A scarce, essential piece of artillery gear- the sponge that would be tacked in place on one end of the combination sponge-rammer staff. These were vital to the safety of a gun crew, with crewmember “Number 1” keeping it wet by dipping it in the “sponge bucket” set on the ground next the muzzle of the gun, and using it to swab out the cannon bore to extinguish any lingering embers from a previous round, helped by another member of the crew closing off the vent of the gun with a thumbstall. In the procedure of loading the gun, he would have a vested interest in making sure there was no premature ignition since he was also the one ramming home the next round with its propellant powder charge. It was, needless to say, essential to keep it in good condition or change it as necessary.

These are frequently missing from the rammer/sponge staff, if not severely moth damaged. This one retains nice, slightly muted colors to the thick pile of the fabric with very minor losses and the expected thinner band around the base where it would be tacked in place on a wood cylinder on the end of the staff. Its measurements also show it was for use with the 12-Pounder Napoleon, a renowned and widely used field gun in all theatres of the war by both sides.  [sr][ph:L]

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