Additional infomation on the Battle of Valcour Island. http://www.vita-learn.org/vuhs/project/valcour.htm ----- Original Message ----- From: <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Monday, March 27, 2000 3:00 AM Subject: Benedict Arnold's Cannon Found on eBay > >From Dick Eastman's newletter 25 Mar 2000 > > Benedict Arnold Cannon Found on eBay > > A cannon believed to be from a Revolutionary War boat commanded > by American traitor Benedict Arnold and plucked 70 years ago from > the shores of Lake Champlain turned up on the shores of online > auctioneer eBay Inc., according to Vermont's U.S. Attorney. > > The bronze "swivel gun" was fetching bids above $2,000 on eBay > a few weeks ago when Vermont historians heard about the auction > and contacted Vermont U.S. Attorney Charles Tetzlaff. Law enforcement > and eBay officials tracked down the seller -- a retired U.S. Air > Force general -- who said he bought the historic hardware for $500 > two years ago at a Virginia antique show. > > The seller had been told that the cannon was removed from the > shores of Lake Champlain with a truck and chain in the 1930's > when it was in the way of a planned boat pier. Based on that > information and a preliminary examination, experts believe the > cannon might have come from an area of the lake known as > Arnold's Bay, in Panton, Vermont, where Arnold destroyed four > ships on Oct. 13, 1776, after the Battle of Valcour Island. > > Markings on the cannon indicate the same Philadelphia firm > that made the Liberty Bell cast this piece as well. > > The seller "did the right thing." He closed the auction on eBay > and donated the cannon to the U.S Government. >