A textbook for the Army cadets at the United States Military Academy in West Point on ordnance and gunnery.

Chapter IGunpowder -- Gunpowder -- Materials -- Charcoal -- Sulphur -- Fabrication -- Inspection, proof, &c. -- Effects of gunpowder -- Products, etc. of combustion -- Determination of the force of gunpowder -- Gun-cotton -- Chapter II Projectiles -- Projectiles -- Charge of rupture of shells -- Fabrication of projectiles -- Inspection of projectiles -- Preservation and piling of balls -- Theory and construction of rockets -- Chapter III History of cannon -- History of cannon -- Construction, &c., of cannon -- Interior form -- Seat of the charge -- Windage -- Length of bore -- Charge -- Materials -- Exterior form -- Trunnions -- Different kinds of cannon -- Rifle-cannon -- Uses to which cannon are applied -- Field cannon -- Mountain and prairie cannon -- Siege and garrison cannon -- Sea-coast cannon -- Manufacture of cannon -- Inspection of cannon -- Proof of cannon -- Injuries caused by service.