Old Sacramento

[h4198]

Old Sacramento
The cannon fired at Hickory Point, Jefferson county has a very interesting history. It was captured, along with several other cannons in the Mexican war of 1847. Col. Doniphan and his American troops captured it at the battle of Sacramento near Chihuahua, Mexico. It was brought to Missouri via the Gulf of Mexico, the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. Some of the cannons were stored in Liberty, Missouri, the home of Col. Doniphan. When war between pro slavery and anti slavery forces from Missouri and Kansas started, some Missouri Border Ruffians raided the storage, removing some rifles and the cannon Old Sacramento. The Border Ruffians had established several forts around Lawrence, Kansas , that hot bed of Abolitionist, in order to try to cut off supplies to the City. The three forts were Saunders, Franklin and Titus. The Ruffians installed Old Sacramento at Fort Franklin. On August 12, 1856 Fort Franklin was the first to feel the wrath Jim Lane and his anti slavery militia. After a 3 hour battle the ruffians fled the fort when a fire was started. The cannon they left behind,

 

[threepdr]

Here is a picture of "Old Sacramento" during its glory days in 1856. Looks like about a 4 pounder.

 

[h4198]

threepdr, that is a better picture of Old Sacramento then I have, thanks for posting it. Last Friday I was privileged to participate in the reenactment of the Battle of Hickory Point, at Oskalossa, Kansas. Afraid my little 1" bore BP cannon was a poor substitute for Old Sacramento. I think the 300 or so school kids and adults that attended, were duly impressed with the noise, smoke and stink, from the little cannon. h4198

 

[h4198]

You can see the remains of Old Sacramento at http://www.watkinsmuseum.org/Story/story11.htm