Near Atlantic Beach in Carteret County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Model 1841 6-pounder Field Cannon

Photographed by Craig Swain, May 2, 2010

1. Model 1841 6-pounder Field Cannon Marker

Inscription. Smallest caliber cannon used in the War Between the States. Several of these were used as secondary armament in Fort Macon during 1834-1861 to defend vulnerable areas against assaults.

Weight of Bronze Barrel ........887 Pounds
Weight of Gun Carriage .........900 Pounds
Weight of Shot....................6 Pounds
Gunpowder Charge ...............1 ¼ Pounds
Range (at 5°)...................1523 Yards
Normal Gun Crew......................7 Men

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1834.

Location. 34° 41.772′ N, 76° 40.733′ W. Marker is near Atlantic Beach, North Carolina, in Carteret County. It is on Fort Macon Road, on the right when traveling east. Located on the Parade Field of Fort Macon, Fort Macon State Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Atlantic Beach NC 28512, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Coastal Plain and on the Crystal Coast.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Model 1861 10-inch Siege Mortars (a few steps from this marker); Hot Shot Furnace (within shouting distance of this marker); Rifled 32-pounder (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to Fort Macon (within shouting distance of this marker); Model 1841 Navy 32-pounder (within shouting

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distance of this marker); Carronade Battery (within shouting distance of this marker); Mortar Battery (within shouting distance of this marker); Cistern (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Atlantic Beach.

Model 1841 6-pounder Field Cannon and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, May 2, 2010

2. Model 1841 6-pounder Field Cannon and Marker

Model 1841 6-pounder Gun image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, May 2, 2010

3. Model 1841 6-pounder Gun

The 6-pdr retains its front sight blade, which is often broken on surviving examples.

Trunnion Markings image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, May 2, 2010

4. Trunnion Markings

The markings indicate this cannon was produced by Miles Greenwood's foundry in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1864. It bears the foundry number 190. The date is noteworthy. By that time in the war, most units had turned in the 6-pdr smoothbores for larger 12-pdrs or rifled guns. Likely the gun was produced for a private contract or state militia.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 7, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 3, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 3,363 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 3, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.