12-Pounder Gun-Howitzer Model 1857 - Fort Monroe VA - Static Artillery Displays on Waymarking.com

Inscription on the bronze plaque-Union field piece
Made by Revere Copper Co., Boston
Bronze smoothbore
commonly called Napoleon
Diameter of bore 4.62 inches
Overall length 72.15 inches
Weight 1228 pounds
Range 1680 yards (0.95 miles)

From: Networkhttps://warfarehistorynetwork.com/2016/09/15/the-model-1857-12-pounder/ : This gun-howitzer became a mainstay of the Union artillery during the Civil War, proving its worth at Gettysburg. A Preferred Cannon in the Civil War
The first Napoleon gun was cast in America early in 1857. Besides being made originally with handles (called dolphins) above the trunions, it proved to have some additional drawbacks, and it was redesigned slightly. Four more were cast, and these guns remained the only ones in Army service until 1861, when production began in earnest. Soon after reaching its new post at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, in September 1857, Company M, 2nd U.S. Artillery was the first to receive the four spanking-new bronze 12-pounder Napoleons.

The company (at that time artillery batteries were still designated as companies) was commanded by Captain Henry Hunt, who during the Civil War rose to the rank of brigadier general of volunteers and chief of artillery of the Army of the Potomac. Hunt was probably the foremost artillerist of his time. He and his gunners were very impressed with the new weapon, which combined the features of the gun with some of the howitzer, and proved capable of the long range and accuracy of the former and the high-angled fire of the latter. It could fire all types of projectiles with ease and it was an especially deadly weapon when hurling canister at close ranges.

By the beginning of the third year of the war, Hunt had effective control of no fewer than 346 cannons in the Army of the Potomac. Commanding General Ulysses S. Grant’s Overland Campaign coincided with a move to alter the ratio of Napoleons to rifles in the Army of the Potomac, a ratio that since the early days of the war had meant rifle dominance by a wide margin. By March 1864, rifled cannons still outnumbered the smoothbore gun-howitzer that Hunt preferred, but only by a small margin: 154 rifles against 120 Napoleons. The Confederates used Napoleons in great numbers during the war as well. In fact, after the heavy fighting in 1862, General Robert E. Lee recommended that the many obsolete 6-pounders and older Model 1841 12-pounders be melted down and recast into Napoleons.

What type of artillery is this?: Howitzer Cannon Where is this artillery located?: Military Grounds What military of the world used this device?: Union in the Civil War Artillery is no longer operational: yes Still may work: no Are there any geocaches at this location?: Yes, GC7B6VP. Date artillery was in use: Not listed Date artillery was placed on display: Not listed Parking location to view this Waymark: Not Listed Cost?: Not Listed

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