Information Panel: Dahlgren Boat Howitzers

Information Panel: Dahlgren Boat Howitzers

Photo: NPS / Claire Hassler

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Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits

First Battle of Manassas, July 21, 1861, 10:45 a.m.

As one of the first regiments to arrive in the nation's capital at the outbreak of war, the 71st New York State Militia received immediate orders from Gen. Winfield Scott to guard the Washington Navy Yard. Over the coming weeks, the militiamen joined several expeditions down the Potomac River and saw action against Confederate shore batteries near Aquia Creek. In recognition of their service, Capt. John Dahlgren, U.S.N., presented the regiment with a pair of 12-pounder boat howitzers.

The commander of the 71st NYSM assigned the guns to Company I, led by Capt. Augustus V.H. Ellis, who drilled the men incessantly in their use. The boat howitzers, designed by Dahlgren in 1849, offered versatility for amphibious operations. The smoothbore guns could be mounted in the bow of a landing craft and quickly transferred to a field carriage for service ashore.

As the Union army marched toward Manassas Junction, Company I wheeled the howitzers by hand approximately 30 miles from the Navy Yard. Each soldier of the company carried two rounds of ammunition- an extra 24 lbs. per man! The guns rendered effective service here on Matthews Hill alongside the Rhode Island battery. In the frenzied retreat that afternoon, the howitzers were abandoned and captured near Cub Run. In addition to the loss of their boat howitzers, the 71st NYSM suffered 62 causalities during the battle. 

These two howitzers were donated to Manassas National Battlefield Park by Fairfax County, and their restoration was supported by the Manassas Battlefield Trust.