Downtown in Hartford in Capitol Region, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)
1st Connecticut Heavy Artillery
Photographed by Antonio Prats, March 6, 2010
1. 1st Conn. Heavy Artillery Memorial
1st Conn. Heavy Artillery Originally 4th Conn. Infantry Mustered in May 22, 1861 Mustered out Sept. 25 1865 Total enrollment officers and men 3802
Erected by the survivors and friends of the regiment and the veteran and active companies Hartford City Guard to the first volunteer organization that was mustered for three years into the service of the United States in the War of 1861-1866.
Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.
Location. 41° 45.774′ N, 72° 40.894′ W. Memorial is in Hartford in Capitol Region, Connecticut. It is in Downtown. It is on Capital Avenue near Trinity Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Memorial is in this post office area: Hartford CT 06106, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this memorial is in the Connecticut River Valley and in the Knowledge Corridor. It is also in the American Northeast and in New England. 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 Hartford County and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Marquis de La Fayette (within shouting distance of this marker); Confucius (within shouting distance of this marker); Col. Thomas Knowlton (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Trinity College (about 400 feet away); Columbus (about 500 feet away); Joseph Roswell Hawley (about 500 feet away); Orville Hitchcock Platt (about 600 feet away); Chapman-Taft House (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hartford.
Additional commentary.
this page online
1. My Great Great grandfather was responsible for this monument.
James B. McNamar mustered out of the 1st CT. Heavy Artillery in Washington DC on 9/25/1865 as a Full Qtr Master Sargent. He helped to track down the Petersburg Express and get it to Connecticut. He also gave the dedication speech and marched in the parade afterward. This is all documented in the State Library archives. This monument means a lot to me because it is my only real link to him.
— Submitted July 16, 2011, by Lee McNamar of Westbrook, Connecticut.
Photographed by Antonio Prats, March 6, 2010
2. 1st Conn. Heavy Artillery Memorial
Photographed by Antonio Prats, March 6, 2010
3. 1st Conn. Heavy Artillery Memorial
A 13-inch Model 1861 Mortar sits atop the memorial. This particular piece was cast in 1862 by Fort Pitt Foundry, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It weighed 17,197 pounds. It has the registry number 95 on the muzzle face.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 11, 2017
4. 1st Connecticut Heavy Artillery Memorial (wide view)
Connecticut State Capitol dome in background
Internet Archive
5. To the First Connecticut Heavy Artillery
The mortar forming the central feature of the design, was known during the war as the Petersburg Express, and saw much active service with the First Connecticut during the Civil war. -- From The Monumental News, Vol. XIV, No. 2, February 1902, Page 163.
6. Orginal Dedication Program
Showing James B. McNamar holding an image of the monument.
7. Description of Program given at Dedication
Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 8, 2010, by Antonio Prats of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. This page has been viewed 2,728 times since then and 113 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 8, 2010, by Antonio Prats of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. 4. submitted on March 10, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 5. submitted on September 1, 2023, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 6, 7. submitted on October 27, 2011, by Lee McNamar of Westbrook, Connecticut. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
