Memorial Cannon in Washington

During the period 1872-1916, the Federal Government donated some 12,000 Civil War era cannon to towns, civic groups and patriotic organizations (including the GAR) for use as or in conjunction with memorials. The numbers of those remaining has been estimated at less than half. They have fallen victim to the scrap metal drives of WWI and WWII, been stolen to be sold to private collectors or as scrap and a few undoubtedly found their way to the town dump.  Of the fifteen cannon donated within the State of Washington, one is unaccounted for. The other fourteen are listed below.

1. 12 lb Bronze Mountain Howitzer, SN: 625, 221 lbs, Made 1855, CA&Co, Boston. Stored inside at the Camp Murray Museum. Has been wire brushed to high polish. Carriage being renovated. Verified 5 Apr 99.

2. 5 pound Iron Gun Pattern 1834, Columbia Foundry. On display inside at the Ft. Lewis Museum, mounted on carriage. Owned by National Park Service. Excellent condition. Verified 5 Apr 99.

3. 12 lb Bronze Mountain Howitzer. In secure storage at Ft. Lewis Museum. Cannon unavailable for viewing, but presence was verified with curator on 5 Apr 99.

4. 3 inch Ordnance Rifle, Model 1861. Phoenix Foundry. Weight 816 lbs. Modified to salute gun. On display outside at Ft. Lawton. Poor condition. Verified 15 Apr 99.

5. 12 lb Bronze Napolean. Hooper foundry. Mounted on secured carriage outside under cover at Ft. Steilacoom. Cannon and carriage in good condition. Verified 21 Mar 99.

6. 12 lb Bronze Napolean. Revere foundry. Mounted on secured carriage outside under cover at Ft. Steilacoom. Cannon and carriage in good condition. Verified 21 Mar 99.

7. 32 lb Bronze Howitzer, Model 1844. Alger foundry. 1,874 lbs. On display outside under cover in Cannon Memorial Park in Wenatchee. Good condition. Verified September 1998.

8. 12 lb Bronze Mountain Howitzer. Model 1835. Alger foundry. Located in Dayton? Not verified.

9. 12 lb Bronze Mountain Howitzer. Model 1835. Ames foundry. Located in Dayton? Not verified.

10. 9 lb Iron Insurance Gun. Alger foundry. Located in Pt. Townsend? Verified via photo, November 2002.

11. 12 lb Dahlgren Boat Gun. Located in Woodland Park, Seattle. Moved to the Coast Guard Station on Seattle's waterfront in the early 80's. Verified November 2002.

2. 12 lb Dahlgren Boat Gun. Located in Woodland Park, Seattle. Moved to the Coast Guard Station on Seattle's waterfront in the early 80's. Verified November 2002.

13. 10 in Rodman, sleeved to an 8 inch Rifle. In Pioneer Park, Walla Walla. Verified November 14, 2002 by the City of Walla Walla Parks & Recreation Department.

14. 12 lb Bronze Mountain Howitzer. Model 1836. Alger foundry. 221 lbs. Located in Yakima Valley Museum, enscribed NO. 264 CA CO. 221 LBS 1863. Verified November 14, 2002 by Mike Siebol, Curator of Collections, Yakima Valley Museum.

Those who misremember the past are pleased to repeat it as "proof". Mike Huybensz