Sharpsburg in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Model 1857 12-Pounder Gun-Howitzer

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 13, 2013

1. Model 1857 12-Pounder Gun-Howitzer Marker

Inscription.
Commonly known as the “Napoleon,” this smoothbore was the favored artillery piece in both armies throughout the Civil War. Although it was used at moderate range with explosive shell, it was especially effective at short range with canister shot.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.

Location. 39° 28.491′ N, 77° 44.73′ W. Marker is in Sharpsburg, Maryland, in Washington County. Marker is on Dunker Church Road, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located on the Antietam Battlefield, near the Dunker Church. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sharpsburg MD 21782, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Lee’s Artillery Battalion (here, next to this marker); 3-Inch Ordnance Rifle (here, next to this marker); Model 1841 6-Pounder Gun (here, next to this marker); 10-Pounder Parrott Rifle (here, next to this marker); A Converging Storm of Iron (here, next to this marker); A Savage Continual Thunder (here, next to this marker); “Load” “Commence Firing” (a few steps from this marker); “I Hate Cannons” (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sharpsburg.

Also see . . .
1. Canon obusier de 12. The

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Canon obusier de 12, also known as the "Canon de l’Empereur" was a type of canon-obusier (literally "gun-howitzer") developed by France in 1853. Its performance and versatility (it was able to fire either ball, shell, canister or grapeshot) allowed it to replace all the previous field guns, especially the Canon de 8 and the Canon de 12 as well as the two howitzers of the Valée system. The cannon owes its alias to French president and emperor Napoleon III. (Submitted on October 15, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)

2. Antietam National Battlefield. National Park Service website entry (Submitted on October 16, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 13, 2013

2. Model 1857 12-Pounder Gun-Howitzer Marker

Artillery on the Antietam Battlefield image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 13, 2013

3. Artillery on the Antietam Battlefield

The Model 1857 12-Pounder Gun-Howitzer is the second cannon from the right.

Model 1857 12-Pounder Gun-Howitzer image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 13, 2013

4. Model 1857 12-Pounder Gun-Howitzer

Model 1857 12-Pounder Gun-Howitzer Marker<br>Second From the Right image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brian Scott, September 19, 2015

5. Model 1857 12-Pounder Gun-Howitzer Marker
Second From the Right

Model 1857 12-Pounder Gun-Howitzer and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brian Scott, September 19, 2015

6. Model 1857 12-Pounder Gun-Howitzer and Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 16, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 18, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 505 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 18, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 5, 6. submitted on October 15, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.