Middlesex Township near Carlisle in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Model 1857 Light 12 Pound Gun-Howitzer

"Napoleon"

Photographed By Larry Gertner, September 11, 2012

1. Model 1857 Light 12 Pound Gun-Howitzer Marker

Inscription. Named after Napoleon III, Emperor of France, the bronze tube design adopted in 1857 became the most widely used smoothbore artillery piece during the Civil War. At the battle of Antietam the U.S. Army employed 108 “Napoleon” pieces on the field while the Confederate forces had 26. The designation as a 12 pounder is derived from the weight of the solid ball that it fired. Besides solid shot this versatile type of artillery piece could also fire exploding shell, spherical case shot with shrapnel balls and anti-personnel canister rounds with great effect.

Erected by U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1857.

Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 40° 12.25′ N, 77° 9.569′ W. Marker was near Carlisle, Pennsylvania, in Cumberland County. It was in Middlesex Township. Marker could be reached from Soldiers Drive west of Army Heritage Drive. Located along the Army Heritage Trail. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 950 Soldiers Dr, Carlisle PA 17013, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. A Medal of Honor at Bear Paw Mountain (within shouting distance of this marker); Drummer Jarvis Hanks

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Training Centers (within shouting distance of this marker); Obstacle Course (within shouting distance of this marker); A Soldier Story (within shouting distance of this marker); The Carlisle Forge (within shouting distance of this marker); A New German Offender: The PAK 43/41 (within shouting distance of this marker); The Army's War Horse (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Carlisle.

Also see . . . The Model 1857 12-pounder. "Warfare History Network" entry. (Submitted on April 16, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Insert - a battery deployed image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Larry Gertner, September 11, 2012

2. Insert - a battery deployed

Insert - Confederate dead at Antietam image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Larry Gertner, September 11, 2012

3. Insert - Confederate dead at Antietam

Insert - firing table image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Larry Gertner, September 11, 2012

4. Insert - firing table

A "Napoleon" and limber on display image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Larry Gertner, September 11, 2012

5. A "Napoleon" and limber on display

Photographed By Larry Gertner, September 5, 2018

6. Model 1857 Light 12 Pound Gun-Howitzer Marker

All the markers and equipment displayed in this area have been removed.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 4, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 168 times since then and 7 times this year. Last updated on September 10, 2018, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 4, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 6. submitted on September 10, 2018, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.