New cannon at courthouse a blast for spectators

It took years of saving and lots of work for the Rotary Club to have a new Civil War era cannon placed on the Montgomery County Courthouse Lawn.

Dignitaries, re-enactors and business leaders turned out in force to see the cannon shot for the first — and then a second time.

But the biggest thrill might have been felt by dozens of second-graders standing across the street as the thunderous boom gave them a reason to scream, jump, laugh, point and then do it all again.

"Wow," said one boy, bouncing as his friend did a dance move and smoke hovered in the air.

The cannon, a gift from the Rotary Club to celebrate its 100th anniversary, was built solely in Montgomery County using original drawings of a Model 1841 6-Pounder Field Gun.

Another replica had graced the court house lawn in 2011 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War but was moved to Fort Defiance.

A lot of people wanted a cannon back downtown.

"We always felt like (we) needed another one here on the court house lawn," said Billie Ruth Nannery, who dressed up in period garb to mark the occasion. She is on the board of Friends of Fort Defiance and said she appreciates the history of Clarksville. "I do have a true love of the history."

Another historical interpreter in a big dress said her family has lived in Montgomery County since the Civil War and she wanted to support the Rotary Club's efforts.

"Anything that keeps the true Civil War alive in Clarksville — we were a very important city strategically," said Carolyn Ferrell, another volunteer from Fort Defiance who has written seven books on Clarksville history.

Re-enactor Bob Parker said during the Civil War there were three cannons at Fort Defiance and several at Fort Clark on Riverside. There is some dispute about what happened to them. Some say they were pushed into the river while others say Confederate troops took them with them when they fled Clarksville before its capture.

The new cannon is largely the work of Clarksville Foundary President Charlie Foust and foundary employees who had the idea and drive to create a new cannon.

Meanwhile, past presidents of the Rotary decided a few years ago to set aside $5,000 a year to do something to mark its anniversary and the idea to join forces was born.

The cannon sits at the corner of Commerce and Second streets and can be viewed by the public.