New Ulm Battery Captain Ryan Kelly (left) and President Tony Arndt stand with the battery's original cannon, a M1841 Bronze 6-pounder field gun. This year the battery began seeking funds to purchase a back up cannon to preserve historic original artillery piece.

NEW ULM — In January 1863, a battery unit was formed in New Ulm following a request for cannons to protect the city.

Now, 161 years later, The New Ulm Battery is looking for a new cannon; not to protect the city, but to help preserve the original cannon.

“There is nothing wrong with the old cannon,” said Battery Capt. Ryan Kelly, “but we are taking steps to preserve it.”

By purchasing a new cannon, the battery will be able to limit the wear and tear on the original gun, which first arrived in New Ulm in the spring of 1863. The cannon was sent by the State of Minnesota following a request from the citizens of New Ulm.

During the U.S. Dakota War of 1862, two battles were fought in New Ulm. After the war, the citizens of New Ulm requested cannons to protect the city in case of further attacks.

This first cannon was a M1841 Bronze 6-pounder field gun. It was cast in 1856. The gun rests on a two-wheeled cart, called a limber, that attaches to the tail of the gun for towing. The limber was built around 1851.

Though the cannon is nearly 170 years old it is still used and maintained by The New Ulm Battery to this day and is in great shape.

“It is a testament to the generation that came before us,” New Ulm Battery President Tony Arndt said. “There was great respect paid by all the men and women who served in the battery.”

The goal is to ensure the artillery continues for the next generations. The new gun will help limit the risk to the original cannon by taking its place at certain events.

The M1841 cannon is present at many of New Ulm’s festivals. Kelly estimated that in a typical year, the cannon is brought to 20 different events, some of which are outside of New Ulm.

The cannon has traveled all across the Midwest at various historical events. It has traveled to the Shiloh Battlefield in Tennessee. In May 2022, the cannon attended the commissioning ceremony of the USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul in Duluth.

Kelly said the plan is to continue using the original cannon in New Ulm for local community festivals and ceremonies, while a new replica cannon could travel outside as a “touring” version of the cannon.

One of the greatest risks to the cannon is transporting long distances. On long trips outside of New Ulm, there is a risk the historic cannon could be damaged. The new cannon will take on this risk and preserve the original for future generations.

Arndt estimated the new cannon would cost between $30,000 and $40,000. The idea is to purchase a new barrel and carriage for the field artillery. The New Ulm Battery has managed to raise around $13,000 for the new cannon with several local businesses donating money.

Some of the donors include Gag Sheet Metal, Frandsen Bank, Citizen Bank and Dittrich Specialties.

“The community’s support has been nothing but positive,” Arndt said. Over the years the city has come through for the battery. Recently, the city approved bidding for a new Battery Headquarters building. This will provide adequate storage for all the battery’s cannons, including the new cannon.

Arndt said they would love to order the new cannon within the next two years. It will likely take a year before the cannon is delivered.

“When the new gun arrives, it will look the same as the original,” Arndt said. The only way to tell the difference will be to look down the barrel of the cannon. The new cannon will include rifling and will be capable of firing live rounds.

Another benefit of having a touring cannon is it allows people outside of New Ulm to see and hear a Civil War cannon in action. Arndt and Kelly agreed that every time the battery travels to another community it serves as a promotion for New Ulm. People see the cannon and they want to know more about it and the history surrounding it.

“It is another great way to be stewards of New Ulm,” Kelly said.

The Battery accepts donations at P.O. Box 611 in New Ulm.

Arndt said The New Ulm Battery is also looking for new members. For more information, contact the New Ulm Battery on their Facebook page.