Making the Earth Tremble Wayside

This wayside provides an overview of the immense firepower of the 18-pounder siege cannons.

NPS Photo

Quick Facts

Location:

Brownsville, TX

Main Text 

Here on the road to Matamoros stood the two most powerful cannon used at Palo Alto by either army. These siege cannon, intended for eventual installation inside the new U.S. fort near Matamoros, fired cannon balls that weighed 18 pounds. Their weight was so great- each iron barrel alone weighed more than 4,700 pounds that these guns could not be safely taken off the road onto the grassy prairie during the battle.

The exploding shot and shell from these guns inflicted heavy losses in the Mexican regiments. The foot soldiers of the two armies never moved close enough to engage in hand-to-hand combat.

Quote Text

...when the first (siege gun) fired it made  such a loud report that our men gave a spontaneous shout, which seemed to inspire us with renewed confidence… ~ Charles M. Reeves, corporal, 4th Infantry Regiment

…two of [our cannon] were 18 pounders requiring six yokes of oxen to haul them. These giant guns almost make the earth tremble and cut the Mexicans down in heaps. ~ Robert Hazlett, 2nd lieutenant, 3rd Infantry Regiment

Sub Text

The two 18 pounders had a longer range than either the Mexican cannon three-quarters of a mile away or the other U.S. guns employed here.

Image Description

Center & Background
Historical depiction of two U.S. Army 18-pounder artillery crews in action.