Heavy Artillery Designed By A Dentist

In 1862 John Gilleland, a dentist and sometimes mechanic from Georgia, had a genius idea. If one cannon could wreak havoc upon the enemy, why not use two? His appropriately named double-barreled cannon called for two six pound guns, but cast as a single piece. The plan was to simultaneously fire both barrels which were splayed slightly outward. This would cause the cannon balls, which were connected with a thick chain, to diverge. It was Gilleland’s hope that this would stretch the chain taut