Near Henrico in Henrico County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
"The Big Guns Spoke"
Photographed By Craig Swain, March 21, 2010
1. "The Big Guns Spoke" Marker
This 1865 photograph shows the terrain over which the successful Union assault was made. Note the stumps where trees were removed to open a field of fire for the Confederate gunners. Your present location is in the right center of the photograph.When about halfway across the field ... one of the big guns spoke, and out through the white, woolly smoke that leaped from its throat rushed a group of black balls that looked the size of our modern baseball... and they didn't seem to move much faster... A dozen men yelled "Look out!" The men shied to the left and right, lifting their legs high in (the) air, and, to my utter astonishment, dodged them as easily as if they had been cabbageheads...Three or four later doses of these could be readily seen, but they came too fast to be dodged, and their work was terrible.
Merlin C. Harris
96th New York Infantry
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1865.
Location. 37° 25.577′ N, 77° 22.324′ W. Marker is near Henrico, Virginia, in Henrico County. Marker can be reached from Battlefield
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Grant Under Fire (within shouting distance of this marker); The Killing Fields (within shouting distance of this marker); Surprise Attack (within shouting distance of this marker); Union Entrenchments (within shouting distance of this marker); Bombproof (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Fort Parapet (about 300 feet away); Bombproof and Casemate (about 300 feet away); Confederate Trenches (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Henrico.
Also see . . . Battlefield Tour - Ft Gilmer to Ft Brady. Richmond National Battlefield Park website. (Submitted on August 22, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Photographed By Craig Swain, March 21, 2010
2. "The Big Guns Spoke" Marker
Photographed By Craig Swain, March 21, 2010
3. Ditch In Front of the Confederate Positions
Photographed By Craig Swain, March 21, 2010
4. Reproduction 24-pdr Gun
Guns similar to this reproduction were in the Confederate lines defending this portion of the Richmond defenses. The guns could fire grapeshot and canister, as described in the account on the marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 22, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 809 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 22, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
