Cannon in river

[bluehunter1973]

In June of 1863 Joseph Wheeler's Cavalry was camped in Shelbyville Tn during the battle of Hoovers Gap. When the Yankees broke the line. The confederates retreated across the Duck River under heavy fire. While crossing the bridge they threw a cannon over the side where it said to still be in mud. Most of the confederates were so choked up trying to cross the bridge a lot had to jump in the rain swollen river. Even Joseph Wheeler and his cavalry had to plunge 15 feet off the bank on horse back.
I live less than a mile from this spot and its all housing accept for other side of river. I wonder if it would be legal to recover cannon. The old bridge is gone and a new bridge sits 50 yards down stream. You can see the other bridges supports. Has anybody hunted this spot or know anything else? Have to be a ton of relics in river.

 

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[Hutch911]

I'm sure if that was that well documented it has been pounded. But you never know look down stream from the old bridge stuff tends to was down.

 

[bluehunter1973]

I dont think it could be pounded very easy except for the top of the bluff. Its a straight dropoff. dont know how deep their fixing the other bridge right now so you really cant get in there. Its extremely difficult to even get to without a boat.

 

[Tnmountains]

How deep is it? You might take a boat or canoe on the Duck and use a strong magnet on a long extendable paint pole or something and probe for it. Even a sharp metal tip will show you the outline. I would check it for sure as you never know. You find it say nothing and think recovery. JMHO : ) Once loose from the mud things move easier under water.

 

[austin]

Never know unless you try...

 

[bluehunter1973]

I have had that thought a few times my concern is if the TVA sticks their nose in it or the city of Shelbyville. I dont remind recovering it for the town for local history but I dont want the feds to be involved

 

[Hutch911]

If TN is like anything like VA then it has been hit. Some people will do about anything to find relics. tresspass, sneak in at night. I have heard of people spying on others digging with bino's in the woods then go behind them and dig there spots out. good luck hope you find it! Heck I had a guy stop and talk to me and then showed up the next weekend with a truck full of people pounding a spot I have dug for years and only had a few other there over 5 years of digging that spot now lucky to find a bullet.

 

[soky72]

Id say its a lost cause. Supposedly theres one in our local river and a friend of mine has laid hands on it. There is historical documentation that some fell into the river from a pontoon bridge there but I also know that one was pulled from the river by local officials in 1942 for metal for the war drive. My friends have researched it and they claim this cannon weighs in at around 1100 pounds with a slight bit of the back sticking out of the mud. They claim the government could claim it if they find out about it. I dont know if the claim is through the Corp of Engineers for archaeological purposes or just that its technically a piece that belongs to the government. If we have another drought this summer I am going to try and get some underwater shots of it, IF it does exist.

In June of 1863 Joseph Wheeler's Cavalry was camped in Shelbyville Tn during the battle of Hoovers Gap. When the Yankees broke the line. The confederates retreated across the Duck River under heavy fire. While crossing the bridge they threw a cannon over the side where it said to still be in mud. Most of the confederates were so choked up trying to cross the bridge a lot had to jump in the rain swollen river. Even Joseph Wheeler and his cavalry had to plunge 15 feet off the bank on horse back.
I live less than a mile from this spot and its all housing accept for other side of river. I wonder if it would be legal to recover cannon. The old bridge is gone and a new bridge sits 50 yards down stream. You can see the other bridges supports. Has anybody hunted this spot or know anything else? Have to be a ton of relics in river.

 

[rebelfirefighter07]

There is supposed to be one sticking out of the mud in the river south of Resac, Ga. I've talked with people who have said they have seen some of it during bad droughts.

 

[H-2 CHARLIE]

A letter to the city to help dig it up and put it in the town center for display .

 

[pong12211]

Only way to know for sure is to go look for yourself in my opinion.. Best of luck..

 

[HutSiteDigger]

The cannon is all yours if you didnt find it on any state/national park. If the cannon is @ the bottom of the river over 150+ years it would more of less be 2-3 feet in the mud.

 

[smokeythecat]

If found, it will be a huge accomplishment to get it out of the water. Probably have to use something like a tow truck or crane to get it out.