Ridgeway Civil War Research Center, A virtual examination of artifacts of the American Civil War
	Civil War Artillery
	by Harry Ridgeway

Research Center: Artillery1212-Ball12pdr

Smoothbore artillery projectile, spherical ball, solid shot, smoothbore 12 pounder, 4.62in. Projectile was intended for the smoothbore 12 pounder "Napoleon", solid shot were generally fired against enemy cannon. Both sides cast solid 12 pounders, there is no sure way to tell which side manufactured it, both have mold seams. Originally the ball used a wood cup sabot attached to the ball with straps, on firing the straps would break releasing the ball. Projectile measures: diameter 4.52 in., weight 12lbs. Research Center: Artillery1212-Ball12pdr, Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 34. Details click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery1212-Ball12pdr.html.

A0681.1...Smoothbore artillery projectile, spherical ball, solid shot, smoothbore 12 pounder, 4.62in., Baker house, Winchester Virginia. Projectile was intended for the smoothbore 12 pounder "Napoleon", solid shot were generally fired against enemy cannon. Both sides cast solid 12 pounders, there is no sure way to tell which side manufactured it, both have mold seams. Originally the ball used a wood cup sabot attached to the ball with straps, on firing the straps would break releasing the ball. Projectile measures: diameter 4.52 in., weight 12lbs. Projectile is disarmed, casting is solid iron. Recovered: Baker House, Third Battle of Winchester, by Ray Morrison. The Baker house was a well known landmark because it had a cannon ball lodged in the side of the building that was visible to passerbys. The house was demolished in the 1970's. Mr Morrison claimed that this is the ball that was lodged in the house, however it is noted that several cannon balls were recovered from the site. He claimed that he got it from the construction crew by convincing them that it was live and he would take care of it! Now there is only a shopping center at the site. Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 34. Old Court House Civil War Museum, Winchester, Virginia

A0682...Smoothbore artillery projectile, spherical ball, solid shot, smoothbore 12 pounder, 4.62in., three cannon balls from Cedar Creek. Projectile was intended for the smoothbore 12 pounder "Napoleon", solid shot were generally fired against enemy cannon. Both sides cast solid 12 pounders, there is no sure way to tell which side manufactured it, both have mold seams. Originally the ball used a wood cup sabot attached to the ball with straps, on firing the straps would break releasing the ball. Projectile measures: diameter 4.52 in., weight 12lbs. These three balls were recovered together, manufacture is crude, these are likely Confederate manufacture. Projectile is disarmed, casting is solid iron. Recovered from the Confederate position on the Stickley farm at the 1864 Battle of Cedar Creek, where the Confederate artillery covered the retreat. Although most of the troops were able to escape across Cedar Creek, none of the guns made it.Courtesy of Mike Foreman. Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 34. Old Court House Civil War Museum, Winchester, Virginia.

A2041...Smoothbore artillery projectile, spherical ball, solid shot, smoothbore 12 pounder, 4.62in. Projectile was intended for the smoothbore 12 pounder "Napoleon", solid shot were generally fired against enemy cannon. Both sides cast solid 12 pounders, there is no sure way to tell which side manufactured it, both have mold seams. Originally the ball used a wood cup sabot attached to the ball with straps, on firing the straps would break releasing the ball. Projectile measures: diameter 4.52 in., weight 12lbs. Projectile is disarmed, casting is solid iron. Recovered: Port Hudson, Louisiana. Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 34.

A2247...Smoothbore artillery projectile, spherical ball, solid shot, smoothbore 12 pounder, 4.62in. Projectile was intended for the smoothbore 12 pounder "Napoleon", solid shot were generally fired against enemy cannon. Both sides cast solid 12 pounders, there is no sure way to tell which side manufactured it, both have mold seams. Originally the ball used a wood cup sabot attached to the ball with straps, on firing the straps would break releasing the ball. Projectile measures: diameter 4.52 in., weight 12lbs. Projectile is disarmed, casting is solid iron. Recovered: Richmond, Petersburg, Virginia campaign. Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 34.

