Gonzalez Cannon (Come & Take it!)

**4V50 Gary** · August 1, 2021, 12:53 PM

We all heard of it but I've never seen a photo yet alone a video of it.

Here's a video showing the actual cannon whose possession was contested by the locals. Skip to 4:34:

https://youtu.be/5BjBUTTkS60

Pahoo · August 1, 2021, 02:09 PM

Gary, thanks for posting this as I have seen this cannon as well. The entire area is full of historical sites and history. I guess you could say that it started at the Alamo and ended on San Jacinto Sunday. For those who have further interest, there is a book titled, Thirteen Days. Rather lengthy but great detail. My wife and I are overdue in visiting some very good friends, in Victoria. ....

Thanks again and;
Be Safe !!!

reinert · August 2, 2021, 07:49 AM

Very cool video. Just got done reading B. Kilmeade's book, "Sam Houston & The Alamo Avengers" a couple of weeks ago. Good read, and the Gonzales battle was told well in the book, along with the "Come and Take it" cannon. Thanks for the video; comes at a good time for me while the story is still rather fresh in my old noggin.

bedbugbilly · August 2, 2021, 06:08 PM

Gary -Thanks much for posting that! I know the story but had never seem the actual cannon. When we are in AZ for the winter, I often fly the flag - just to supply the message to those of the Kedt Socialists who happen to walk by. Some make nasty remarks and some ask about it - I tell them the story behind it and then tell them to go home and Google the history - many have thanked me later for telling them the history and the did go and read more about it. In a way sad . . . . I can look down our street and tell you every house where a Veteran or a Trump/Constitution Supporter lives - we all have flagpoles and fly Old Glory.

Thanks again - really enjoyed the video and seeing the "real gun". I shot 10 pound Parrott Rifles for many years and love seeing original pieces.

HighDesert · August 3, 2021, 08:23 AM

Very cool. CA just banned bacon and some gaming systems because they weren’t green enough. How far we have fallen!

Pahoo · August 3, 2021, 11:06 AM

If you find yourself in this part of the great state of Texas, be sure and visit Goliad or read about; "The Goliad Massacre". Keep in mind that during this time in this area was part of Mexico. We had to kick butt and make it Texas ....

Be Safe !!!

Seedy Character · August 8, 2021, 09:49 AM

The cannon has a quite a history. It is really small. Compared to what comes to mind when cannon is mentioned. The bore is approximately 1 1/4".

As told in the vid. The cannon was "spiked" and later reactivated or "unspiked"

When told to "Come and Take It", the Mexican Army had arrived and the cannon fired upon them. Due to enlarging the flash hole, during the reactivation, the cannon belched almost as much fire and smoke out the top as was out the front. But, it was enough to convince the Army they didn't want to confront a cannon.

A "gunsmith" headed to California told the partisans that he could repair the cannon. He wrote oyears later, in a book, how he had examined the damage done by the spike and then bearing unsoiled. He repaired that damage and made a bushing to reestablish the proper flash. Detailed drawings were put in the book.

When the call came in for reinforcements at the Alamo, a new carriage was made and the cannon mounted. The group of volunteers proceed down the King's Highway to San Antonio.

In their haste to build the carriage, the wheels were inadequately greased. At a creek crossing, the wheel bearing screaming, seized. A hole was dug in the side of the creek bed and the cannon buried. The volunteers marched in to the Alamo.

Jump forward to 1919.

A torrential had fallen and water roared down the creek. A mail carrier, on his route, comes to the creek crossing and sees something sticking out of the mud bank. He goes to investigate and finds the barrel. The wooden carriage long since rotted away.
He digs it out. Thinks it is cool. Puts it in his mail car ( Model T, most likely ) and continues his route.

The barrel changed hands, a couple times and around 1936 ended up in possession of a 12 yo boy. A Dr had seen the cannon and wanted it for a display. He made the boy several offers, finally getting to one the 12 yo could not refuse.

The Dr was examining his "new toy" and discovered the bushing and repair. Having read "gunsmith's book, he began to get excited.

He loaded up and went to Univ of Texas, History Dept and asked them to examine. He gave no provenance or hinted to his beliefs.

The UT examined, cleaned, X-rays, and documented. The asked the Dr for what he knew about where the cannon found.
Finally, issuing their findings.
The metalurgy and style was period correct. The bushing and repair was identical to the drawings and description in 'smith's book. The location of where the cannon was found. They were convinced that this IS the Come and Take It cannon.

The Dr had a replica carriage built and asked the Gonzalez Museum if they would like to display the cannon.

"This is the story is the truth, I have been told, by a friend that grew up in Gonzalez and his Father was friend to the Dr. Other versions may vary"

**Aguila Blanca** · August 8, 2021, 01:49 PM

There is considerable debate as to whether or not the cannon on display is the real cannon. The Gonzalez cannon was a six pounder, and that golf ball shooter is NOT a six pounder. A six-pounder has a bore of 3.67"

http://www.civilwarartillery.com/shottables.htm

August 1, 2021, 12:53 PM	#1
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,838	Gonzalez Cannon (Come & Take it!) We all heard of it but I've never seen a photo yet alone a video of it. Here's a video showing the actual cannon whose possession was contested by the locals. Skip to 4:34: https://youtu.be/5BjBUTTkS60 __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

August 1, 2021, 02:09 PM	#2
Pahoo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: IOWA Posts: 8,783	Great Local history Gary, thanks for posting this as I have seen this cannon as well. The entire area is full of historical sites and history. I guess you could say that it started at the Alamo and ended on San Jacinto Sunday. For those who have further interest, there is a book titled, Thirteen Days. Rather lengthy but great detail. My wife and I are overdue in visiting some very good friends, in Victoria. .... Thanks again and; Be Safe !!! __________________ 'Fundamental truths' are easy to recognize because they are verified daily through simple observation and thus, require no testing.

