The twelve-pound cannon is a cannon that fires twelve-pound projectiles from its barrel, as well as grapeshot, chainshot, shrapnel, and later shells and canister shot.[1] It was first used during the Tudor period[2] and reached its production top in the Napoleonic wars (1812–1815). It was a favorite weapon of the Grande Armée; these muzzle-loading smoothbore 12-pounders were later known as Napoleon cannons in honor of the French emperor, himself a former artillery officer.
In addition 12-pounders were carried on the quarterdeck of British Ships of the line like HMS Victory though their main weapons were the larger 24 and 32 pound cannon, capable of shattering the hulls of enemy warships and killing the gun crews with a deadly shower of splinters.[3]
Another notable 12-pounder was the 4.62 caliber brass Mountain Howitzer, a 53in long cannon capable of being disassembled and carried by pack horses.[4] It was introduced to the US military in 1837 and known as the M1841.[5] During the Mexican War Lieutenant Ulysses S. Grant placed a howitzer in the belfry of a church and used it to shoot at Mexican forces defending Mexico City.[6]
In 1853, France introduced the Canon-obusier de 12, a 12-pounder capable of using either shells, shot or canisters. Napoleon cannon remained in service during the Victorian period,[7] seeing action in the American Civil War.[8] By this time the Parrott rifle and newer, more powerful Columbiads like the Rodman gun were being introduced. These fired shells and shot that weighed between 10 and 300 pounds[9] though the Napoleons remained the most common field guns in Confederate hands.[10]
Later 12 pound cannons included the breechloading RBL 12 pounder 8 cwt Armstrong gun introduced in 1859,[11] Joseph Whitworth's field guns and the boat howitzers invented by John A. Dahlgren and used by the Federal navy during the Civil War.[12]