![]() The Dictator was a 13-inch seacoast mortar similar to the one in front of you. 1864: “…the enemy frequently shoot very large shells into Petersburg & do some damage to buildings, but the people are getting used to it, so they don’t mind them….”įamous but militarily ineffective, the “Dictator” fired on Petersburg from this spot during July, August, and September 1864. The regiment had been in charge of the Army of the Potomac’s siege artillery since the days of General McClellan. The mortar was finally placed in a permanent installation protected from Confederate counterbattery fire.Ĭompany G of the First Connecticut Heavy Artillery manned the giant mortar. Its reinforced successor would be thrust down the tracks with each firing, while the mortar itself would surge back on the car. The first flatcar that it was fired from was destroyed by the recoil. The 17,000 pound mortar was originally fired from a railcar on the line from City Point. The replica was cast from concrete to the exact dimensions of the original mortar, and was placed in its actual location. ![]() The marker is next to a replica of the mortar set up in its firing position. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |