Thanks, Keith, point well taken on the 20 pounders from Ricketts @ First Manassas. They were indeed 10 pounders, but I was influenced by Kuntsler's painting of Poague with a 20 pounder Parrott. Should have looked it up.

Back to my original problem: I know that the "Cadet" guns were in circulation after First Manassas, were captured at the fall of Richmond in 1865 and only returned to VMI in the 1870s. They were used by the Cadets for artillery drill up until about 1913 and were put on display afterwards. The idea that they were "Matthew, Mark, Luke and John" which is a nice story but seems to be a common myth, somehow bothers you if you want accuracy. Oh well.

Forgive me for taking advantage, but you're an old "gunner" with the Richmond Howitzers and I need some further information ... Bethel. George Randolph showed up at Yorktown with a 6-gun company of the Richmond Howitizers. I know that he had some Parrotts among his tubes and that these were some of those ordered by Virginia after Jackson, Crutchfield and Hardin tested a 10-pounder at VMI in the fall of 1860.
I can only find reference to one 10-pounder Parrott at Big Bethel. Can you enlighten me? Also, any other tidbits about the battle? The accidental spiking of one of the guns, the withdrawal of it and the redeployment in the same position with the help of the NCMI cadets ... any tidbit.

Thanks again,
William