Hayes Lowe
Some theories.
Sat Mar 31 14:01:08 2001


I am not very familiar with artillery, but I do have a little knowledge of it. I have three possible theories that come quickly to mind.

First, it was a signal cannon. However, these were usually brass. The ones that I have seen look more like a mortar than a cannon (short and stubby).

Second, there are 1 1/2" three pound smoothbore balls that really have not been accounted for as to their use. They are common battlefield finds, and generally attributed as "canister shot". However, all the surviving example of these canister packages that I know of used 1" balls. I can envision this being a type/size of cannon that Gen. Jackson may have used.

Third, it may have been a "powder tester". Regiments usually carried one of these to test its powder. They were 3" and in the shape of a little cannon. Perhaps cannon was a larger version of this, one which was used at the Selma foundry facility for testing larger charges. But, I can't think of any reason that they would have to test a larger amount of powder to see if it was effective.







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