The Widow Blakely

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The " Widow Blakely " was a 7.5 inch ordnance rifle that was used in the defense of Vicksburg. On May 22, 1863 one of it's shells exploded in the barrel while it was firing at a Union gunboat. The explosion took the end of the muzzle off but left the rest of the tube intact. The ragged ends were cut smooth and the rifle was used as a mortar during the rest of the siege. After the trimming of the muzzle the overall length is about 100 inches. Originally the tube would have been about 124 inches long. It was taken to West Point Military Academy as a war trophy and remained there for ninety-six years until its return to Vicksburg.

 

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On May 22, 1863, the "Widow Blakely" was manned by a detachment of Company 'H', 1st Louisiana Heavy Artillery, commanded by Lieutenant A. L. Slack. On that day the Widow, mounted overlooking the Mississippi River, engaged four iron-clads and one wooden gunboat with the help of nine other guns, helping to heavily damage two of the ironclads, and repulse the rest of the attacking force.