The Civil War cannon has been removed from the Veterans Triangle in the Town of Cornwall, until repairs can be made to the cannon’s decayed wooden base.
Those who have recently passed by Veterans Triangle in the Town of Cornwall may have noticed something missing. The Civil War cannon was recently removed because its wooden base had decayed. Town Historian Maryanne O’Dell is now looking to raise the $9,000 to $15,000 needed to repair the relic.
O’Dell will attend the American Legion’s November meeting to discuss the repairs and ask the post for help. O’Dell is also looking into possible grant funding.
The cannon was last fixed in 1984, but O’Dell was given the name of a company in Wisconsin that specializes in repairing historic items. She said the cast aluminum used in the repair should last more than 50 years.
During the Independence Day parade, O’Dell noticed some kids climbing on the cannon, but she believes the damage was caused by normal wear and tear. She was tipped off to the broken base when she and her husband were driving by one evening. They noticed the cannon was facing straight in the air.
O’Dell hopes the repairs will be completed by Memorial Day, but that’s contingent on how long it takes to raise the money.
History of the cannon
The Confederate cannon, a Napoleon 1857, light 12-pounder, manufactured in Boston, was captured by the Union during the Civil War. When the war was over, the confiscated cannon was brought to Washington, D.C.
Communities were then allowed to apply to the federal government for one of the cannons to be used as a monument.
Congressman Lewis Beach applied for a cannon for his hometown, but he died before the request was granted.
Congressman Thomas W. Bradley, of Walden, took up the initiative and was successful in securing the cannon for Cornwall in 1904.
The numbered cannon, is only one of 143 on the Registry of Surviving Civil War Cannons.