The 8-Inch Columbiads, Pattern 1844, of Medina, New York
Two US Army 8-Inch Columbiads, Pattern 1844, guard the veterans section of and flank the gates to a cemetery in Medina, New York. They are mounted on ornamental iron pedestals which were made to resemble stylized carriages. The two Columbiads, Numbers 83 and 86, were manufactured by the West Point Foundry in 1855.
The 8-Inch Columbiad, Pattern 1844, of Fort Sumter
The US Army 8-Inch Columbiad, Pattern 1844, looks almost insignificant at Fort Sumter as it rests between two gargantuan 50,000 pound 15-Inch Rodmans which were brought to the fort in the 1870s. The smaller Columbiad is missing a portion of its muzzle, its right trunnion, and much of its cascabel. It's not mounted on a carriage like the cannons in the casemates. An interpretive sign notes that several of the type were present at the fort in 1861 and that this cannon probably has remained there since then.
8-Inch Confederate Columbiad in Waterman, Illinois
An 8-Inch Confederate Columbiad is displayed in Johnson Grove Cemetery near Waterman, Illinois. It sits atop a pedestal bearing the inscriptions “Dedicated to the Soldiers of the Civil War” and “Erected 1905.”
The left trunnion bears the mark “1864” - probably for the date of acceptance into service. The Tredegar Foundry number on the muzzle - “1947” - actually corresponds to a casting date of October 27th, 1863 in the records of Tredegar Iron Works of Richmond, Virginia.
8-Inch Confederate Columbiads in St. Augustine, Florida
Two 8-Inch Confederate Columbiads cast by Bellona Foundry in 1861 are displayed in the Plaza de la Constitución in Saint Augustine, Florida. Bellona’s registry numbers “27” and “29” are stamped on the muzzle. Their weight as manufactured, 8,750 pounds, is stamped on the breech of each. The bronze plaques with each cannon claim that these cannons were present at Fort Marion (Castillo de San Marcos).
The 8-Inch Confederate Columbiad at Drewry’s Bluff
An 8-Inch Confederate Columbiad is displayed at Fort Darling at Drewry's Bluff on the James River near Richmond, Virginia. The Columbiad, Number 66, was cast at Bellona Foundry in 1862. The Columbiad, mounted on the commanding position overlooking the James, represents the battery which fought USS Galena and USS Monitor on May 15th, 1862.
Fort Johnson in 1865
Fort Johnson, which dated to colonial times, had fired the "signal" mortar round at the beginning of the Bombardment of Fort Sumter, and which had been a major component of the defenses of Charleston harbor - especially after the reduction of Fort Sumter, was photographed in 1865. These photos, available in high resolution on the Library of Congress website, show the four heavy cannons facing the shipping channel, along with carriages, implements, projectiles, and more.
Early 8-Inch Confederate Columbiad at Fort Pulaski
An early 8-Inch Confederate Columbiad is displayed on the parapet of Fort Pulaski near Savannah, Georgia. While it resembles the US Army “New Columbiad” of 1857/1858, it is the only known example of its specific type to survive.
The Cannons at Fort Fisher
The Second Battle of Fort Fisher was fought from January 13th - 15th, 1865. This post gives an overview of the major types of heavy cannons present in the fort and aboard the fleet. The cannons pictured include Columbiads, Brooke Rifles, Dahlgren Cannons, and Parrott Rifles.
10-Inch Confederate Columbiad at the South Carolina Military Museum
Bellona Foundry 10-Inch Columbiad Number 22 is displayed at the South Carolina Military Museum in Columbia, South Carolina. This Columbiad, cast in 1863, was part of the defenses of Charleston, sold for scrap after the war, lost in a shipwreck, and recovered and conserved in the 21st Century.
Heavy Artillery of the Confederacy in the American Civil War
This post is an overview of the major types and systems of heavy naval and seacoast artillery operated by the Confederate Army and Confederate Navy during the American Civil War. The principle types used were: Pre-War US Army cannons and Columbiads, Pre-War US Navy cannons and Dahlgren guns, Confederate Columbiads, Brooke Rifles and Smoothbores, banded and rifled cannons, and British rifles.
The 10-Inch Confederate Columbiad at Fort Macon
An original 10-Inch Confederate Columbiad is displayed at Fort Macon on Bogue Banks in North Carolina. While Fort Macon mounted two such cannons during the war, this particular Columbiad was mounted at Charleston, was sold for scrap after the Civil War, was shipped and lost aboard the schooner Philadelphia, and was recovered off the coast of South Carolina in the 2010s.
The Cannons of Fort Macon
Fort Macon on Bogue Banks in North Carolina is a beautifully preserved and restored Third System fort which has been operated as a state park since 1924. Over the last decades the Friends of Fort Macon have raised money to rearm the fort and in so doing has made a very significant contribution to the historical interpretation of the fort. For those who are interested in American Seacoast Artillery, Fort Macon is a fascinating site to visit.
20-Inch Rodman of Fort Hamilton, New York
A 20-Inch Rodman Gun is displayed at Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn, New York. This type was the largest cannon manufactured by the United States during the American Civil War. These photos were provided by another individual and are used with permission.
10-Inch Rodman of Middlebury, Vermont
A 10-Inch Rodman is displayed in Middlebury, Vermont.
The Rodmans of Fort McHenry
Displayed at Fort McHenry near Baltimore, Maryland are three types of Rodman guns: 8-Inch Smoothbores, 8-Inch Rifles converted in the 1870s from 10-Inch Smoothbores, and 15-Inch Smoothbores. Taken together this is an impressive display of the Rodman type gun of the US Army during and after the American Civil War.
10-Inch Rodman and 8-Inch Rodman Rifle Conversions at Fort Monroe
Three 10-Inch Rodmans (two of which were converted to 8-Inch Rifles after the Civil War) are displayed at Fort Monroe in Virginia.
The Lincoln Gun - Prototype 15-Inch Rodman at Fort Monroe
The “Lincoln Gun”, the prototype 15-Inch Rodman gun is preserved at Fort Monroe in Virginia.
10-Inch Model 1844 Columbiad, Banded and Rifled, at Fort Sumter
A 10-Inch Columbiad Model 1844 which was banded and rifled by the Confederates is displayed at Fort Sumter.
10-Inch Confederate Columbiads at Fort Moultrie
Four 10-Inch Confederate Columbiads are on display at Fort Moultrie near Chareston, South Carolina. US Army 10-Inch Rodman guns are also present allowing the visitor to compare the two types.
8-Inch Columbiad, Model 1857, at Fort Moultrie
An 8-Inch Columbiad, Model of 1857, which was banded and rifled by the Confederates is displayed at Fort Moultrie near Charleston, South Carolina. This rare cannon is one of only two or three of the type still in existence.