A2472...Smoothbore artillery projectile, spherical ball, solid shot, smoothbore 12 pounder, 4.62in. Projectile was intended for the smoothbore 12 pounder "Napoleon", solid shot were generally fired against enemy cannon. Both sides cast solid 12 pounders, there is no sure way to tell which side manufactured it, both have mold seams. Originally the ball used a wood cup sabot attached to the ball with straps, on firing the straps would break releasing the ball. Projectile measures: diameter 4.52 in., weight 12lbs. Projectile is disarmed, casting is solid iron. Recovered: Richmond, Petersburg, Virginia campaign Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 34.

A2483...Smoothbore artillery projectile, spherical ball, solid shot, smoothbore 12 pounder, 4.62in. Projectile was intended for the smoothbore 12 pounder "Napoleon", solid shot were generally fired against enemy cannon. Both sides cast solid 12 pounders, there is no sure way to tell which side manufactured it, both have mold seams. Originally the ball used a wood cup sabot attached to the ball with straps, on firing the straps would break releasing the ball. Projectile measures: diameter 4.52 in., weight 12lbs. Projectile is disarmed, casting is solid iron. Recovered: Cold Harbor, Virginia Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 34.

A2488...Smoothbore artillery projectile, spherical ball, solid shot, smoothbore 12 pounder, 4.62in. Projectile was intended for the smoothbore 12 pounder "Napoleon", solid shot were generally fired against enemy cannon. Both sides cast solid 12 pounders, there is no sure way to tell which side manufactured it, both have mold seams. Originally the ball used a wood cup sabot attached to the ball with straps, on firing the straps would break releasing the ball. Projectile measures: diameter 4.52 in., weight 12lbs. Projectile is disarmed, casting is solid iron. Recovered: Bermuda Hundred, Virginia. Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 34.

A2521...Smoothbore artillery projectile, spherical ball, solid shot, smoothbore 12 pounder, 4.62in. Projectile was intended for the smoothbore 12 pounder "Napoleon", solid shot were generally fired against enemy cannon. Both sides cast solid 12 pounders, there is no sure way to tell which side manufactured it, both have mold seams. Originally the ball used a wood cup sabot attached to the ball with straps, on firing the straps would break releasing the ball. Projectile measures: diameter 4.52 in., weight 12lbs. Projectile is disarmed, casting is solid iron. Recovered: Virginia campaign. Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 34.

A2558...Smoothbore artillery projectile, spherical ball, solid shot, smoothbore 12 pounder, 4.62in. Projectile was intended for the smoothbore 12 pounder "Napoleon", solid shot were generally fired against enemy cannon. Both sides cast solid 12 pounders, there is no sure way to tell which side manufactured it, both have mold seams. Originally the ball used a wood cup sabot attached to the ball with straps, on firing the straps would break releasing the ball. Projectile measures: diameter 4.52 in., weight 12lbs. Projectile is disarmed, casting is solid iron. Recovered: not known Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 34.

A2560...Smoothbore artillery projectile, spherical ball, solid shot, smoothbore 12 pounder, 4.62in. Projectile was intended for the smoothbore 12 pounder "Napoleon", solid shot were generally fired against enemy cannon. Both sides cast solid 12 pounders, there is no sure way to tell which side manufactured it, both have mold seams. Originally the ball used a wood cup sabot attached to the ball with straps, on firing the straps would break releasing the ball. Projectile measures: diameter 4.52 in., weight 12lbs. Projectile is disarmed, casting is solid iron. Recovered: not known. Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 34.

A2756...Smoothbore artillery projectile, spherical ball, solid shot, smoothbore 12 pounder, 4.62in. Projectile was intended for the smoothbore 12 pounder "Napoleon", solid shot were generally fired against enemy cannon. Both sides cast solid 12 pounders, there is no sure way to tell which side manufactured it, both have mold seams. Originally the ball used a wood cup sabot attached to the ball with straps, on firing the straps would break releasing the ball. Projectile measures: diameter 4.52 in., weight 12lbs,. Projectile is disarmed, casting is solid iron. Recovered: not known Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 34.

