US Army 4.5-Inch Siege Rifles at Chatham Manor

Two US Army 4.5-Inch Siege Rifles are displayed at Chatham Manor on the Rappahannock River across from Fredericksburg. According to Olmstead et al., the two are:

• US Army 4.5-Inch Siege Rifle, Pattern 1861, Number 81 manufactured at Fort Pitt Foundry in 1863. Weight as Manufactured 3,616 pounds.

• US Army 4.5-Inch Siege Rifle, Pattern 1861, Unknown Number (damaged at muzzle).

The display of these two 4.5-Inch Rifles recalls a war time photo of a battery of three of the type limbered but in position overlooking Fredericksburg.