Columbus in Muscogee County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Red Jacket

Photographed by David Seibert, April 30, 2011

1. Red Jacket Marker

Inscription. Red Jacket, a small brass cannon, was first used in firing a salute of 500 guns when Georgia seceded from the Union. In custody of the Columbus Guards, it fired salutes at the inauguration of Jefferson Davis as President of the Confederate States of America at Montgomery, Alabama, Feb. 18, 1861. Red Jacket was purchased by Mrs. Laura Beecher Comer in 1861 and presented to the Columbus Guards. During the war period it was used to fire salutes to Confederate victories in the Army and Navy. When a Federal army approached Columbus in 1865, some member of the Columbus Guards, fearing the little gun would be captured, threw in into the Chattahoochee River near the city wharf. Four years later, it was accidentally drawn up on the fluke of an anchor. The finders sold it as junk and it was carried to New York City and bought by J. W. Godfrey, an armorer. A newspaper reporter saw Red Jacket and wrote a description of it in a New York paper. The clipping was sent to L. H. Chappell, then captain of the Columbus Guards, in 1884. Correspondence ensued and Mr. Godfrey restored the gun to the Columbus Guards. In 1930 Red Jacket was stolen

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from its carriage on Upper Broad Street and conveyed to the river bank. When fired, it burst into many pieces. Alva C. Smith, secretary - treasurer of the Historical Society of Columbus, found all the pieces and had the gun mended and rebuilt.

Erected 1955 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 106-22.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical date for this entry is February 18, 1828.

Location. 32° 27.881′ N, 84° 59.451′ W. Marker is in Columbus, Georgia, in Muscogee County. It is at the intersection of 10th Street and Second Avenue, on the left when traveling west on 10th Street. The marker stands at the sidewalk in front of the Muscogee County Courthouse. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Columbus GA 31901, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Piedmont.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Photographed by David Seibert, April 30, 2011

2. Red Jacket Marker

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: Birthplace of Georgia's Woman Suffrage Movement (a few steps from this marker); POW✯MIA Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Primus King and the Civil Rights Movement (within shouting distance of this marker); Confederate Hospitals (within shouting distance of this marker); Ladies Defender (within shouting distance of this marker); Springer Opera House (within shouting distance of this marker); Dr. Thomas H. Brewer (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Columbus Symphony Orchestra (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbus.

Regarding Red Jacket. After Red Jacket was rebuilt, it stood for many years at the courthouse, near the marker. It has been moved to the Columbus Ironworks Convention and Trade Center.

Photographed by David Seibert, April 30, 2011

3. Red Jacket Marker

Looking east on 10th Street at the intersection with Second Avenue

The Red Jacket cannon image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, December 27, 2017

4. The Red Jacket cannon

The rebuilt cannon can be seen here to the far right, as part of a 'historic display' on the second floor of the Columbus, Georgia Convention and Trade Center.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 20, 2018. It was originally submitted on September 8, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 1,834 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 8, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 4. submitted on January 20, 2018, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.