Near Petersburg in Prince George County, 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 near Petersburg,

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Virginia, in Prince George County. It can be reached from Seige Road north of Oaklawn Boulevard (Virginia Route 36). Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5001 Siege Rd, Prince George VA 23875, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Coastal Virginia.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

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 different marker also named Dictator (here, next to this marker); Opportunity Lost (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Battery 5 of the Dimmock Line (about 600 feet away); Artillery at Petersburg (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Petersburg Campaign (approx. 0.2 miles away); a

Photographed by Mike McKeown, April 26, 2024

2. The Dictator Marker

Dictator with side view of sign

different marker also named Uprooted by War (approx. 0.2 miles away); Siege of Petersburg — Grant's First Offensive (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Battery 5 Trail (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Petersburg.

Other markers no longer nearby. Opportunity Lost (was about 500 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Battery 5 of the Dimmock Line (was about 600 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Uprooted by War (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Battery 5 Trail (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

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

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 October 21, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 29, 2024, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 351 times since then and 35 times this year. 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.