This is a 12 pound solid shot cannonball recovered from the Fort Blakely, Alabama area during the 1960's. The shot measures 4.55" in diameter and weighs 12.2 pounds. It was preserved long ago to stop the aging process and is in very "solid" condition. Couldn't resist that one! These shells were fired by 12 pound smoothbore cannon, and were meant to reduce fortifications, structures and shipping. The battle of Ft Blakely took place from April 2 thru April 9, 1865 during the Mobile campaign. The Union 13th and 16th Corps, commanded by Major General Edward Canby, moved along the eastern shore of Mobile Bay and forced the Confederate forces back into their prepared defenses. The 4000 Confederate soldiers, under the command of Brigadier General St. John R. Liddell, were able to hold out against overwhelming odds until the adjacent Spanish Fort fell on April 8. On April 9 16,000 Union soldiers assaulted and overwhelmed Ft Blakely, capturing Liddell and his command. It was the last combined force battle of the war, and is considered to be the last major battle of the war. Here's an opportunity to own a relic from the last major battle to close the American Civil War.

Item # AA897

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