Fort Sanders

[Randy1944]

I am interested in finding out what size of artillery would have been used in this battle. What size of cannons specifically by both sides.

 

[lelliott19]

Hi Randy. You might try this thread which may have some information that will assist in determining what artillery was used.

In their words: The Assault on Fort Sanders Knoxville November 29, 1863 | South & Western Theaters

Captain Wyatt R. McClain, Company A, 51st Georgia, Bryan's Brigade Commanding 51st Georgia, Bryan's Brigade, McLaws' Division, Longstreet's Corps. "...With a gallantry unsurpassed, and an enthusiasm which should have met a better fate, the Regiment rushed through an almost impenetrable abattis...

civilwartalk.com

 

[Randy1944]

Thank you for your suggestion. I just finished reading it and it was very rewarding. I live close to Knoxville and find this battle very interesting. Thanks again.

 

[redbob]

One of the biggest problems with Fort Sanders is attempting to determine where on that hillside full of homes, apartments, a fire station, commercial structures and a hospital that it exactly was. Not one of Longstreet's better moments.

 

[Randy1944]

It is hard to look at the place now and imagine just what, where, and how it looked during that time. I have been in and out of Ft. Sanders Hospital way to many times to count. That whole area is very interesting. I forgot about the Children's Hospital being there as well. I still haven't located info on the artillery used during the battle.

 

[Buckeye Bill]

 

[lelliott19]

According to William Frederick Wieland, Bugler & Orderly to Captain John Edwards of Battery L, 3rd US Artillery, the US artillery in Fort Sanders was composed of Battery L&M, 3d US Arty; Benjamin's Battery; Berkeley's battery; and one section of "some other volunteer battery."
L&M 3rd US Artillery; Edward's Battery had six matched 10-pound Parrott Rifles Source
E 2nd US Artillery; Benjamin's Battery had four 20-pound Parrotts Source
34th Independent Battery NY Artillery aka L 2nd NY(?) Artillery comm'd by Maj Roemer had four 3-inch ordnance rifles Source
I'm sorry but I don't have any idea what the others had. Maybe someone else will come along who knows?

The National Tribune., July 07, 1892, page 4.

 

[redbob]

According to William Frederick Wieland, Bugler & Orderly to Captain John Edwards of Battery L, 3rd US Artillery, the participating artillery was: Battery L&M, 3d US Arty; Benjamin's Battery, Berkeley's battery, and one section of "some other volunteer battery."
L&M 3rd US Artillery; Edward's Battery had six matched 10-pound Parrott Rifles Source
E 2nd US Artillery; Benjamin's Battery had four 20-pound Parrotts Source
34th Independent Battery NY Artillery aka L 2nd NY(?) Artillery comm'd by Maj Roemer had four 3-inch ordnance rifles Source
I'm sorry but I don't have any idea what the others had. Maybe someone else will come along who knows?
View attachment 358098
The National Tribune., July 07, 1892, page 4.

That would make sense as there really wasn't much of a need for heavy artillery (over 20 #ers) at this location, also I doubt that the Confederates were able to bring up anything heavier than field artillery.

 

[Randy1944]

Correct. Ladders would have been very valuable tho.

 

[Rhea Cole]

The man posing atop the wall gives scale to Fort Sanders.

Fort Sanders, Library of Congress
The artillery embrasure left of center would have allowed fire along the face of the wall & into the ditch.
Once someone got into the ditch, by design it was hellishly difficult to get out.
It helps explain the extraordinarily lopsided Confederate loss of 813 casualties vs Federal loss of 20 men inside the fort & another 30 killed by artillery outside the fort.

Confederate attack on Fort Sanders, Library of Congress

These images will help fill in the mental image of what Fort Sanders looked like. The stumps had telegraph wires strung between them. The walls had been soaked with water & were sheets of ice. Attackers who made it into the ditch found themselves in an impossible position. A forlorn hope did make it up the bank, but made made no lodgment.

Engineers Orlando Poe & Orville Babcock, northwest bastion of Fort Sanders. Library of Congress
Confederate attacker's view of the fort. Note man standing in same position of image above.

