"The Dictator" Trail

Historic photo of the Dictator in position behind Battery 5.

David Knox, Library of Congress 03801

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Cellular Signal, Wheelchair Accessible

"The Dictator" was a sizeable 13-inch seacoast mortar used by the Federals during the siege. Although this mortar is not the original one, it is the same weapon from the Civil War era. When the "Dictator" arrived at the siege in July of 1864, positioned here on a rail car to fire on Confederate batteries north of the Appomattox River. Before removal, in September, it had sent 218 shells across the river.