Leesburg in Loudoun County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
13 Pounder "James Rifle"
One cannon manned by Battery B, 1st Rhode Island Field Artillery at Ball's Bluff
Commanded by Lieutenant Walter Bramhall
Model 1841 six pounder smooth bore cannon modified with rifling to fire James system rounds meant to extend range and accuracy of the obsolete Mexican War vintage gun
Weight: about 2000 pounds
Full crew: 8 soldiers
Pulled by six horses
13 pound solid shot, shell, conical case shot or canister
Effective ranges: Solid: 1500 yards, shell: 1600 yards, case: 900 yards, canister: 400 yards
James system developed by former Senator (and State Militia General) Charles James of Rhode Island
-James killed attempting to clear a misfire during demonstration for foreign dignitaries of a cannon firing rounds of his own design 17 Oct 1862
Cannon's 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)
Display cannon is M1841 6 pounder of the same type used at Ball's Bluff, but unlike the gun used during the battle, it has not been modified with the James system style rifling found on the original
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these
this page online
Location. 39° 7.919′ N, 77° 31.659′ 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 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: A National Cemetery System (a few steps from this marker); United States National Military Cemetery (a few steps from this marker); First Black Combatant of the Civil War
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 6, 2021
2. 13 Pounder "James Rifle" Marker
While the James Rifle is nowhere to be found, the marker is visible.
Other markers no longer nearby. The North (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Battle of Balls Bluff, October 21, 1861 (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Balls Bluff National Cemetery (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Credits. This page was last revised on May 2, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 6, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 606 times since then and 65 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 6, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
