Washington Guns State Historical Marker

Immediately East of the Savannah City Hall, Bay St.

 

(Text)

CHATHAM ARTILLERY'S

"WASHINGTON GUNS"

 

These cannon, which were captured when Lord Cornwallis

surrendered at Yorktown in the American Revolution, were a gift

to the Chatham Artillery by President George Washington -- a mark

of his appreciation for the part the local military company

played in the celebration of his visit to Savannah in May, 1791.

Washington commended the Chatham Artillery in "warmest terms"

and at one of the functions in his honor (which took place on

the river bluff east of this spot) proposed a toast "to the present

dexterous Corps of Artillery."

 

The "Washington Guns" have thundered a welcome to many

distinguished visitors to Savannah, including James Monroe, the

Marquis de Lafayette, James K. Polk, Millard Fillmore, Chester A.

Arthur, Jefferson Davis, Grover Cleveland, William McKinley, William

H. Taft, and Franklin D. Roosevelt.

 

During the War Between the States the historic cannon were buried

for safety beneath the Chatham Artillery armory and were not

removed until 1872 when the Federal occupation troops had departed.

 

The "Washington Guns" were taken to Yorktown in 1881 by a

contingent of the Chatham Artillery and led the parade at the

centennial celebration of Cornwallis' surrender.

 

 

025 - 54 GEORGIA HISTORIC MARKER 1982

 

Photo: Ed Jackson

© Carl Vinson Institute of Government, The University of Georgia

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