North Newport News , Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Ten Pound Parrott Rifle and Limber

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 11, 2008

1. Ten Pound Parrott Rifle and Limber Marker

Inscription. The Civil War Parrott Rifle was a muzzle loaded rifled cannon capable of firing a 10 pound projectile about 3000 yards at 12º elevation. Invented by Robert P. Parrott, the cast iron Parrott Rifle gave greater accuracy and a larger effective range compared to the more commonly used smooth-bore Napoleon.

The barrel of this cannon is an original, manufactured in 1864 at West Point Foundry, Cold Spring, New York. The gun carriage and limber are cast iron replicas. The limber, to which the horses were attached, carried a chest containing tools and items necessary for firing the cannon. When the cannon was actually firing the limber was located about 10 yards behind the cannon.

During the battle of Dam No. 1 the 3rd New York Artillery used 10 pound Parrott Rifles to support the assault of the 3rd Vermont Infantry.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.

Location. 37° 10.932′ N, 76° 32.263′ W. Marker is in Newport News, Virginia. It is in North Newport News. Marker is on Constitution Way, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located in Newport News Park, at the entrance to the parking lot at the Discovery Center. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Newport News VA 23603, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of

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this marker. Third Regiment Vermont Volunteer Infantry (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Battle of Lee’s Mill (Dam Number 1) (about 400 feet away); Battle of Dam No. 1 (about 400 feet away); Peninsula Campaign Warwick River (about 400 feet away); Mott’s Battery (about 600 feet away); Custer’s Covered Way (approx. 0.2 miles away); One-Gun Battery (approx. 0.2 miles away); “Their Conduct was Worthy of Veterans” (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Newport News.

Ten Pound Parrott Rifle and Limber image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 11, 2008

2. Ten Pound Parrott Rifle and Limber

Ten Pound Parrott Rifle image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 11, 2008

3. Ten Pound Parrott Rifle

Limber for the Parrott Rifle image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 11, 2008

4. Limber for the Parrott Rifle

The back of the marker can be seen in this photo to the left of the limber.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 19, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,813 times since then and 32 times this year. Last updated on August 28, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 19, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.