Old Val Verde - Mexia, TX - Static Artillery Displays on Waymarking.com

Once a Texas State Park the Reunion Grounds are now operated by the Texas Historical Commission.

Plaque Text:

"This three-inch ordnance rifle, named the 'Old Val Verde' cannon by the Confederate veterans, became a symbol that connected Texas veterans to their Southern identity and the Lost Cause movement, which sought to bolster camaraderie among Southern veterans and restore the honor of the fallen Confederate soldier.

Confederate troops captured the cannon at the Battle of Mansfield, Louisiana, in April 1864. The cannon campaigned with the Val Verde Battery until 1865 when the Texas artillery unit surrendered at the end of the Civil War. But rather than surrender their cannons to the Federal troops, the Texas soldiers dismantled them and buried the metal firing tubes at Fairfield, Texas.

This artillery piece was the latest in weapons technology in 1860. It fired a shell that weighed about eight pounds. The spiral grooves in the barrel called rifling, that spun the projectile through the air for greater distance and accuracy than a cannonball.

By 1885, the 'Old Val Verde' had been recovered and placed on a carriage built by the veterans. Today, the historic firing tube has been conserved and sits on a metal reproduction carriage."

What type of artillery is this?: Ordnance Rifle Where is this artillery located?: Park What military of the world used this device?: Civil War Soldiers Parking location to view this Waymark: N 31° 37.933 W 096° 33.601 Cost?: 4.00 (listed in local currency) Date artillery was in use: Not listed Date artillery was placed on display: Not listed Artillery is no longer operational: Not Listed Still may work: Not Listed Are there any geocaches at this location?: Not listed

Visit Instructions:
Two pictures are required for this Waymark. Please take a close up picture of the artillery. Take a second with the artillery in the distance and capture as much of the surroundings as possible. Name the Waymark with first the name of the area and second what the artillery is. An example would be if it were a cannon in front of the Montgomery Armory you would name the Waymark: Montgomery Armory Cannon.

Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log User Rating   12/05/2021 WalksfarTX visited it