Daniel Kunckler's family reported that they heard the cannons being fired in Philadelphia, while sitting at Daniel's deathbed in Bethlehem in 1777. Two questions: 1. What month did Daniel probably die within? 2. Was is possible to hear cannon fire from Philly in Bethlehem ? The educated guesses at this point are: 1. November 2. Yes Thanks to the history and artillary buffs who emailed to me. For those who recall their physics (I read them, but I don't remember enough to understand them), there are several online articles on explosives, the speed of sound, and the effect of weather conditions on the speed of sound. In September of 1777 General Howe began firing upon Philadelphia from the harbor. Philadelphia surrendered and was invaded. However, cannon fire on Ft. Mifflin, in PA, and on Ft. Mercer, on the N.J. side of the river, continued thru October and into November. On Nov. 10th, General Howe ordered the around the clock bombardment of the Forts. The Americans pulled out of Ft. Mifflin Nov.15, and abandoned Ft. Mercer on Nov. 21, 1777. A Civil War reenactor and artillerist for the 1st Ohio Light Artillery, the Honorable H.E. Shaw, kindly explained that during the battle of Gettysberg on July 1-3, 1863, artillery fire was heard as far away as Harrisburg. Some rumbling may have been heard as far away as Pittsburgh. It was pointed out to me by several people, that during the battle of Waterloo on June 18, 1815, cannon fire was heard in southern England, including Heathfield, Sussex (184 miles) and Sandgate, Kent (144 miles). It amazes me somedays how much I learn by working on genealogy. J.R. Maxwell Delaware Co., OH