The Breech Loading Cannon in Missouri
T. A. Wright, of Mobile, Ala., refers to the articles appearing in the VETERAN about breech loading cannon, and writes:
"In 1861 I belonged to Capt. James W. Kneisley's Battery, Greens Regt, Harrir's Division, Missouri State Guards, and in the winter it was camped at Springfield, Mo. While there a man by the name of Harris or Harrison came to our camp, bringing a breech-loading cannon. It was about four and a half or five feet long, made of Brass, and the bore was three-quarters to one inch in diameter and carried a one-pound ball, very like a Minie ball. The powder was in a bag attached to the ball, and this was fired by the use of point fire on the friction primer, the same as an ordinary cannon. The gun was mounted on two very light wheels and required only two men to work it, when we left Springfield, the Captain, as we called the owner, disappeared.
"The gun was invented by D. W. Hughes, the Corn Planter man of Palmyra, Mo., who a few years agon was living in Quincy, Ill., and a letter addressed to him there might gain some information worth having. About a year ago I saw an article in the Palmyra Spectator written by D. W. Hughes in regard to this gun and other Patents the U.S. Goverment confiscated because he was a Confederate Sympathizer.'
I received some great answers on the board about the weapon refering to a website plus some information on Hughes. What I don't know and desire to find out, is what happened to the weapon? Was it used at Pea Ridge and Corinth? I know that Kneisley's Battery was in both places before it was discharged in June 1862. In reading the information found on CivilWarWiki some of the information mentioned by Wright seems to contradict what is on the board. Apparently this weapon had a tendency to blow up after a few rounds was fired.
Wright does offer a clue to further information in an article found in the Palmyra Spectator.