Artillery was at the time considered to be “The King of the Battlefield”, at least to the artillerymen. I am sure the infantry or cavalry would have something to say about who was king on any battlefield. Artillery is big, loud, chest pulsing and bigger than life. The 12 Pound Napoleon came from France. The technology was licensed to the United States by the French Government. The 1857 12 Pound Napoleon would become the “King of the Battlefield” during the Civil War. While not as accurate as the 3” Ordnance Rifle whose rifling would make it extremely accurate, the Napoleon 4.62 Inch muzzle diameter would make it a vastly more deadly weapon at close range. In these battles, similar to those in the European battles previously, infantry lined up in concentrated formations and charged an enemy position with impunity. Whoever was left standing at the end, was the victor. The Napoleon in a battery would lay waste to entire swaths of infantry with its double and triple canister loads. Red Hot barrels of bronze would belch certain death to the infantrymen who would dare march into the enfilade.
 |
 |
| |
|
|
The original Gettysburg Gun in the picture above stands now at the Rhode Island State House. At Gettysburg, this gun was a part of the 1st Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery Battery B. They were positioned on the left of Alonzo H. Cushing’s 4th US Artillery Battery A near the “Copse of Trees” and the now famous “angle”. “The Gettysburg Gun” was one of six guns firing on the Confederate positions before “Pickett’s Charge” began. While attempting to load the cannon, a shell hit the bore of the gun at the muzzle and killed the two cannoneers servicing the piece. The remaining cannoneers tried to load the cannon but the bore had been damaged when the last shell had struck the muzzle.  While loading the 12 pound ball into the damaged bore, it was stuck and held fast. As the muzzle cooled down the piece became stuck where it resides today.
The New Gettysburg Gun
What does “The New Gettysburg Gun” have for you and me? “History is said to be a collection of peoples’ stories.” Without people, this gun would have no meaning or special place in history. Several brave men died servicing this cannon. John H. Rhodes wrote in his letters of the two men No. 1 William Jones and No 2. Alfred G. Gardner who died trying to load the cannon during the cannonade. Learning about and remembering these men will help us preserve the wonderful history they have now become.
|
