Manassas in Prince William County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Dahlgren Boat Howitzers

First Battle of Manassas

— July 21, 1861 10:45 a.m. —

Dahlgren Boat Howitzers Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, August 16, 2025

1. Dahlgren Boat Howitzers Marker

The background of the marker is, "A wartime image of the 71st New York State Militia at the Washington Navy Yard."

Inscription. As one of the first regiments to arrive in the nation's capital at the outbreak of war, the 71st New York State Militia received immediate orders from Gen. Winfield Scott to guard the Washington Navy Yard. Over coming weeks, the militiamen joined several expeditions down the Potomac River and saw action against Confederate shore batteries near Aquia Creek. In recognition of their service, Capt. John Dahlgren, U.S.N., presented the regiment with a pair of 12-pounder boat howitzers.

The commander of the 71st NYSM assigned the guns to Company I, led by Cpt. Augustus V.H. Ellis, who drilled the men incessantly in their use. The boat howitzers, designed by Dahlgren in 1849, offered versatility for amphibious operations. The smoothbore guns could be mounted in the bow of a landing craft and quickly transferred to a field carriage for service ashore.

As the Union army marched toward Manassas Junction, Company I wheeled the howitzers by hand approximately 30 miles from the Navy Yard. Each soldier of the company carried two rounds of ammunition - an extra 24 lbs. per man! The guns rendered effective service here on Matthews Hill alongside the Rhode Island battery. In the frenzied retreat that afternoon, the howitzers were abandoned and captured near Cub Run. In addition to the loos of their boat howitzers, the 71st NYSM suffered

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62 casualties during the battle.

These two howitzers were donated to Manassas National Battlefield Park by Fairfax County, and their restoration was supported by the Manassas Battlefield Trust.

Erected by Manassas National Battlefield Park, National Park Service, US 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 1849.

Location. 38° 49.514′ N, 77° 31.868′ W. Marker is in Manassas, Virginia, in Prince William County. It can be reached from Sudley Road (State Highway 234), on the right when traveling north. Located on the Matthews Hill walking trail. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6215 Sudley Rd, Manassas VA 20109, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area,

in Northern Virginia,

and in the Piedmont.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

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: Rhode Island Battery (within shouting distance of this marker); The Fight for Matthews Hill (within shouting distance of this marker); 4th Alabama Infantry (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Matthew Farm (about 400 feet away); 2nd Rhode Island Infantry (about 400 feet away); Blocking the Union Advance (about 600 feet away); U.S. Infantry Battalion (about 700 feet away); 2nd New Hampshire Infantry (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manassas.

Photographed by Craig Swain, August 16, 2025

2. Dahlgren Boat Howitzers Marker

Other markers no longer nearby. Matthews Hill (was about 400 feet away but has been confirmed missing); Vision of Victory (was about 400 feet away but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . .
1. Dahlgren Boat Howitzers Technical Report. By Spencer C. Tucker, naval ordnance historian. The article provides much detail of the boat howitzer types (which was a full "family" of cannon designed by Dahlgren). (Submitted on August 25, 2025, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

2. Boat Howitzers at Manassas. A series of blog posts, by historian Harry Smeltzer, discussing the 71st NYSM and their use of the howitzers; details of the restoration and placement of the howitzers on the battlefield in 2021; and a look at the howitzers' previous location at Fairfax Courthouse. (Submitted on August 25, 2025, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Photographed by Craig Swain, August 16, 2025

3. Dahlgren Boat Howitzers Marker

Photographed by Craig Swain, August 16, 2025

4. Dahlgren Boat Howitzers Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 23, 2025, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 113 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 23, 2025, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.