Moundsville in Marshall County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Civil War Cannons
Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 18, 2009
1. Civil War Cannons Marker
In tribute to Howard D. Blankenship, who made all the arrangements to have both cannons retrofitted to their original. His project started 1977 and was completed 1984.
The northern piece was manufactured by N.P. Ames Foundry, Springfield Mass., 1844; used during the Mexican and Civil Wars. — The southern piece was cast from church bells, wedding rings & many other items at Nashville Tenn. foundry; captured by northern troops at the Battle of “Droop Mountain” in Pocahontas County, Nov. 6, 1863.
Erected by Marshall County Commission, Howard L. “Biggie” Byard, President of the Commission; J. Donald Krupica, “OK.–DK.” Commissioner; G. Charles Huges, Former Commissioner; Robert L. Myers, Commissioner.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, Mexican-American • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is October 6, 1853.
Location. 39° 55.117′ N, 80° 44.73′ W. Marker is in Moundsville, West Virginia, in Marshall County. Marker is at the intersection of 7th Street and Tomlinson Avenue, on the right when traveling east on 7th Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Moundsville WV 26041, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Benjamin C. Criswell (here, next to this marker); Marshall County Commemorates Service Men and Women
this page online
Also see . . . Battle of Droop Mountain. West Virginia Archives and History website entry:
1928 article by Roy Bird Cook. “The division of Virginia in 1863, and the erection of West Virginia, has no parallel in history. The roots of this episode ran back into long years before the ‘War.’ The question of slavery was of minor importance. Indeed in all, forty-seven counties out of present West Virginia only had an average of two slaves to the square mile. But differences over commerce and education, the origin and habits of citizens, and Virginia’s policy of internal improvements had caused to arise years before various schemes for division. At each constitutional convention able men from west of the mountains
Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 18, 2009
2. Civil War Cannons Marker, Civil War Memorial, and the Cannons
The marker is in front of the Marshall County Civil War Memorial on the court house grounds at the corner of 7th Street and Tomlinson Avenue in Moundsville. Visible on the left is the World War I memorial.
“Nothing that could be written, however, no matter how fair the historian, would exactly suit the proponents of either side. One distinguished historian recounted that Virginia felt a right to secession but objected to secession from secession. Be that as it may, when time tore states asunder, about thirty thousand men from the hills of West Virginia took up arms for the Union, and approximately seventy-five hundred, equally as brave, shouldered their muskets and marched to the South. It is our own chapter of national history. The uncles and brothers from the same families who took opposite sides were our people and we may well be permitted to be a bit proud of both. ” (Submitted on June 30, 2009.)
Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 18, 2009
3. The “Southern Piece”
Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 18, 2009
4. The “Northern Piece”
Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 18, 2009
5. Markings on the “Northern Piece”
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 15, 2011
6. Civil War Cannons
View of the Civil War Cannons, looking east along 7th Street at the intersection with Tomlinson Avenue.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 30, 2009, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,619 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 30, 2009, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 6. submitted on April 28, 2012, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.
