The attached photo is not of a recent find but a find that is documented in the official records (CSA Major J.L. Brents report of April 14, 1864)"Daniels Battery had to leave a gun and a howitzer in the hands of the enemy because the linchpins from the wheels were lost". Another account of the linchpins was written three days after the Battle of Pleasant Hill by C.S. Lt. J.J. Wilson" The enemy was 300 yards from us and we were exposed to a heavy fire of artillery. Jim Wright had command of the two howitzer pieces and I the two rifle guns and at the first shot we fired we had a wheel come off. In running through the woods the bushes pulled out the linchpins. I had to leave one of my guns on the field and Jim Wright had to leave one of his".These two cannons were the only two that the Confederacy lost at the Battle of Pleasant Hill. After finding the first linchpin I concentrated on this area for over a year and eventually found two more along with the items in the bottom right of photo which I think came off of a limber or the ammo wagon.The small cable wire that looped over on the linchpins was missing on all and was probably the reason they came out. Over the years I dug nearly 200 artillery shells from the ultra rare to the most common and while most would eventually reside in Chuck Jones, EMike, Mc Anneny's and state museum collections, I hung on to the linchpins. I realize this is a projectile forum but thought some one would enjoy reading this as it does relate to artillery. If anyone wants a copy of the three page article, pm me and I will send N/C. coonboy
