Old Brooke cannon once defended Oven Bluff in Clarke County, Ala.

Brooke Cannon in Jackson, Alabama. 

The other day I found myself in Clarke County and happened to pass through downtown Jackson on my way to points elsewhere. As I drove down Commerce Street, a display in front of Jackson City Hall caught my eye. Not having anywhere to be in a hurry, I turned into the parking lot for a closer look.

Those of you who have seen this display before will know that it features what’s called the Brooke Cannon S-96. I’ve been wanting to get an up-close look at this old Civil War cannon for years, but had forgotten that it was on display in front of Jackson City Hall. Luckily, I happened to be looking in the right direction when I passed it the other day.

Sources say that this old cannon was designed by Confederate Navy Capt. John M. Brooke and was manufactured at the Confederate arsenal in Selma. The “S-96” in its name indicates that it was the 96^th gun made at that arsenal, which was located along Arsenal Place, off of Church Street in present-day Selma. Sources say that this type of cannon was the most powerful cannon used in the Civil War, with an impressive range of up to 2,200 yards, that is, the length of over 18 football fields.

If you take a close look at the cannon’s muzzle, you’ll see “S-96” on the face of the muzzle. The cannon’s right-side trunnion also bears the letters “CapRJ,” which are the initials of Catesby ap Roger Jones. Jones was a Confederate naval officer, who is most famous for commanding the ironclad CSS Virginia in its famous battle with the USS Monitor during the Battle of Hampton Roads in 1862.

If you walk around to the other side of the cannon and look at its left-side trunnion, you’ll see that the cannon’s weight is listed at 15,200 pounds. Roughly speaking, that’s over 7-1/2 tons. To put that in perspective, this cannon is nearly four times heavier than my pickup truck.

Sources say that this cannon was delivered to Mobile on Dec. 21, 1864. It was later moved for use at the defenses at Oven Bluff, which is located south of Jackson on the Tombigbee River. Those of you familiar with Oven Bluff will know that it’s a cliff on the east side of the Tombigbee River near the Fred T. Stimpson Community Hunting Area, not far from Clarke County’s border with Washington County.

I’ve never been to Oven Bluff, but I’ve always wanted to go there in person because my old third-great-grandfather, Thomas S. Stacey, served in Co. F of the 36^th Alabama Infantry Regiment. In May 1862, this regiment mustered at the Mount Vernon Arsenal. It remained there for about a month before being sent to help construct the defenses at Oven Bluff and Choctaw Bluff.

Sources say that another Brooke Cannon, S-95, is still located at Choctaw Bluff. This bluff is on the east side of the Alabama River in Monroe County. I’ve never been there either, but maybe one day I’ll get the chance to take a little field trip down there to see it for myself.

In the end, if you ever find yourself in downtown Jackson, take a few minutes to see the old cannon on display in front of Jackson City Hall. If you’re interested in historic displays, it’ll be well worth your time to see this large cannon up close and in person. It is truly an impressive sight.