RESTORATION PROJECT: Requesting donations to have a historical 3 pounder cannon restored at Lake Champlain Maritime Museum.
The Historical cannon named the “Swamp Angles” was a complicated provenance history to solve. Given to the City of Milford by the Great Showman PT Barnum who collected historical cannons that were used as part of his shows.
The name “Swamp Angles” referred to the history of the cannon being used with Perry on the great lakes in the 1812 War. One of the bloodiest US Naval engagements took place on the lakes where many free African American and Kentucky Riflemen patriots who lost their lives. Were committed to the Lake after the Battle of Lake Erie.
Historians who I have spoke to from Detroit haved documented the name origins “Swamp Angle’s” did refer to the bodies committed to the Lake, but some of the brave sould bodies did wash up on the shores around the lakes tributeries. The 2nd documented history that was well documented by the Kentucky National Guard Historian was that there was the famous battle “River Raisin”. Where Perry’s ships were documented not having any 3lbs cannon. Except for where the bloody bloody massacre took place on the River Raisin. The Swamp Angle’s is a relic from this history that is commemorating the men who gave thier lives on the great lakes in the fight from freedom in the War of 1812.
Today, the cannon is in a sad state, placed in the ground 30 plus years ago. Reason that the cannon would not be taken by collectors. Today it sits accross the street from the Milford Green on a street corner thats to close to traffic.
What you see is not a pretty sight, first thoughts is it was painted green and a cone thrown on top for some Holloween joke. But, no! This is to prevent cars from running the relic over. Now Im putting up the insurance money to dig it out. Request being made to the City Public Works to pull it out and send it to Vermont for restoration.
WHATS EVEN MORE SPECIAL: The famous Civil War Bombardment of Charleston, SC. was boombed by the famous cannon called the Swamp Angle by Gilmore(Scottish Iron Industry Connection in USA”. The famous all black American regiment who fought in Charelston, SC. was the 54th named the “Swamp Angles” and todays 54th does not even know where the name originated!
Special notes here, PT. Barnum was famous for massive propaganda in the Civil War against the South with the burning of Charleston with cannon incendiary rounds. Confederate spys took revenge with a plot to burn NYC with the same Greek Fire that burned Charelston to the ground. They chose Pt. Barnums Museum and ironic because there was a small cannon like this one he gave to Milford that survived the blaze.
The truth is that this cannon teaches cannon history than another cannon in US history from the iron industry on the great lakes with the foundery that made the Civil War gun and families directly associated to being on Perry’s ships and who served at the River Raisin. Linking 1812 War history with Civil War Cannon manufacturing as well! Not to say that the cannon design indicates it was made during the American Revolution. Note that few authentic American cannons that are iron, have even been identifed in US History! The added history states this cannon was maybe at one used at the Battle of Stony Point, NY.
Any one wishing to help out! Please contact me on the blog. The cannon will cost $5k for conservation and I have a large historical marble stone it will be mounted too!
American Relic Hysteries 