Research Type
Donor/Source InformationPerson
Kenny KingDate
Jul 17, 2021Notes
That cannonball was found in White's Trace branch at a house site near
the foot of the mountain. The house was likely abandoned during the
fighting since this area was definitely occupied by the union miners.
There were a lot of spent cartridges found there too, most likely from
the battle.The brass US insignia was found there too. (in email to Slifer)Research Type
CuratorPerson
Shaun SliferDate
Jul 20, 2021Notes
Closest standardized diameter for solid shot that Union Army produced was a 2.84" ball at 3.05 lbs. My current assumption is that this ball matches that description, taking into account some surface loss from degradation while buried in the soil.
William C. Blizzard owned a cannon (now owned by historian/author Wess Harris) which may correspond to this shot. Some references to a cannon in the 1921 battle are to a "Hotchkiss", a manufacturer that did produce a 3-inch (76 mm) cannon/mountain gun. I suspect the gun could also have been a 3-inch ordnance rifle (model 1861).
