Weapons of War

Weapons of War. American Artillery. The replica 18-pounder cannon located on the hill is similar to the type used by American forces during the Battle of St. Leonard Creek. “18-pounder” refers to the weight of the cannonballs, which were approximately five inches in diameter.

The Chesapeake Flotilla carried 24, 32, and 42-pounder cannonades (short, light cannon capable of firing a relatively large caliber shot) and 12, 18, and 24-pounder long guns.

The cannon fired during the battle were mounted on two types of carriages. Small-wheeled naval carriages, replicated here--- were used on the ships. The large-wheeled traveling carriages (shown in the illustration) were employed by the American land forces.

(Inscription beside the furnace in the upper center) , During the Battle of St. Leonard Creek, a small portable furnace---perhaps similar to the one shown at left--except mounted on large wheeled carriage---was used by the American land forces to heat solid shot, which upon striking wooden ships, could set them on fire. One soldier lost his arms when a mishandled hot shot caused an explosion at the gun battery.

U.S.S. Constellation , Eagle Scout Project-This replica gun battery was an Eagle Scout project by Erich Eshelman from Troop 427, Solomons, MD. It is typical of gun batteries used in the Chesapeake Bay region during the War of 18 12. The original gun battery during the Battle of St. Leonard Creek was located approximately 2,100 feet to the south, over-looking the Patuxent River and the mouth of the creek.

To create this replica battery, Erich conducted the research and coordinated all aspects of the project, including assembling volunteers who provided 121.5 hours of labor.

The cannon is a fiberglass cast of a late 18th century cannon found during recent renovations of the U.S.S. Constellation. The cannon was purchased by the Friends of Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum, thanks to a grant from the Eugene Chancy Foundation. Numerous other local companies and foundations also contributed to the project, making this a highly successful community effort in the summer of 2000.

(Inscription under the drawing in the left bottom) , Cannon on Traveling Carriage, Courtesy Round Shot and Rammers, by Harold L. Peterson, 1969, Stackpole Books.

(Inscription under the photos on the right) , Project Participants: Joey Black, Matt Black, Chris Chulski, Sean Daly, Brandon Davis, Erich Eshelman, Ricky Gines, Roberto Gines, Ray Hiben, Bradley Jeshelnik, Morgan Kaumyer, Josh McAlister, Matt McMinn, Daniel McMurry, Brandon Perkings, Matt Sanders, Joey Sntivasci, Jay Simpson, Kyle Simpson, and Jeremy Smith.

Funding provided to the Friends of Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum, Inc. by the Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network, National Park Service.