Cannon 101,
or
"How do I make this thing go Bang, without Blowing myself up in the Process?"

A muzzle-loading cannon is basically a tube that's closed off at the back, or breech end except for a small hole on top. This hole, the vent, is used to fire the piece. The barrel sits on a carriage, to which it is attached. The drill to fire consists of putting a powder charge and projectile(s) in through the muzzle; ramming it all the way down; putting a priming or ignition system in the vent; and setting it off.
No two gunnery manuals list the same terms for the members of the gun crew, so we'll go with a set that works by job descriptions.

• The Primer has a number of jobs, including of course priming the piece. His tools are a leather thumbstall to block the vent during cleaning, a priming wire or prick to puncture the powder bag or cartridge, and a priming flask for pouring powder into the vent.
• The Wormer gets his title from the worm, which he uses to search the piece for burning debris from the last shot. He also places the ammunition in the muzzle of the gun for the Rammer.
• The Rammer does just that - he uses the tool of the same name, to push the powder and shot to the breech. He also uses the sponge on the other end of the rammer staff to quench any sparks from the last shot.
• The Powder Monkey keeps the loads in the limber chest at a safe distance behind the gun. During loading, he brings charges and projectiles forward, and hands them to the Wormer.
• The Bombardier uses the linstock equipped with burning slowmatch to set off the piece.
• Last but not least, the Gun Captain keeps the team together and gives the commands for the drill.

• On the command Stall the Piece, the Primer places his thumb, wearing the thumbstall, over the vent. He keeps it there for the entire loading process. This keeps air away from any potential sparks from the last shot.
• On Search the Piece, the Wormer puts the worm all the way down the barrel to the breech, and gives it two full turns to scrape out any debris.
• Next, when Sponge the Piece is given, the Rammer puts a damp sponge down the barrel, gives two full turns, and withdraws. Coming out of the muzzle, the sponge should make a "bunging" noise like a cork being pulled. If instead, a hissing noise comes from the vent, it means the Primer wasn't keeping a tight thumb seal.
• For extra safety, search and sponge again.
• After the second search, the Wormer sets down his tool and turns his back to the muzzle, to receive the powder charge. At the command, Handle Cartridge, the Powder Monkey puts a single charge in his pass bag.
• When Advance Cartridge is given, brings it up to the Wormer. Since the Powder monkey comes right past the Bombardier with the cartridge, the latter should turn the linstock so that its lit end points directly away from the powder charge.
• The wormer accepts the powder charge, and waits for the order to Charge with Cartridge. He places his right hand on top of the barrel to ground any static electricity. Then, WITHOUT GETTING HIS HAND IN FRONT OF THE MUZZLE, brings the charge up from below and tucks it just inside the muzzle.
• On Ram Down Charge, the Rammer puts the tip of the staff just over the cartridge, and briskly slides it to the breech. He holds the rammer staff underhanded, with his thumb tucked under and not wrapped around the staff. He should try to throw the ramrod down to the breech without his hand on it at the moment of contact. When the charge is down, he gives it a couple of smart taps to be sure it's seated.
• If firing projectiles on a proper range, the next set of commands would be Handle Shot; Advance the Shot; Charge with Shot; and Ram Down the Shot. When you ram a ball, make absolutely certain that it's down snugly on top of the powder. An airspace between powder and ball can blow the barrel.
• The Primer finally gets to raise his thumb. At the command Prick and Prime, he takes the Priming wire between his thumb and forefinger, without putting any of his anatomy over the vent, and puts it down through the vent to pierce the charge. He then measures a charge of fine-grained priming powder, or uses a premeasured charge, to fill the vent. He then indicates that he's done with the statement, Ready.
• The Gun Captain will then Gauge the Piece, aiming and adjusting it with the Handspike.
• He then says to Have a Care. At this, the Rammer and Wormer step their outside feet away from the gun, cover their gunside ears, and open their mouths. The Primer steps back outside the wheels and opens his mouth. The Bombardier opens his mouth.
• The Bombardier, told to Give Fire, standing outside the wheels, brings the linstock down behind the vent and then rolls the match into the priming powder. The piece fires.