Heard Of The "Quaker Gun"...?

Now this is one that somehow slipped past my knowledge base. I don't know how that could happen!Must be an sage thing, ya know?

In case of war, strange things can turn the tide in battle. What may seem like a crazy idea may just be the secret to winning the battle. Enter the strange world of Quaker Guns!

A Counterfeit Cannon Convinced The Enemy To Give Up

Quaker guns are logs or other similar materials painted black and made to resemble real artillery pieces. Named after the pacifist Society of Friends, or Quakers, these fake guns have been used in a variety of wars to frighten or fool the enemy. One rare instance of a Quaker gun actually effecting a surrender came during Colonel William Washington’s campaign in South Carolina on December 4, 1780.

The colonel—who also happened to be George Washington’s second cousin—had found 115 Loyalists holed up in a fortified barn. In a show of quick wit, Washington secretly had a pine log painted to look like a cannon and threatened to open fire if the defenders did not yield. His efforts paid off with the unconditional surrender of Colonel Rowland Rugeley and all his men. To add insult to injury, the defeated men later discovered that the cannon was a fake.

Now this is really a cool way to mess with the enemy, as long as they don't call your bluff! I guess that this "weapon" would be popular with the peaceniks of the world!

Coffee out on the patio today! I have some strawberry cake, OK?