The Daily Wabash Express

From the Indianapolis Journal

Trial Cannon—We were present on Thursday evening at one experimental firing by Mr. Lawson Houriet with a newly invented breech-loading cannon. This piece of ordnance was invented by Mr. H. who is a citizen of Terre Haute, and contains some dozen improvements over the ordinary cannons now in use. The cartridge is upon a new principle and its utility equal to its novelty. The casing for the powder is metallic and these can be used for grape, canister, either solid or shell shells of the same build shape, and in most cases the remaining can be used five at a time. The gun is so constructed as to have an aperture at both the breech and muzzle. When ready for loading, by means of a lever a plate is raised which uncovers the rear aperture and into this is placed a cartridge—The lever is lowered and the vent primed, the fuse inserted and the gun fired. After the explosion, the lever is again raised and a latch inserted in the rear aperture and then given a twist and the metallic casing of the exploded cartridge instantly withdrawn.—This can be repeated quite rapidly and Mr. Houriet asserts that for rapidity of firing the gun cannot be excelled. It will be seen that gunners are not required to be at the muzzle of the gun, and those operating it, six in number, can easily be protected from an enemy's fire by an iron shield. The range of the gun is said to be greater than other cannons, and it stands to reason that it is so, for the diameter of the outlet is smaller than at the loading point, and much greater force is thus given the projectile than if the reverse were true. Those who have seen it at target practice claim that its execution is remarkably accurate. The gun will be left at the Arsenal for perusal until the inventor can succeed in getting it introduced. Such meritorious proven new ordnance should receive prompt and fair examination by a board of ordnance officers, and if found useful should be adopted by the Government, and made serviceable in every division of the army.—But such is the rule at Washington that nothing of the kind, however meritorious, can receive respectful consideration. We trust Mr. Houriet's cannon may prove an exception to the general rule.