Troops surrounded the Parrott Rifle, red edging on their uniforms marking them as cannoneers.

Wednesday, May 09, 2001

Troops surrounded the Parrott Rifle, red edging on their uniforms marking them as cannoneers.

Each man stood his place to swab the barrel, ram bags of powder home, set fuses, place charges, take aim and fire.

The nine-man artillery crew, standing beside Sixth Street in Ironton, weren’t waging war. They were explaining the re-enactment procedures of Battery L from Portsmouth – the Civil War group of Lawrence and Scioto county men and boys who fought for the North.

Their re-enactment Tuesday held special significance for the Veterans Memorial Committee as members stood watching on the lawn of the Lawrence County Museum.

The four Parrott Rifles being restored by the committee each had a similar crew when they were in use during the war between the states.

The rifle used Tuesday will remain on display at the museum through Ironton’s Memorial Day observances.

Another rifle, on display at Liebert, will likely be carried through the parade.

Later this summer, the rifles will take their place at the committee’s memorial at Woodland Cemetery – complete with flagpole, lighted monument and path of bricks honoring veterans, all overlooking U.S. 52.

A groundbreaking for the memorial is being planned for June 14 – Flag Day.

Presentations like Battery L’s re-enactment marked the Veterans Memorial Committee’s monthly meeting Tuesday.

Jill Roseberry Dean’s quilted wallhanging, "Undivided Attention," made for the committee, was donated to the museum for display.

The project was her way of assisting the committee’s work, Mrs. Dean said.

Committee chairman Frank McCown also showed members present some of the items found in Memorial Hall, the old city building. Items included a banner used to honor World War I veterans, an old military bugle and 13 sashes of unknown origin.

The artifacts were also donated to the museum.

The city had removed all the documents and items it had needed in past years, but many things remained, said Ironton Mayor Bob Cleary, who is also a committee member.

"These kind of artifacts are priceless here," Cleary said. "I’m really happy they can be preserved."