<ironbrigader.com> Lieutenant Benjamin's Report on the Union Artillery at the Battle of Fort Sanders
Report contains a detailed account of the artillery of both sides.

Longstreet 14,000 men & 35 cannons. Burnside 12,000 men & 51 cannon.​

 

[Rhea Cole]

That would make sense as there really wasn't much of a need for heavy artillery (over 20 #ers) at this location, also I doubt that the Confederates were able to bring up anything heavier than field artillery.

Perhaps uniquely, Longstreet's artillery was pulled by oxen due to a lack of horses. That must have been something to see.

 

[Buckeye Bill]

 

[Lampasas Bill]

E. P. Alexander, who commanded the Confederate artillery, planned an artillery preparation which included howitzers mounted to fire as mortars. At the last minute he was informed that there would be no bombardment since the fort was to be taken by surprise. He was tasked to fire several rounds to signal the infantry to advance, which he complained would alert the Federals to the "surprise." Once the attack began he did order a harassing fire to the area behind the fort to hinder Federal reinforcements.

 

[Randy1944]

I'm still looking for information on 24# Howitzer at Ft. Sanders. Benjamin's report to Burnside shed no light. The attached picture is of cannonball recovered at Fort Sanders in the 1930's by Ray Denton. It measures 5 5/8" in diameter and weighed 23 pounds and 14 pounces at my Post Office. Information welcome. Thanks

 

[lelliott19]

I'm still looking for information on 24# Howitzer at Ft. Sanders.

Ahhhh. Sorry about that. I was only providing information on the canon that were located at Fort Sanders - Union artillery. I didn't realize you were looking for the source of a projectile found at Fort Sanders. Moody's Battery aka Madison Light Artillery (Louisiana) Battery (of Alexander's battalion) was at Knoxville and they had four bronze Austrian 24-pounder howitzers. Captain George V. Moody was left behind sick on December 4, 1863 on the retreat from Knoxville. He was captured December 5, 1864 and sent to Camp Chase on January 19, 1864. His brother must have been successful in effecting his parole [see article below], because he was forwarded to Fort Monroe for exchange March 29, 1864. He was afterward captured again May 10, 1865 at Irwinville GA while travelling as part of Jeff Davis' escort; imprisoned at Fort McHenry; and released July 14, 1865.

 

[Randy1944]

lelliott19, You have really been helpful in answering my questions. It is really good to be able to have this information regarding my cannonball. I have looked and searched and have had some mild success but nothing close to the information you furnished. Really impressive. Thank you.

 

[51st Georgia]

My GG Grandfather was in the 51st Georgia and was captured in this assault.

 

[lelliott19]

According to William Frederick Wieland, Bugler & Orderly to Captain John Edwards of Battery L, 3rd US Artillery, the US artillery in Fort Sanders was composed of Battery L&M, 3d US Arty; Benjamin's Battery; Berkeley's battery; and one section of "some other volunteer battery."
L&M 3rd US Artillery; Edward's Battery had six matched 10-pound Parrott Rifles Source
E 2nd US Artillery; Benjamin's Battery had four 20-pound Parrotts Source
34th Independent Battery NY Artillery aka L 2nd NY(?) Artillery comm'd by Maj Roemer had four 3-inch ordnance rifles Source
I'm sorry but I don't have any idea what the others had. Maybe someone else will come along who knows?
View attachment 358098
The National Tribune., July 07, 1892, page 4.

UPDATED with additional information:
L&M 3rd US Artillery; Edward's Battery had six matched 10-pound Parrott Rifles Source
E 2nd US Artillery; Benjamin's Battery had four 20-pound Parrotts Source
34th Independent Battery NY Artillery aka old L 2nd NY Heavy Artillery comm'd by Maj Jacob Roemer had four 3-inch ordnance rifles Source
D 1st Rhode Island Light Artillery aka Buckley's Battery was composed of six 12 pounder Napoleons "light twelves" Source page 295 Source page 351
15th Battery Indiana Light Artillery aka John C H Von Sehlen's Battery had three guns - no idea what type