A very important weapon in the Siege of the Alamo, Travis ordered his men to fire the 18-Pounder Cannon from the southwest corner of the Alamo as a response to the Mexican encampment and General Santa Anna’s offer to surrender. Unfortunately, the 18-pounder was taken off its carriage and disabled by the Mexican Army like it happened with other several cannons, this important one was lost in history.
The replica of this cannon is displayed at the southwest corner of the Alamo, a free exhibit to the public.
The cannon was cast in Sweden and brought to the country, it came to Texas via New Orleans aboard the Columbus and was offloaded at Dimmit’s Landing. It was delivered to San Antonio in December 1835, a carriage was constructed since there was a lack of it, which was then placed in the southwest corner of the Alamo fort.
After the battle the cannon was taken off the carriage, muzzle was spiked, trunnions and cascabel were broken, as a final result it was buried it nearby defensive trench. For 1858 the U.S. Army rediscovered the 18-Pounder which was moved nearby the San Pedro Springs but in 1917 the cannon disappeared from its pedestal, which meant a lost for the history.
For 2020, the idea of reconstructing the 18-Pounder cannon and carriage came up by the Alamo Collections and Research Team. The reconstructed cannon at least gives the people a hint of the lost masterpiece cannon that disappeared.
Texas revolution took long way but brought them to the evolution of today. Every artifact from that period of time is valuable, and tells the story of the revolution. All of them are pieces in the puzzle of history, which is the reason we in San Antonio give valuable time and appreciation to them during this month.
Come to see it! I can guarantee it is going to be fun for all of you. And there is much you can learn from your visit, not only about the cannon but the whole story that made every single artifact so important. The Independence!
