George Washingtons Cannons

[smokemjoe]

Down in Savannah Georgia on the main street in the old town under a roof are 3 very nice cannons, The name on the sign says George Washingtons Cannons, Has anyone here seen them and can tell more about them, These are in  great condition, A very nice old orginal town yet, Thanks for reading and any help. Joe

[Cannoneer]

Joe,
Here's some history on the guns; they've been shown here before.

Savannah

[GGaskill]

Too bad they are on Civil War carriages.

[smokemjoe]

Thanks for the story, It was something I seen 3 years ago and never forgot. Thanks- Joe

[KABAR2]

Actually I think those are post civil war carriages look at the wheel hubs.
The good thing is they are under cover it would be better if they were indoors
but at least they are out of most of the weather. it's interesting that they were
presented with a mis-matched pair rather than two English or two french cannon.....

[GGaskill]

Actually I think those are post civil war carriages look at the wheel hubs.

You're right.  They should be on split trail carriages for the style of the barrels.  At least they are on carriages.

[flintlock]

With one being French, makes you wonder if that cannon was captured by the British and used as their defense at Yorktown or if if was a cannon the French had donated to the cause and was used against the British at Yorktown...

[KABAR2]

With one being French, makes you wonder if that cannon was captured by the British and used as their defense at Yorktown or if if was a cannon the French had donated to the cause and was used against the British at Yorktown...

I believe that the bronze guns captured at Yorktown were engraved
with this fact so it should have an inscription on the barrel

Cannonmn made mention in a thread about VMI that many of the french cannon
there were purchased by the colonies during the Revolution from France many
of these dated to the reign of Louis XIV  as the french gun in Savannah is also.

I am not sure the French "donated" arms to our cause we received loans which paid for the arms
and once free of England our young republic made sure all loans were paid in full.......
something few countries who borrow from us do........

[Cannoneer]

Too bad they are on Civil War carriages.

Actually I think those are post civil war carriages look at the wheel hubs.
The good thing is they are under cover it would be better if they were indoors
but at least they are out of most of the weather. it's interesting that they were
presented with a mis-matched pair rather than two English or two french cannon.....

I agree that these guns would make a much greater impression if they were mounted on period correct double trail carriages.
Allen, I don't know when those U.S. block trail carriages date from, but the wheels are steel naved, 16 spoke, 57¾-inch artillery wheels that date from the latter 1800's.

I like the way this phrase was turned on one of the plaques: During the War Between the States the historic cannons were buried for safety beneath the Chatham Artillery armory and were not removed until 1872 when the Federal occupation troops had departed.
 
 

[KABAR2]

 
I agree that these guns would make a much greater impression if they were mounted on period correct double trail carriages.
Allen, I don't know when those U.S. block trail carriages date from, but the wheels are steel naved, 16 spoke, 57¾-inch artillery wheels that date from the latter 1800's.

I like the way this phrase was turned on one of the plaques: During the War Between the States the historic cannons were buried for safety beneath the Chatham Artillery armory and were not removed until 1872 when the Federal occupation troops had departed.
 

Yes I would love to see proper split trail 18th Century carraiges produced for these,

and the existing carriages used for a couple of original Civil War cannon.

The federal occupation may have been lifted in 1872 but the feeling of distrust of the Federal Government and the North lingerd for

for years after , in 1898 when federal troops were to be moved to Florida for the invasion of Cuba a Confederate General was brought

out of retirement  and given command of a unit this was more a political move to keep the level of distrust down as they moved the troops

south.....

[Cannoneer]

Allen,
I've checked out the CW forum here at GBO, (now guys please don't misinterpret this, it's a fine forum) and there are still some high emotions involved with our "Deadliest War."

[Zulu]

When I was re-enacting, I shot Yankees as often as I could.   Sometimes I had to be one.
Zulu

[KABAR2]

When I was re-enacting, I shot Yankees as often as I could.   Sometimes I had to be one.
Zulu

I would  never have suspected you were a cross dresser.........