Battery H, 1st Illinois Light Artillery

The monument stands to the side of the 55th Illinois Infantry tablet (right). Four artillery pieces represent the battery, but none are 20-pdr Parrott Rifles. The park uses this position to display a sampling of artillery types used at Shiloh. The four pieces include a James Rifle, 6-pdr Field Gun, a 10-pdr Parrott Rifle, and a Wiard Rifle.

This 3.80-inch James Rifle, "Type 2, Series 4" is a late production example of the type. Cast in 1862 by Ames Manufacturing in Massachusetts, clearly indicated as "1862" and "A.M. Co." to the right side. The registry number 74 is at the top left. The weight is indicated as 914 pounds on the lower left. At the bottom the initials G.T.B. indicate the inspector, George T. Balch.

From a distance, this weapon has a similar shape to that of the James Rifle. But it is smoothbore. With a registry number "5" on the muzzle, this weapon was produced in 1861. It was, like the rifle, cast by Ames Manufacturing and inspected by George T. Balch. However it weighed 859 pounds.

The only 10-pdr Federal Parrott Rifle on display in the park. This piece was produced in 1862 by West Point Foundry, New York. It bears registry number 238 on the muzzle.

One of the rare pieces within the park's collection. The Wiard was designed by Canadian-American Norman Wiard. The guns were likely produced by O'Donnell Foundry in New York, using steel casting. Seen here on a standard reproduction carriage, the original guns had an advanced carriage that allowed the gun to elevate higher than normal field guns. The carriage also featured system of chains and shoes for each wheel to aid ascent and descent in broken terrain.