Quaker Gun

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

A Quaker Gun is a simulated cannon made from a wooden log, sometimes painted black, used to deceive an enemy into believing a combatant possesses superior firepower.

On December 4, 1780 Continental Army Colonel William Washington, used a Quaker Gun during the American Revolutionary War against over 100 Loyalists led by Colonel Rowland Rugeley, who surrendered rather than face "bombardment."

Quaker guns were also used in the American Civil War by the Confederate Army to trick Union Army troops. Quaker guns were a common military tactic of P.G.T. Beauregard, and are known to have been used at the Siege of Petersburg, First Battle of Bull Run and the Battle of Corinth I.

The name derives from the Quaker religious opposition to war and violence (the Peace Testimony).

References

This article contains public domain text from "December of 1780". The Revolution Day by Day. URL accessed on June 1, 2005.