Cannons were used on both the Union and Confederate side, because mobility was important. Many soldiers liked how the cannon provided direct contact. Robert P. Parrot is a man known to many people during this time as an inventor. He invented many field artillery used during the Civil War.
The cannon had many steps in which to actually fire the cannon. Soldiers would place the gun powder in the back of the barrel, and the cannon ball was placed in front. Afterwards the gun powder would then be lighted causing the cannon ball to projectile