred peninsula. | ||||||
| 1864/06/00 | Eight to ten of Butlers' Gatling Guns are mounted on Union Navy gunboats and river patrol boats protecting the local bridgeheads and patrolling the James River. | ||||||
| 1898/07/01 | Gen John Henry Parker | American Commander | Lt Parker and his men use Gatling guns to cover the American assaults on both San Juan Hill and Kettle Hill. Swivel mountings enabled the gunners to rake Spanish positions, firing 18,000 rounds in 8.5 minutes into the Spanish defensive lines. | Memorial Loma de San Juan | Santiago de Cuba | Battle of San Juan Hill | |
| 1898/07/01 | Gen John Henry Parker | American Commander | Lt Parker and his men use Gatling guns to cover the American assaults on both San Juan Hill and Kettle Hill. Swivel mountings enabled the gunners to rake Spanish positions, firing 18,000 rounds in 8.5 minutes into the Spanish defensive lines. | Memorial Loma de San Juan | Santiago de Cuba | Invention of the Gatling Gun |
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