Two “State of Connecticut” marked 3.8-Inch James Rifles at Manassas
Two 3.8-Inch James Rifles marked “STATE OF CONN.” are part of a display on Matthews Hill at Manassas National Battlefield Park
Two 3.8-Inch James Rifles marked “STATE OF CONN.” are part of a display on Matthews Hill at Manassas National Battlefield Park. Both were cast by Ames Manufacturing Company of Chicopee, Massachusetts in 1862. They are part of a display representing the 2nd Rhode Island Battery which took a position near this point on July 21st, 1861. The 2nd Rhode Island Battery was equipped with six James Rifles.
The James Rifle, named after its inventor Militia General and US Senator Charles Tillinghast James, is a Bronze 3.8-Inch Rifled Cannon. It was developed to fire a projectile also invented by James. It is also called a 14-Pounder James Rifle. Some earlier James Rifles have the same external form as the US Army 1841 6-Pounder. These are two of the later “Type 2” James Rifles that have a simpler external form similar to the wrought iron US Army Ordnance Rifle.
“STATE OF CONN.” is stamped on these two rifles.
The interpretive sign on Matthews Hill describing the 2nd Rhode Island Battery and the US Army advance from this point.
