Model 1861 10-Pound Parrott Rifle with Limber

Model 1861 10-Pound Parrott Rifle with Limber. "The fires were accurate as to the plane and range... ". , In the fall of 1860 Major Thomas J. Jackson, VMI instructor of Artillery Tactics, was given the task of field-testing a new rifled cannon invented by Captain Robert Parrott., The Parrott Rifle differed from other artillery pieces of the day in several ways: the cast iron tube was strengthened at the breech by a wrought iron band, thus creating a distinctive layered appearance; the Parrott's rifled tube increased its range to 1,900 yards, a major improvement over the smoothbore Model 1857 Napoleon cannon (then in standard usage) with a range of 1,600 yards; and the Parrott fired an elongated, cylindrical projectile., The test cannon arrived on 18 July 1860 and testing commenced on 11 September from a site on the VMI Parade Ground, near what is now Marshall Arch., Targets, made from tent flies, were placed by VMI cadets on a ridge 1,000 yards to the north, across the Maury River. After initial testing F. H. Smith, Superintendent of VMI, wrote to Captain Parrott: "My powder was very indifferent... being inferior flashy powder, so that no reliance can be placed upon its results. The fires were accurate as to the plane and range." Based on Major Jackson's final report, the Commonwealth of Virginia immediately ordered several additional Parrott Rifles., This reproduction Parrott Rifle is "limbered up" to a two-wheeled limber which carried an ammunition chest, and was pulled by a team of six horses. A caisson, which was hitched to an additional limber, carried three more ammunition chests, ammunition, a spare wheel and equipment., (Captions):, Going Into Action by William H. Shelton, c. 1887. VMI Museum Collection, Thomas J. Jackson taught at VMI from 1851 to 1861. He was given the nickname "Stonewall" at the first Battle of Manassas.