Four Brass Cannon

                                                                  On the road to Revolution

The first brass cannon are introduced to Boston in 1774, intended to help put downs a rebellion. Brass cannon are lighter, withstand higher heat than iron cannon, making them safer, and require less maintenance during a battle.
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Leslie’s retreat happened 2/27/1775; 250 years ago. Four new brass cannons stolen from the British armory on the Boston Commons passed through Salem on their way to Concord. General Gage, embarrassed at the loss, listed the 4 cannon on the top of Colonel Smith’s priorities. J. L. Bell’s book, The Road To Concord, exposes the course taken and the motivation behind the march to re-capture the brass cannon. One cannon hangs today in the Bunker Hill Monument and a second in the NPS visitors center above the bridge. 

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