Name/Title
Union Army's 'The Dictator' Siege MortarEntry/Object ID
1998.10.0067Tags
Civil WarDescription
Black and white photograph depicting the Union Army's 13-inch seacoast mortar known as 'The Dictator' during the Siege of Petersburg, Virginia. Weighing approximately 17,000 pounds, the massive siege mortar was mounted on a specially reinforced railroad car for transport along the Union lines and positioned on a fixed wooden platform for firing. Designed to launch heavy projectiles in a high-arcing trajectory, 'The Dictator' was used to bombard Confederate fortifications during the prolonged siege.Photograph Details
Subject Place
State/Province
VirginiaCountry
United States of AmericaContinent
North AmericaCollection
Photograph CollectionMade/Created
Date made
circa 1864Time Period
19th CenturyLexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Secondary Object Term
Photograph, Black-and-WhiteNomenclature Primary Object Term
PhotographNomenclature Sub-Class
Graphic DocumentsNomenclature Class
Documentary ObjectsNomenclature Category
Category 08: Communication ObjectsCondition
Reason for Exam
InventoryOverall Condition
Fair