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Re: The railroad ironclad at cold harbor

Gents:

I rather think the photograph you have seen of a rail mounted gun, was the "Dictator" which was a large mortar, though not of the Coehorn design, and mounted on a flatbed railroad wagon, the gun weighed about 17,000lb. and a typical shell weighed in at about 770lbs

The gun crew together with the mortar, ammunition etc, was towed by train to a level location close to the battle and fired when needed, the engine was left attached in case of counter fire.

The photograph I have was taken during the battle for Petersburg.

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The railroad ironclad at cold harbor
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