Proposal to Develop a Multiple Barrel Machine Gun, 1861

[p.2]

and at least once per second. As there are eight balls, they will take effect 800 yards, but it is contemplated to reduce the size and increase the number as the distance is lessened. Thus 8 oz. balls shoot 800 yards;
1 oz. balls shoot 200 yards;
1/2 oz. balls shoot 100 yards.

The number of balls per minute will be as follows:
8 oz. balls, 7,680
1 oz. balls, 61,240
1/2 oz. balls, 122,880

The same amount of lead will be discharged each fire, upon the principle of solid ball, Grape and Canister for cannon Each section of battery to be protected by a plate of Boiler Iron, 3/16 of an inch thick, presenting an inclined plane of forty-five degrees from front. One hundred and Sixty men will man a full battery. Thirty-Two horses will be sufficient for transportation of the whole battery. The cost of putting them up, cannot exceed Thirty Dollars per Gun. Believing that I have completed the description of every thing materially necessary for your information.

I have the honor to be,
Very Respectfully
Your obt servant
E.B. Ridley M.D.