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 topic lists: Animals
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Location. 39° 7.919′ N, 77° 31.659′ W. Marker is in Leesburg, Virginia, in Loudoun County. Marker 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.
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 (a few steps from this marker); The North: Union Leaders at Ball's Bluff (a few steps from this marker); Battle of Ball's Bluff, October 21, 1861 (a few steps from this marker); Ball's Bluff National Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); The South: Confederate Leaders at Ball’s Bluff (within shouting distance of this marker); Battle of Ball's Bluff - October 21, 1861: The Union Collapse (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Leesburg.
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.
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 243 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 6, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
