The Dictator

The dictator mortar is considered to be one of the largest mortars used in the American Civil War. It's weight was reportedly over 17,000 lbs, and it was estimated to hurl 13 inch projectiles weighing 220 lb around 4,325 to 4,752 yards, or over 2.5 miles! It was cast in 1862, at Fort Pitt, Pittsburgh, but wasn't used until 1864 at the siege of Petersburg. Once there, the dictator became part of "The Petersburg Express", as they built specially designed railroad carts to move the mortars along existing and new additions to the Petersburg railroad. These carts were heavily reinforced so that the mortars could actually be fired from the carts.

Interestingly, even though mortars were extremely effective, and had already been around for hundreds of years, although they hadn't always been common, many on both sides of the conflict felt they were dishonorable weapons, which showed no respect or careful discernment upon whom it was unleashed. In the book, "The Last Citadel: Petersburg, Virginia, June 1864-April 1865", Trudeau discusses how:

"Soldiers on both sides hated the mortars. 'These mortar shells were the most disgusting, low-lived things imaginable,' declared W. W. Blackford, a Confederate engineer. 'There was not a particle of the sense of honor about them; they would go rolling about and prying into the most private places in a sneaking sort of way.' 'Mortar shells fly into the works occasionally,' a Maine soldier confirmed, 'at which times we get out in double-quick time."

While the sentiment of these men is admirable, it is undeniable that mortars have been important implements in war and will most likely continue to be in coming years.