Near Charleston in Charleston County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Mountain Howitzer
Photographed By Craig Swain, May 3, 2010
1. Mountain Howitzer Marker
Confederates used several field pieces like this 12-pounder mountain howitzer to defend against a surprise landing by Union forces.Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.
Location. 32° 45.113′ N, 79° 52.464′ W. Marker is near Charleston, South Carolina, in Charleston County. Marker is located at Fort Sumter National Monument and only reached by boat. See links below for more information about access to the site. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Charleston SC 29412, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Night Attack (here, next to this marker); Star of the West (a few steps from this marker); Swamp Angel (within shouting distance of this marker); Ironclads Attack (within shouting distance of this marker); Major Robert Anderson (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Sumter Bombarded (within shouting distance of this marker); Morris Island (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Morris Island (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charleston.
this page online
More about this marker. On the left side of the marker is a wartime photograph of a 12-pdr mountain howitzer standing on the wall of Fort Sumter, captioned simply, 1865.
Photographed By Craig Swain, May 3, 2010
2. Marker and Platform for Howitzer
The howitzer is currently removed to the Fort's museum, awaiting a new carriage.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 4, 2013
3. Mountain Howitzer Marker
Photographed By Craig Swain, May 3, 2010
4. Mountain Howitzer in the Museum
This specimen was cast by Cyrus Alger of Boston, Massachusetts in 1863. It has registry number 254, and foundry number 1302. It weighed 221 pounds when inspected by T. J. Rodman for acceptance. While it is very unlikely this particular howitzer was at Fort Sumter during the war, photographic evidence indicates the Confederates used weapons of this type.
5. Mountain Howitzer at Fort Sumter
Taken in April 1865 after the fort had been abandoned by the Confederates, this photo shows a 12-pdr Mountain Howitzer guarding the walls of the fort. Note the gabions - wicker baskets filled with dirt used to supplement the walls - on the fort facing.
Click for more information.
Click for more information.
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, May 29, 2011
6. Mountain Howitzer Display
Credits. This page was last revised on October 30, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 15, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,372 times since then and 128 times this year. Last updated on May 16, 2010, by Michael Sean Nix of Spartanburg, South Carolina. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 15, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3. submitted on August 18, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 4, 5. submitted on May 15, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 6. submitted on August 8, 2011, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA.
