CS Army 8-Inch Columbiad at the Confederate Memorial Hall Museum in New Orleans
A CS Army 8-Inch Columbiad is displayed at the Confederate Memorial Hall Museum in New Orleans. Many thanks to Michael Hill for these photos!
This 8-Inch Columbiad was cast at Tredegar Foundry in 1863. It is Tredegar Registry number 1932. It weighed as manufactured 8,566 pounds. A plaque beside the Columbiad states:
“This 8 in. Columbaid, cast of Alabama iron by the Confederates at Selma, Ala. was mounted in Spanish Fort, Mobile Bay. The Fifth Company Slocomb's Battery Battalion Washington Artillery of New Orleans, during the siege of that fort by the U.S. forces under Gen. E.R.S. Canby alone served this piece until it was disabled on the tenth day of the siege April 4th, 1865, by the concentrated fire of more than twenty five opposing guns. Thirteen of the company fell dead or wounded around it. Found twenty six years after in the redoubt where used, it was obtained by the survivors of the company, who along with their comrades of the other companies of the Battalion Washington Artillery, here dedicate on this 19th day of September 1899, as a monument to the dashing and beloved Cuthbert Harrison Slocomb Captain of the Fifth Company, and to the gallant spirits he led who are with him in the life beyond.”
The 8-Inch Confederate Columbiad was patterned after Rodman’s 8-Inch gun. However, unlike Rodman’s guns which were cast hollow and cooled from the inside-out, Confederate Columbiads were cast solid and bored out.
Number 1932’s right trunnion has been damaged during its history.
8-Inch Columbiad Number 1932 in New Orleans
8-Inch Columbiad Number 1932 in New Orleans
8-Inch Columbiad Number 1932 in New Orleans
