Idaho Capitol Sea Coast Gun - Static Artillery Displays on Waymarking.com

For nearly a century this cannon has graced the lawn of the Idaho Capitol building in Boise. My dad would take me here every Sunday so I could see it. It seemed huge to me at the time, and it still seems pretty big now.

This big brass 42 LB Sea Coast Gun was donated to the State of Idaho in 1910. It is a relic of the Civil War and was used in the Vicksburg, Mississippi siege.

The Sea Cost Gun was one of the largest guns put to use during the war.

The Civil War was not the only action that this cannon saw.

According to the Idaho Capitol Commission the barrel of this cannon was not always filled with concrete. During prohibition bootleggers used the large breech as a pickup spot for the hooch. It was discovered one hot day when the brass super-heated the bottle and it broke. Whisky was seen poring from the barrel and concrete was used to "plug" the problem.


HISTORY:

The Siege of Vicksburg

In May and June of 1863, Major General Ulysses S. Grant's armies converged on Vicksburg, investing the city and entrapping a Confederate army under Lieutenant General John Pemberton.

On July 4, Vicksburg surrendered after prolonged siege operations. This was the culmination of one of the most brilliant military campaigns of the war.

With the loss of Pemberton's army and this vital stronghold on the Mississippi, the Confederacy was effectively split in half.

Grant's successes in the West boosted his reputation, leading ultimately to his appointment as General-in-Chief of the Union armies.

Result(s): Union victory

Date(s): May 18-July 4, 1863

Principal Commanders: Major General Ulysses S. Grant [US]; Lieutenant General John C. Pemberton [CS]

Forces Engaged: Army of the Tennessee [US]; Army of Vicksburg [CS]

Estimated Casualties: 35,825 total (US 4,550; CS 31,275)

What type of artillery is this?: Civil War era cannon Where is this artillery located?: Government building What military of the world used this device?: US Civil War, Union Army Date artillery was in use: 05/18/1863 Date artillery was placed on display: 01/01/1910 Cost?: 0.00 (listed in local currency) Artillery is no longer operational: yes Still may work: no Parking location to view this Waymark: Not Listed Are there any geocaches at this location?: Not listed

Visit Instructions:
Two pictures are required for this Waymark. Please take a close up picture of the artillery. Take a second with the artillery in the distance and capture as much of the surroundings as possible. Name the Waymark with first the name of the area and second what the artillery is. An example would be if it were a cannon in front of the Montgomery Armory you would name the Waymark: Montgomery Armory Cannon.

Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log User Rating   10/08/2018 mondou2 visited it 05/26/2010 dingo262 visited it

View all visits/logs