HISTORIC CASED ARTILLERY TOOLS USED ON THE FAMOUS CIVIL WAR CANNON “SWAMP ANGEL”.

HISTORIC CASED ARTILLERY TOOLS USED ON THE FAMOUS CIVIL WAR CANNON “SWAMP ANGEL”. You are bidding on a cased pair of artillery implements, one being an 1863 Watervliet Arsenal gunner’s level and a large brass quadrant, maker marked “W. & L. Gurley. Troy, NY”. Inside case is large 8″ x 4″ label which reads “This is the level of the “Swamp Angel’, so called 100lb. Parrot rifled cannon, which was in battery in swamp – James Island, So. Ca. for the bombardment of Charleston. The gun burst in action & this level was picked up near by Quartermaster Frank Candee (?) who gave it to me. CHB” Names are difficult to read (see photos). A separate “museum” card in box reads as follows “ARTILLERYMAN’S LEVEL AND QUADRANT USED IN SIGHTING THE FAMOUS “SWAMP ANGEL”, 200-PDR. PARROTT RIFLE THAT FIRED 36 SHELLS INTO THE CITY OF CHARLESTON, S.S., FROM MORRIS ISLAND, 22-23 AUGUST 1863, BEFORE BUSTING. FIRE WAS DIRECTED BY LIEUT. CHARLES SELLMER, FROM THE 11TH REGT, MAINE INFANTRY.” Swamp Angel was probably the most famous cannon used during the Civil War and Charles Sellmer was involved in its firing. Sellmer was in the US Artillery prior to the war and an artillerist with the 11th Connecticut during the war. Sellmer was involved in the firing of the Swamp Angel into Charleston on August 22 through 23, 1863. Sellmer was wounded when the Swamp Angel burst. When the Swamp Angel battery fired its first shot at Charleston it was the first piece of artillery in history to fire over 4 miles! It was also the first to use a napalm-like substance (Greek fire) and the first to intentionally risk collateral damage by firing on a civilian target. This famous cannon is mounted in a monument now in Trenton, N.J. There was lots of controversy on the Union Army firing incendiary shells into a city with large civilian population, but “by existing rules of war Charleston was a legitimate target, it was an armed camp. There were fortifications in the city. It was home to a number of munition plants, and it wharfs served blockade runners who carried war supplies.” from Steven Wise’s book “Gate of Hell, Campaign for Charleston Harbour, 1863″, University of South Carolina Press, 1994, from pg 148. The brass quadrant measures 17-1/2″ x 7”. Appears to be intact, functional with nice patina with some staining, as can be seen in photo. Gunner level is in excellent condition, complete, well marked. Accompanied by their custom fitted box. CONDITION: As described above. 4-37557 JS47 (4,000-6,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2009

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	2512	$7,705.00	HISTORIC CASED ARTILLERY TOOLS USED ON THE FAMOUS CIVIL WAR CANNON “SWAMP ANGEL”. You are bidding on a cased pair of artillery implements, one being an 1863 Watervliet Arsenal gunner’s level and a large brass quadrant, maker marked “W. & L. Gurley. Troy, NY”. Inside case is large 8″ x 4″ label which reads “This is the level of the “Swamp Angel’, so called 100lb. Parrot rifled cannon, which was in battery in swamp – James Island, So. Ca. for the bombardment of Charleston. The gun burst in action & this level was picked up near by Quartermaster Frank Candee (?) who gave it to me. CHB” Names are difficult to read (see photos). A separate “museum” card in box reads as follows “ARTILLERYMAN’S LEVEL AND QUADRANT USED IN SIGHTING THE FAMOUS “SWAMP ANGEL”, 200-PDR. PARROTT RIFLE THAT FIRED 36 SHELLS INTO THE CITY OF CHARLESTON, S.S., FROM MORRIS ISLAND, 22-23 AUGUST 1863, BEFORE BUSTING. FIRE WAS DIRECTED BY LIEUT. CHARLES SELLMER, FROM THE 11TH REGT, MAINE INFANTRY.” Swamp Angel was probably the most famous cannon used during the Civil War and Charles Sellmer was involved in its firing. Sellmer was in the US Artillery prior to the war and an artillerist with the 11th Connecticut during the war. Sellmer was involved in the firing of the Swamp Angel into Charleston on August 22 through 23, 1863. Sellmer was wounded when the Swamp Angel burst. When the Swamp Angel battery fired its first shot at Charleston it was the first piece of artillery in history to fire over 4 miles! It was also the first to use a napalm-like substance (Greek fire) and the first to intentionally risk collateral damage by firing on a civilian target. This famous cannon is mounted in a monument now in Trenton, N.J. There was lots of controversy on the Union Army firing incendiary shells into a city with large civilian population, but “by existing rules of war Charleston was a legitimate target, it was an armed camp. There were fortifications in the city. It was home to a number of munition plants, and it wharfs served blockade runners who carried war supplies.” from Steven Wise’s book “Gate of Hell, Campaign for Charleston Harbour, 1863″, University of South Carolina Press, 1994, from pg 148. The brass quadrant measures 17-1/2″ x 7”. Appears to be intact, functional with nice patina with some staining, as can be seen in photo. Gunner level is in excellent condition, complete, well marked. Accompanied by their custom fitted box. CONDITION: As described above. 4-37557 JS47 (4,000-6,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2009 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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