Mortar Dictator, in Front of Petersburg
by Knox, David
- Used
- Condition
- See description
- Seller
-
Stevenson, Maryland, United States
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
Albumen print (7 ½ x 10 in.), unmounted. Minor creasing, short closed tear, tone slightly pale but overall excellent. Framed.
This fascinating photograph is a variant of the image shown in Gardner's Photographic Sketch Book of the War. In that image, a group of Union officers including the chief of artillery of the Army of the Potomac stands in the foreground, while five members of the mortar crew stand in the background. In the present photograph, shells have been moved to the foreground, and the full crew of nine men is present. The photographs are otherwise essentially identical.
The Dictator, a 13-inch seacoast mortar, was the largest weapon used during the siege of Petersburg. It could send a 225-pound explosive shell more than two miles. During its service in the siege lines, the Dictator fired 218 rounds at Petersburg and its defenses. The mortar was placed on a specially reinforced railroad flatcar, seen here, and run along a spur line of the City Point and Petersburg Railroad into various firing positions. The flatcar also served as a firing platform.
Reviews
(Log in or Create an Account first!)
Details
- Seller
- 19th Century Rare Book and Photograph Shop (US)
- Seller's Inventory #
- 32820648
- Title
- Mortar Dictator, in Front of Petersburg
- Author
- Knox, David
- Book Condition
- Used
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Place of Publication
- Petersburg, VA
- Date Published
- October 1864
- Weight
- 0.00 lbs
Terms of Sale
19th Century Rare Book and Photograph Shop
30 day return guarantee, with full refund including shipping costs for up to 30 days after delivery if an item arrives misdescribed or damaged.
About the Seller
19th Century Rare Book and Photograph Shop
About 19th Century Rare Book and Photograph Shop
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes: