US 42-pounder Rifled Field Gun -- Navy Circle, Vicksburg NMP, Vicksburg MS
N 32° 18.759 W 090° 54.006
15S E 697690 N 3577028
An 1898-vintage US War Department blue table preserves the history and heroism of Battery Benton, which operated here during the 1863 Siege of Vicksburg with 2 42-pounder rifled field guns
Waymark Code: WMWCWR
Location: Mississippi, United States
Date Posted: 08/15/2017
Views: 3
A US War Department blue tablet erected at this site on Navy Circle in 1898 describes the actions of Battery Benton during the siege of Vicksburg.
The tablet reads as follows:
"U. S.
BATTERY BENTON
ACTING MASTER J. FRANK REED
A detachment of Battery E, 1st Missouri Light Artillery, under Lieut. Joseph B. Atwater, and a detail of enlisted men of the 34th Iowa Infantry, all under Acting Master J. Frank Reed of the gunboat "Benton," served two 42-pounder rifled guns in this position, Battery Benton, from the morning of July 1 to the end of the siege, July 4, 1863. A shell from the Confederate mortar at South Fort exploded in the battery, July 1, killing 2 and badly wounding 4 enlisted men of the 34th Iowa infantry."
What type of artillery is this?: 42-pounder rifled field gun
Where is this artillery located?: Park
What military of the world used this device?: United States Army
Date artillery was in use: 07/01/1863
Date artillery was placed on display: 01/01/1898
Parking location to view this Waymark: N 32° 18.713 W 090° 54.006
Cost?: 0.00 (listed in local currency)
Artillery is no longer operational: yes
Still may work: no
Are there any geocaches at this location?: No
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Visit Instructions:
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