Near Raymond in Hinds County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)

Whitworth Breechloading Rifle

Photographed by Mark Hilton, July 30, 2021

1. Whitworth Breechloading Rifle Marker

Inscription. The Whitworth was developed in England before the Civil War by Sir Joseph Whitworth, and was generally used by the Confederate armies. However, very few breechloaders were used in the Civil War because their breech mechanisms were relatively clumsy and complicated. The weapon had a unique hexagonal bore design, and the projectiles had the same shape, but with a slightly smaller diameter. The English-made ammunition also included a powder charge in a hexagonally-shaped tin cylinder. The bore was not rifled in the traditional sense, but had a twisted hexagonal path for the projectile, which gave the Whitworth extreme range and accuracy. At 35º elevation, the 2.75-inch rifle had a range of 10,000 yards, or 5.7 miles, but this was not much of an advantage in the days of imperfect means of observation. Additionally, the small-caliber shells and comparatively weak bursting charges prevented this gun from being really effective. During the Battle of Raymond, the Confederate Whitworth burst while firing.

Erected 2016 by the Friends of Raymond Battlefield.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.

Location. 32° 14.86′ N, 90° 26.569′ W. Marker is near Raymond, Mississippi, in Hinds

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County. It can be reached from the intersection of Old Port Gibson Road and Port Gibson Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Raymond MS 39154, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Natchez Trace Corridor

and in Greater Jackson.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

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 the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

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: Artillery Ammunition (a few steps from this marker); C.S. Gregg's Task Force (a few steps from this marker); C.S. Bledsoe's Missouri Battery (3 Guns) (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named C.S. Gregg's Task Force (within shouting distance of this marker); To Clinton and Jackson (within shouting distance of this marker); The Campaign Turns East (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named C.S. Gregg's Task Force (approx. 0.2 miles away); Battle of Raymond - This Walking Trail (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Raymond.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Bledsoe's Battery (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing).

More about this marker. The Friends of Raymond Battlefield signed a 25-year lease with Hinds Community College in February, 2014, for approximately one acre of land where the Confederate artillery and this marker is located, in front of the old Magna America plant.

Also see . . . Wikipedia article on the Whitworth Rifle.

Whitworth Breechloading Rifle, behind marker, at Bledsoes Battery. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, July 30, 2021

2. Whitworth Breechloading Rifle, behind marker, at Bledsoes Battery.

Behind the marker is a working replica Whitworth Rifle barrel installed in November, 2016.

(Submitted on August 1, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Three interpretive markers about the Confederate gun battery here. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, July 30, 2021

3. Three interpretive markers about the Confederate gun battery here.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 1, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 1, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 986 times since then and 94 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 1, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.