While the breechloading feature of the Ellsworth gun would make it unique the mechanism was designed in such a manner that it did not appear to be a breechloader to the casual observer unless you witnessed the gun in action or had a personal knownledge of the weapon itself.

Of the report writers, certainly Lt Laflar, who was battery commander, would have known this and maybe Col Pace of the 1st Indiana Cavalry. However I doubt that any of the higher level commanders such as Col Powell Clayton, who was Brigade Commander, would have known or if they did would have cared. At that level of reports Col. Clayton may have only been interested in results, preformance and limitation.

Mr. Bob Hubbard has built a full scale, fully functional, replica of the Ellsworth Gun mounted on a Praire Carriage. He was kind enough to send me a photograph of his gun, which is why I am able to make the comments that I do. As far as I am aware Mr. Hubbards Gun is the only mounted and fully functional weapon in the world. Certainly there are several barrels in various museums including the Gettysburg Visitor Center Museum, which I have also examined firsthand.