Petersburg, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

The Dictator

— Petersburg National Battlefield —

Photographed By Mike McKeown, April 26, 2024

1. The Dictator Marker

Inscription. The "Dictator," a 13-inch seacoast mortar, fired 218 times from this spot. Their most frequent target was the Chesterfield Battery across the Appomattox River (in present-day Colonial Heights). Due to its size, it required a custom-designed rail car to move it. The recoil frequently damaged its firing platform. Due to its impracticality and ineffectiveness, the Dictator was used during the first three months of the siege in 1864.

Dimensions
Bore diameter: 13 inches
Tube material: iron
Length of tube: 53 inches (4.4 feet)
Weight of tube: 17,120 pounds

Ammunition
Powder charge: 20 pounds
Projectile: 220 lb. Mortar Shells

Performance
Effective range: 4,325 yards (~2.4 miles)
Max height: 1,207 yards (3621 feet)
Time to impact (at 45°) ~30 seconds

(caption) The 13" seacoast mortar to your left is Civil War era, but not the original Dictator.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1864.

Location. 37° 14.812′ N, 77° 21.392′ W. Marker is in Petersburg, Virginia. Marker can be reached from

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Seige Road north of Oaklawn Boulevard (Virginia Route 36). Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5001 Siege Rd, Petersburg VA 23803, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named Dictator (here, next to this marker); Opportunity Lost (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Battery 5 of the Dimmock Line (about 700 feet away); Artillery at Petersburg (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Petersburg Campaign (approx. 0.2 miles away); Uprooted by War (approx. 0.2 miles away); Siege of Petersburg — Grant's First Offensive (approx. 0.2 miles away); Battery 5 Trail (approx. 0.2 miles away).

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Old Marker At This Location titled "Dictator".

Also see . . .
1. Petersburg National Battlefield. National Park Service (Submitted on April 29, 2024.)

2. Siege of Petersburg. Wikipedia (Submitted on April 29, 2024.)

Photographed By Mike McKeown, April 26, 2024

2. The Dictator Marker

Dictator with side view of sign

Photographed By Mike McKeown, April 26, 2024

3. The Dictator Marker

Dictator

Photographed By Mike McKeown, April 26, 2024

4. The Dictator Marker

Powder magazine - a few steps away from the mortar

Credits. This page was last revised on April 29, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 29, 2024, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 42 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 29, 2024, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.