Gambles Hill in Richmond, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Southern Firepower
Richmond National Battlefield Park
| | National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior | |
Photographed by Brandon D Cross, April 4, 2014
1. Southern Firepower Marker
This 6.4-inch Brooke rifled cannon became a great source of pride for the Confederacy. Named for its inventor, John Mercer Brooke, this type of gun was renowned for its superior range, accuracy, and reliability compared to to its smoothbore counterparts. Because of its effectiveness, the Brooke Rifle saw service inside many Southern fortifications and aboard numerous Confederate warships.
This example was cast at Richmond's famous Tredegar Iron works in July 1862, and was mounted within the James River defenses near Drewry's Bluff. there it successfully guarded the river approaches to Richmond. It was capable of firing an 80-pound solid projectile over four miles.
[Captions:]
A captured Confederate Brooke Rifle along the James River.
The gun's designer, John Mercer Brooke, was an inventor and Chief of Confederate Naval Ordnance. Brooke helped develop many of the South's unique weapons, including submarines and torpedoes, and was instrumental in the design of the famous ironclad CSS Virginia. He also prepared the railroad-mounted artillery used at the battle of Savage's Station.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil
this page online
Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 37° 32.099′ N, 77° 26.736′ W. Marker was in Richmond, Virginia. It was in Gambles Hill. It could be reached from Tredegar Street 0.1 miles west of South 5th Street, on the right when traveling west. The marker stood outside of the Civil War Visitor Center at Tredegar Iron Works. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 470 Tredegar Street, Richmond VA 23219, United States of America.
We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Regionally, this marker was in Central Virginia. It was also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found 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 one other marker is within walking distance of this location: Hurricane Agnes (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.
Other markers no longer nearby. Southern Firepower (has been reported to have been replaced with this marker); Overshot Waterwheel (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); a different marker also named Overshot Waterwheel (was a few steps from this marker but has been reported to have been replaced with another marker now near it); Civil War Visitor Center (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed);
Photographed by Shane Oliver, October 22, 2016
2. View of the Brooke Rifle on Display at Tredegar Iron Works
Photographed by Shane Oliver, October 22, 2016
3. View of the Brooke Rifle on Display at Tredegar Iron Works
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Old Marker At This Location also titled "Southern Firepower".
Credits. This page was last revised on January 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 18, 2017, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 703 times since then and 22 times this year. Last updated on January 19, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1. submitted on February 20, 2017, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. 2, 3. submitted on February 18, 2017, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
