Near Henning in Lauderdale County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Union Artillery 6 Pound James Rifles

By Craig Swain, September 1, 2010

1. Union Artillery 6 Pound James Rifles Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

At the right of the Battery of Fort Pillow these two middle embrasures or openings in the parapet were fortified with two 6 pounder rifles. These were manned by members of Battery D, 2nd U.S. Light Artillery (colored). During the final assault on the fort, all Union artillery was largely ineffective because the guns could not be depressed enough to fire upon the Confederates on the steep terrain below.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.

Location. 35° 38.679′ N, 89° 50.298′ W. Marker is near Henning, Tennessee, in Lauderdale County. Marker can be reached from Park Road (State Highway 207), on the right when traveling north. Located in the reconstructed fort in Fort Pillow State Park. The fort is reached by a mile long trail from the visitor center. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Henning TN 38041, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Union Artillery 10 Pound Parrotts (a few steps from this marker); Earthworks Over River Batteries (within shouting distance of this marker); Confederate Water Batteries

Section of the Fort, Reproduction Guns, and Marker image. Click for full size.

By Craig Swain, September 1, 2010

2. Section of the Fort, Reproduction Guns, and Marker

The gun closest to the camera in this view is modeled after a 6-pdr rifled field gun.

(within shouting distance of this marker); Union Artillery 12 Pound Howitzers (within shouting distance of this marker); Confederate Sharpshooters (approx. ¼ mile away); Inner Breastworks (approx. ¼ mile away); General N.B. Forrest's Command Position (approx. 0.3 miles away); Outer Breastworks (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Henning.

Also see . . . Report of Captain Carl A. Lamberg. Captain Lamburg of the 2nd US Colored Light Artillery filed this report of the battle. (Submitted on October 10, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Reproduction 6-pdr Rifled Field Gun image. Click for full size.

By Craig Swain, September 1, 2010

3. Reproduction 6-pdr Rifled Field Gun

Pointing through an embrasure of the reconstructed fort.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 10, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 532 times since then and 4 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 10, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.