Smyrna in Cobb County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Artillery Redan
The palisade was interrupted at this point for an artillery redan, an earth structure designed to protect two cannons. The lower sections in the wall of the redan indicate where the muzzle of each gun would protrude. Of the three dozen or so redans that once existed along the River Line, this is the only one that remains.
By far the most common cannon used by both sides was a 12-pounder Napoleon, a smoothbore gun. The Napoleon didn't have the range or accuracy of a rifled gun, but it could fire many different types of ordnance (shot, shell, grape, canister, etc.) and could be used to duel with opposing artillery, shell enemy troops at a distance, or blast attacking infantry.
This photo taken by George N. Barnard, shows a Napoleon in the defenses of Atlanta while Federal troops occupied the city in September 1864. This same cannon is on display in the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park Visitors Center, about ten miles, northwest. While we don't know for certain which artillery unit occupied this redan, we do know that all the batteries that were assigned to this section of the River Line were equipped with 12-pounder Napoleons or 3-inch ordnance rifles.
Continue along the path to the next Shoupade.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1864.
Location. 33° 50.21′ N, 84° 29.457′ W. Marker is in Smyrna, Georgia, in Cobb County. Marker can be reached from Oakdale Road south of Fort Drive, on the left when traveling south. Proceed from First Shoupade marker on the Shoupade Park Trail to reach the Artillery Redan Marker. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4770 Oakdale Road, Smyrna GA 30080, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Second Shoupade (within shouting distance of this marker); First Shoupade (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Shoupade Park (about 400 feet away); Collins Springs Primitive Baptist Church (approx. 0.6 miles away); Here Johnston’s River Line Crossed the Rd. (approx. 1.2 miles away); Whittier Cotton Mill and Village (approx. 1.8 miles away); United Distributors (approx. 1.9 miles away); The Alexander Eaton House: Hood’s H'dq'rs. (approx. 1.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Smyrna.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 10, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 10, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 437 times since then and 16 times this year. Last updated on March 9, 2021, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 10, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.