Port Hudson in East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)
U.S. Army 20-Pounder Parrott Rifle
Model 1861
Photographed by Cajun Scrambler, January 4, 2019
1. U.S. Army 20-Pounder Parrott Rifle Marker
Robert Parker Parrott, a former U.S. army officer, invented a series of rifled, reinforced-breech, iron cannon. The cannon were manufactured at the West Point Foundry in Cold Springs, New York, and were made in different calibers: 10-pounder (2.9-inch), 10-pounder (3-inch), 20-pounder (3.67-inch), 30-pounder (4.2 -inch), 60- pounder (5.3-inch), 100-pounder (6.4-inch), 200-pounder (8-inch) and 300-pounder (10-inch).
The U.S. army adopted the 3.67-inch, or 20-pounder Parrott in 1861. The 20-pounder Parrotts were some of the first rifled cannon and some of the heaviest cannon used by the field or light artillery. They were not popular due to their excessive weight.
The Confederate army used captured Parrotts and manufactured some of their own. The Tredegar Foundry in Richmond Virginia was one of the sources for domestically produced Parrott rifles.
Specifications:
Length 89.5 inches
Weight 1750 pounds
Bore diameter 3.67 inches
Range 4400 yards
Solid shot weight 19.75 pounds
Case shot weight 19.5 pounds
Shell weight 18.75 pounds
Powder charge 2 pounds
Topics. This historical marker
this page online
Location. 30° 41.586′ N, 91° 16.56′ W. Marker is in Port Hudson, Louisiana, in East Feliciana Parish. It can be reached from U.S. 61. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 236 US Hwy 61, Jackson LA 70748, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Florida Parishes and in Greater Baton Rouge. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, and in the Great River Road Region. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, the Louisiana Purchase, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Field Artillery Limber (a few steps from this marker); Union Battery No. 1 (within shouting distance of this marker); Port Hudson (within shouting distance of this marker); Port Hudson Peace Monument
Photographed by Cajun Scrambler, January 4, 2019
2. U.S. Army 20-Pounder Parrott Rifle Marker
More about this marker. Located in kiosk just outside of Port Hudson Historic Site museum.
January 4, 2019
3. U.S. Army 20-Pounder Parrott Rifle Marker
January 4, 2019
4. U.S. Army 20-Pounder Parrott Rifle Marker
January 4, 2019
5. U.S. Army 20-Pounder Parrott Rifle Marker
Photographed by Cajun Scrambler, January 4, 2019
6. U.S. Army 20-Pounder Parrott Rifle Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on December 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 19, 2019, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 838 times since then and 104 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on January 19, 2019.
