Jim; The 14 yard distance between guns marks the tightest distance in which a six-up team can make a "U" turn. Actually, the movement is more in the shape of a teardrop, as the team had to turn in a "box" 14 yards across and 12 yards deep, which is pretty small.

As to the term "in battery" this is also a command relating to the unlimbering of the gun. The command "in battery" directed that the limber with the gun began its tear drop turn at the line of battle, pulled the gun through the turn, and it was unlimbered at the line of battle with the muzzle to the front. The team then made a second tear drop turn to bring the lead pair of horses back to the proper 6 yard distance behind the gun.

The command "Action front" directed the team to halt the gun on the line of battle. It was unlimbered, and the team made its turn with the limber only. This was a lot easier on the horses, as the tear drop turn puts a tremendous strain on the wheel and swing pair of horses, and the wheel horses, especially the near [left] horse of the wheel team are forced to pull most of the weight of the gun during the turn.