US 13-Inch Mortar in Hartford, Connecticut
US 13-Inch Mortar on the grounds of the Connecticut State Capitol in Hartford
A US 13-Inch Mortar is displayed on the grounds of the Connecticut State Capitol in Hartford, Connecticut. It is placed upon a pedestal dedicated to the 1st Connecticut Heavy Artillery which was originally formed as the 4th Connecticut Infantry in 1861 and which was mustered out of service as a heavy artillery regiment in 1865. Many thanks to friend-of-the-page James Murray for these photos!
The mortar was manufactured at Fort Pitt Foundry in 1862. Original weight was 17,197 pounds.
The plaque on the front of the pedestal claims that the very mortar displayed was in used by the regiment in front of Petersburg in 1864-1865 and was given the nickname “The Petersburg Express”.
According to Olmstead et al., “The Petersburg Express” was the nickname of the railcar used to move the famous “Dictator” mortar at Petersburg. However, Olmstead does not indicate that the Hartford mortar is likely to be the “Dictator.” Regardless of the wartime history of the mortar, the monument is impressive.
US 13-Inch Mortars were designed for US Army use in seacoast defenses. During the Civil War, they were used by the US Army in siege works. They were used by the US Navy aboard mortar schooners and barges.
“Dictator” on the “Petersburg Express”
