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The longest range cannon fired several miles. The great majority of cannon were 10 and 20 pound muzzle loaders called Parrot Rifles with a typical range of about 2 miles (3,000 - 3,500 yards) firing solid shot. Most cannon battles arranged the guns about one mile from the enemy to place them out of rifle range but within a range that spotters could see and correct the range.

Some cannon were loaded with "canister" which acted as a giant shotgun. These had much less range (just a few hundred yards) but were greatly feared because of the horrifying damage done to their targets.

High velocity, long range, breach loading, rifled cannon were just being introduced late in the Civil War. Ranges of 3 or more miles were possible. Naval 100 pound Parrot Rifles could fire as far as 7,500 yards, or about 4-1/2 miles.

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Q: What was the longest range of a US Civil War cannon?
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