Savannah in Chatham County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Napoleon 12-Pounder Field Gun Model 1857
Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2009
1. The Napoleon 12-Pounder Field Gun Model 1857 Marker
The twelve-pound Napoleon smoothbore cannon was developed in France in 1853 and was named for the Emperor Napoleon III. It was adopted and manufactured in the United States in 1857. It was the mainstay of artillery for both the Union and Confederate armies during the American Civil War.
Napoleon cannons were maneuverable, rugged and dependable and were effective in long range fire as well as close range action. The tube is made of bronze, which is a mixture of copper and tin and fired a twelve solid iron cannon ball.
This cannon was manufactured by H.N.H. & Company and was the 178th gun produced by this company in the Northern United States in 1863.
(Right panel)
The Napoleon 12-Pounder Field Gun Model 1857 Statistics
Tube weight: 1230 lbs.
Tube length: 66"
Maximum range: 1660 yards
Charge: 2.5 lbs black powder
Ammo: solid (12-pound ball), spherical case (shrapnel), shell, cannister
Rate of fire: 3-4 rounds per minute
Crew: 7
Piece weight 2355 lbs.
Muzzle velocity: 1485 fps. (feet per second)
Total manufactured: Union 1156 - Confederate 501
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1853.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Fort James Jackson (within shouting distance of this marker); 1873 Shell Magazine (within shouting distance of this marker); Republican Blues (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Garrison of Fort Jackson (about 300 feet away); CSS Georgia: The "Ladies' Gunboat" (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Fort James Jackson (about 400 feet away); Construction of Fort Jackson (about 400 feet away); Colonials at Bonaventure (approx. 2˝ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Savannah.
Photographed By Mike Stroud, November 29, 2009
2. The Napoleon 12-Pounder Field Gun Model 1857
Marker in bottom right corner
Photographed By Mike Stroud, November 29, 2009
3. The Napoleon 12-Pounder Field Gun Model 1857
Photographed By Mike Stroud, November 29, 2009
4. Implements Used In Firing A Cannon
1. Limber Chest 2. Sponge and Rammer 3. Water Bucket
4. Handspike 5. Leather Primer Tube Pouch
6. Leather Gunners Haversack 7. Worm
4. Handspike 5. Leather Primer Tube Pouch
6. Leather Gunners Haversack 7. Worm
Photographed By Mike Stroud, November 29, 2009
5. Limber and Ammo chest
Photographed By Mike Stroud, November 29, 2009
6. The Napoleon 12-Pounder Field Gun Model 1857
No. 178 H.N.H. & Co. 1230 lbs
T.J.R. 1863
Translated, these figures indicate the weapon was the 178th of the 12-pdr Napoloens produced by Henry N. Hooper, inspected and accepted by the government. Thomas J. Rodman inspected the gun in 1863. It weighed 1,230 lbs at that time.
T.J.R. 1863
Translated, these figures indicate the weapon was the 178th of the 12-pdr Napoloens produced by Henry N. Hooper, inspected and accepted by the government. Thomas J. Rodman inspected the gun in 1863. It weighed 1,230 lbs at that time.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 2, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 5,658 times since then and 143 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 2, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