August 2, 2021, 06:08 PM	#4
bedbugbilly Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2009 Posts: 3,287	Gary -Thanks much for posting that! I know the story but had never seem the actual cannon. When we are in AZ for the winter, I often fly the flag - just to supply the message to those of the Kedt Socialists who happen to walk by. Some make nasty remarks and some ask about it - I tell them the story behind it and then tell them to go home and Google the history - many have thanked me later for telling them the history and the did go and read more about it. In a way sad . . . . I can look down our street and tell you every house where a Veteran or a Trump/Constitution Supporter lives - we all have flagpoles and fly Old Glory. Thanks again - really enjoyed the video and seeing the "real gun". I shot 10 pound Parrott Rifles for many years and love seeing original pieces. __________________ If a pair of '51 Navies were good enough for Billy Hickok, then a single Navy on my right hip is good enough for me . . . besides . . . I'm probably only half as good as he was anyways. Hiram's Rangers Badge #63

August 3, 2021, 11:06 AM	#6
Pahoo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: IOWA Posts: 8,783	Goliad Massacre If you find yourself in this part of the great state of Texas, be sure and visit Goliad or read about; "The Goliad Massacre". Keep in mind that during this time in this area was part of Mexico. We had to kick butt and make it Texas .... Be Safe !!! __________________ 'Fundamental truths' are easy to recognize because they are verified daily through simple observation and thus, require no testing.

August 8, 2021, 01:49 PM	#8
Aguila Blanca Staff Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 18,468	There is considerable debate as to whether or not the cannon on display is the real cannon. The Gonzalez cannon was a six pounder, and that golf ball shooter is NOT a six pounder. A six-pounder has a bore of 3.67" http://www.civilwarartillery.com/shottables.htm __________________ NRA Life Member / Certified Instructor NRA Chief RSO / CMP RSO 1911 Certified Armorer Jeepaholic

August 2, 2021, 07:49 AM	#3
reinert Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 646	Very cool video. Just got done reading B. Kilmeade's book, "Sam Houston & The Alamo Avengers" a couple of weeks ago. Good read, and the Gonzales battle was told well in the book, along with the "Come and Take it" cannon. Thanks for the video; comes at a good time for me while the story is still rather fresh in my old noggin.

August 3, 2021, 08:23 AM	#5
HighDesert Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2014 Posts: 128	Very cool. CA just banned bacon and some gaming systems because they weren’t green enough. How far we have fallen!

August 8, 2021, 09:49 AM	#7
Seedy Character Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2021 Location: SW Okla Posts: 201	The cannon has a quite a history. It is really small. Compared to what comes to mind when cannon is mentioned. The bore is approximately 1 1/4". As told in the vid. The cannon was "spiked" and later reactivated or "unspiked" When told to "Come and Take It", the Mexican Army had arrived and the cannon fired upon them. Due to enlarging the flash hole, during the reactivation, the cannon belched almost as much fire and smoke out the top as was out the front. But, it was enough to convince the Army they didn't want to confront a cannon. A "gunsmith" headed to California told the partisans that he could repair the cannon. He wrote oyears later, in a book, how he had examined the damage done by the spike and then bearing unsoiled. He repaired that damage and made a bushing to reestablish the proper flash. Detailed drawings were put in the book. When the call came in for reinforcements at the Alamo, a new carriage was made and the cannon mounted. The group of volunteers proceed down the King's Highway to San Antonio. In their haste to build the carriage, the wheels were inadequately greased. At a creek crossing, the wheel bearing screaming, seized. A hole was dug in the side of the creek bed and the cannon buried. The volunteers marched in to the Alamo. Jump forward to 1919. A torrential had fallen and water roared down the creek. A mail carrier, on his route, comes to the creek crossing and sees something sticking out of the mud bank. He goes to investigate and finds the barrel. The wooden carriage long since rotted away. He digs it out. Thinks it is cool. Puts it in his mail car ( Model T, most likely ) and continues his route. The barrel changed hands, a couple times and around 1936 ended up in possession of a 12 yo boy. A Dr had seen the cannon and wanted it for a display. He made the boy several offers, finally getting to one the 12 yo could not refuse. The Dr was examining his "new toy" and discovered the bushing and repair. Having read "gunsmith's book, he began to get excited. He loaded up and went to Univ of Texas, History Dept and asked them to examine. He gave no provenance or hinted to his beliefs. The UT examined, cleaned, X-rays, and documented. The asked the Dr for what he knew about where the cannon found. Finally, issuing their findings. The metalurgy and style was period correct. The bushing and repair was identical to the drawings and description in 'smith's book. The location of where the cannon was found. They were convinced that this IS the Come and Take It cannon. The Dr had a replica carriage built and asked the Gonzalez Museum if they would like to display the cannon. "This is the story is the truth, I have been told, by a friend that grew up in Gonzalez and his Father was friend to the Dr. Other versions may vary"