These U.S. Model 1861, 2.9 inch Rifles, known also as 10lb. Parrott Rifles have sang their last chorus and now reside peacefully at the Gettysburg National Military Park. A rifled gun, they could shoot accurately at over a mile with their 2.9 inch 10lb. solid shot or explosive shell out ranging the smooth bore guns by hundreds of yards.
These guns rest forever silently along Seminary Ridge, placed there long after the war to honor those who fought there with like guns, pointed in the same direction from the same place, but no enemy now exist for it to fire on as there is no crew to load, aim, and fire it. Nearly 158 years ago crews loaded, aimed, and fired guns like these from this position on very real and very live targets along the hills and ridges almost a mile away in support of men clad in gray and butternut on a walk toward men clad in blue, many would not return from that short walk once they crossed a road leading to Emmitsburg. Their objective was almost met...almost.
Nikon D700 Nikkor 80-200mm f2.8D