Leesburg in Loudoun County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

M1841 12 Pound Mountain Howitzer

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 6, 2021

1. M1841 12 Pound Mountain Howitzer Marker

Inscription.
• Two howitzers manned by 2nd New York State Militia at Ball's Bluff
• Commanded by Lieutenant Frank Sands French

• Weight: about 600 pounds
• Full crew: 8 soldiers
• Can be pulled by one horse or mule
• Can be packed on three horses or mules
• 12 pound solid shot, shell, spherical case shot or canister
• Effective ranges: Solid 900 yards, Shell: 1000 yards, Case: 800 yards, Canister: 200 yards

• Howitzers' effectiveness at Ball's Bluff limited by short range to next ridgeline (<300 yards), crew members within musket range, and lack of proper ammunition (no case or canister rounds)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • War, US Civil.

Location. 39° 7.951′ N, 77° 31.653′ W. Marker is in Leesburg, Virginia, in Loudoun County. It can be reached from Balls Bluff Park east of Balls Bluff Road, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Leesburg VA 20176, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area and in Northern Virginia. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, 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: 20th Massachusetts Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Union Artillery (within shouting distance of this marker); 13 Pounder "James Rifle" (within shouting distance

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of this marker); The North: Union Leaders at Ball's Bluff (within shouting distance of this marker); Battle of Ball's Bluff, October 21, 1861 (within shouting distance of this marker); First Black Combatant of the Civil War (within shouting distance of this marker); A National Cemetery System (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The North: Union Leaders at Ball's Bluff (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Leesburg.

Other markers no longer nearby. 20th Massachusetts Infantry (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Union Artillery (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 6, 2021

2. M1841 12 Pound Mountain Howitzer Marker

Unfortunately, the howitzers are nowhere to be seen, but the marker remains.

Howitzers and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bradley Owen, October 19, 2020

3. Howitzers and Marker

In position prior to their removal.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 9, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 6, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 439 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 6, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on March 7, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.