A2759...Smoothbore artillery projectile, spherical ball, solid shot, smoothbore 12 pounder, 4.62in. Projectile was intended for the smoothbore 12 pounder "Napoleon", solid shot were generally fired against enemy cannon. Both sides cast solid 12 pounders, there is no sure way to tell which side manufactured it, both have mold seams. Originally the ball used a wood cup sabot attached to the ball with straps, on firing the straps would break releasing the ball. Projectile measures: diameter 4.52 in., weight 12lbs,. Projectile is disarmed, casting is solid iron. Recovered: not known. Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 34.

A2794...Smoothbore artillery projectile, spherical ball, solid shot, smoothbore 12 pounder, 4.62in. Projectile was intended for the smoothbore 12 pounder "Napoleon", solid shot were generally fired against enemy cannon. Both sides cast solid 12 pounders, there is no sure way to tell which side manufactured it, both have mold seams. Originally the ball used a wood cup sabot attached to the ball with straps, on firing the straps would break releasing the ball. Projectile measures: diameter 4.52 in., weight 12lbs. Projectile is disarmed, casting is solid iron. Recovered: not known Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 34.

A2856...Smoothbore artillery projectile, spherical ball, solid shot, smoothbore 12 pounder, 4.62in. Projectile was intended for the smoothbore 12 pounder "Napoleon", solid shot were generally fired against enemy cannon. Both sides cast solid 12 pounders, there is no sure way to tell which side manufactured it, both have mold seams. Originally the ball used a wood cup sabot attached to the ball with straps, on firing the straps would break releasing the ball. Projectile measures: diameter 4.52 in., weight 12lbs. Projectile is disarmed, casting is solid iron. Recovered: not known. Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 34.

A2866...Smoothbore artillery projectile, spherical ball, solid shot, smoothbore 12 pounder, 4.62in. Projectile was intended for the smoothbore 12 pounder "Napoleon", solid shot were generally fired against enemy cannon. Both sides cast solid 12 pounders, there is no sure way to tell which side manufactured it, both have mold seams. Originally the ball used a wood cup sabot attached to the ball with straps, on firing the straps would break releasing the ball. Projectile measures: diameter 4.52 in., weight 12lbs. Projectile is disarmed, casting is solid iron. Recovered: Richmond Petersburg, Virginia campaign. Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 34.

A3026...Smoothbore artillery projectile, spherical ball, solid shot, smoothbore 12 pounder, 4.62in. Projectile was intended for the smoothbore 12 pounder "Napoleon", solid shot were generally fired against enemy cannon. Both sides cast solid 12 pounders, there is no sure way to tell which side manufactured it, both have mold seams. Originally the ball used a wood cup sabot attached to the ball with straps, on firing the straps would break releasing the ball. Projectile measures: diameter 4.52 in., weight 12lbs. Projectile is disarmed, casting is solid iron. Recovered: Sharpsburg Maryland, by Mr. Ford, a Maryland relic hunter. Ref: Dickey & George, Field Artillery (1993 Edition), pg. 34.

This is the "Ridgeway Civil War Research Center", a research tool for educational purposes only, and is provided at no cost to the reader. Some of the relics listed are retained in the author's collection, most reside in other collections and are not owned by the author. None of the items listed in this section are for sale, please refer to relicman.com sales listings for items offered for sale. This is a work in progress, I list items as I get to them, there are many patterns that are not listed yet, this list will be regularly updated as I get pictures and descriptions for more items. I will also correct mistakes, so if you see any please tell me. All items listed are believed to be authentic to the Civil War or as otherwise described. This information is available for research purposes, pictures may be used by permission only.
All excavated artifacts have been recovered from private property with owner's permission.
All projectiles listed have been disarmed.

Most information on this page is from:
Field Artillery Projectiles of the American Civil War, 1993 Edition. by Thomas S. Dickey and Peter C. George.
Civil War Heavy Explosive Ordnance, A Guide to Large Artillery Prjectiles, Torpedoes, and Mines, by Jack Bell.
Artillery Fuses of the Civil War, by Charles H. Jones.
Pictures are by the author, unless otherwise indicated.

Ridgeway Civil War Research Center, A virtual examination of artifacts of the American Civil War. Artillery Research center, artillery, click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery0000-Index.html. Research center, artillery, click: http://relicman.com/artillery/Artillery0000-Index.html.

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