6 lb Solid Shot - Gettysburg - Latham's Battery

[rlbrutke]

Just this month, while on vacation, I purchased a 3.67" - 6lb'r from The Horse Soldier in Gettysburg. This was said to be dug by a local many, many years ago. I spoke to him via telephone when I got back home(he's in his 90's), and he said that it came from the vicinity of what use to be called the "Brown Farm" off of W. Confederate Rd. We didn't get into any other details as to an exact location, so am I to assume one of several things from that statement? Was it at or near the Peach Orchard, Plum Run, the Wheatfield, Devil's Den...or was it dropped near Latham's Battery and never actually shot. From it's formation, it has several flaws, dings and dents...so I am assuming that it has been shot. Does the description of the "Brown Farm" give any further clues? How far toward the battle sites stated above did the "Brown Farm" extend? If it was found closer to the Battery position itself, why so many deformations, as if it has been shot. It's not perfectly spherical with simple surface rust & pits...it does have several dings and a couple of decent sized dents that says that it has been whacked fairly hard by something and not just dropped off of a supply wagon and left behind. Is it perhaps the diminishing memory of a 90 year old man that prevents the exact location from being remembered? Because, if shot, it should have traveled to a more memorable spot like Devil's Den or other...Correct? Any thoughts from those who have more knowledge about the area of Latham's Battery and what could have once been called the "Brown Farm"?

 

[gc45]

No answer for you but it looks very cool and well displayed. Would love to have it but alas, a pipe dream now.

 

[Kurtlg]

The Brown farm he is referring to was also called the Brown ranch and was a cattle operation near Confederate Ave where AP Hill's headquarters were. It may still be in operation.

 

[mwalker6043]

The Brown farm he is referring to was also called the Brown ranch and was a cattle operation near Confederate Ave where AP Hill's headquarters were. It may still be in operation.

I believe the ABT or the park own or have rights to it now.

 

[Tom Elmore]

I am aware of two six-pound solid shots that were reportedly found on the battlefield, one recovered near Devil's Den and the other in the Wheatfield. The distance traveled in both instances was approximately 1,130 yards, which I understand happens to nearly match what the manual for this type of piece records as the expected range (1,140 yards) when the barrel is elevated three degrees.

 

[2ndDEboy]

Just this month, while on vacation, I purchased a 3.67" - 6lb'r from The Horse Soldier in Gettysburg. This was said to be dug by a local many, many years ago. I spoke to him via telephone when I got back home(he's in his 90's), and he said that it came from the vicinity of what use to be called the "Brown Farm" off of W. Confederate Rd. We didn't get into any other details as to an exact location, so am I to assume one of several things from that statement? Was it at or near the Peach Orchard, Plum Run, the Wheatfield, Devil's Den...or was it dropped near Latham's Battery and never actually shot. From it's formation, it has several flaws, dings and dents...so I am assuming that it has been shot. Does the description of the "Brown Farm" give any further clues? How far toward the battle sites stated above did the "Brown Farm" extend? If it was found closer to the Battery position itself, why so many deformations, as if it has been shot. It's not perfectly spherical with simple surface rust & pits...it does have several dings and a couple of decent sized dents that says that it has been whacked fairly hard by something and not just dropped off of a supply wagon and left behind. Is it perhaps the diminishing memory of a 90 year old man that prevents the exact location from being remembered? Because, if shot, it should have traveled to a more memorable spot like Devil's Den or other...Correct? Any thoughts from those who have more knowledge about the area of Latham's Battery and what could have once been called the "Brown Farm"?

View attachment 553548

Brown farm is behind the Virginia and Mississippi monuments center rebel line of pickets charge also this area served as the ANV artillery reserves so possibly not fired it could have been exposed to elements causing the dents or perhaps a ricochete could have been fired into the PO or WF area but a rock and ricochet to the brown farm

 

[2ndDEboy]

Just this month, while on vacation, I purchased a 3.67" - 6lb'r from The Horse Soldier in Gettysburg. This was said to be dug by a local many, many years ago. I spoke to him via telephone when I got back home(he's in his 90's), and he said that it came from the vicinity of what use to be called the "Brown Farm" off of W. Confederate Rd. We didn't get into any other details as to an exact location, so am I to assume one of several things from that statement? Was it at or near the Peach Orchard, Plum Run, the Wheatfield, Devil's Den...or was it dropped near Latham's Battery and never actually shot. From it's formation, it has several flaws, dings and dents...so I am assuming that it has been shot. Does the description of the "Brown Farm" give any further clues? How far toward the battle sites stated above did the "Brown Farm" extend? If it was found closer to the Battery position itself, why so many deformations, as if it has been shot. It's not perfectly spherical with simple surface rust & pits...it does have several dings and a couple of decent sized dents that says that it has been whacked fairly hard by something and not just dropped off of a supply wagon and left behind. Is it perhaps the diminishing memory of a 90 year old man that prevents the exact location from being remembered? Because, if shot, it should have traveled to a more memorable spot like Devil's Den or other...Correct? Any thoughts from those who have more knowledge about the area of Latham's Battery and what could have once been called the "Brown Farm"?

View attachment 553548

Welcome to the club I have 3 from the devils den area

 

[2ndDEboy]

Just this month, while on vacation, I purchased a 3.67" - 6lb'r from The Horse Soldier in Gettysburg. This was said to be dug by a local many, many years ago. I spoke to him via telephone when I got back home(he's in his 90's), and he said that it came from the vicinity of what use to be called the "Brown Farm" off of W. Confederate Rd. We didn't get into any other details as to an exact location, so am I to assume one of several things from that statement? Was it at or near the Peach Orchard, Plum Run, the Wheatfield, Devil's Den...or was it dropped near Latham's Battery and never actually shot. From it's formation, it has several flaws, dings and dents...so I am assuming that it has been shot. Does the description of the "Brown Farm" give any further clues? How far toward the battle sites stated above did the "Brown Farm" extend? If it was found closer to the Battery position itself, why so many deformations, as if it has been shot. It's not perfectly spherical with simple surface rust & pits...it does have several dings and a couple of decent sized dents that says that it has been whacked fairly hard by something and not just dropped off of a supply wagon and left behind. Is it perhaps the diminishing memory of a 90 year old man that prevents the exact location from being remembered? Because, if shot, it should have traveled to a more memorable spot like Devil's Den or other...Correct? Any thoughts from those who have more knowledge about the area of Latham's Battery and what could have once been called the "Brown Farm"?

View attachment 553548

Here is the brown farm the green fields on map

 

[rlbrutke]

Thanks, everyone, for the comments. What I have gleaned from my limited research time, thus far. Please feel free to support this information or correct me with more solid facts or elaboration.

1. This solid shot (3.67" x 6 lb) was fired from a Confederate M1841 "Bronze" Field Gun. There was only 1 of these guns being used during the Battle of Gettysburg and that was during the late afternoon of July 2nd. It was disabled in quick order by the Union, after only firing about 30 rounds.
2. Latham's Artillery Battery was positioned on the battlefield side of Emmitsburg Rd, near S. Confederate Rd. and what is now the Eisenhower Farm Rd. and was set up to fire upon The Peach Orchard (1,235 yrds), The Wheatfield & Plum Run (both about 1,330 yrds) and Devil's Den (1,075 yrds). It seems to me that Little Round Top (1,607 yrds) would have been the target of the larger 12 lb Napoleons or the 10 lb Parrotts, as that distance is above the capabilities of the M1841.
3. Google AI...one time only (I haven't been able to recreate that search, but did print it out before I left the page) ...said that the land near Latham's Battery was once called Brown's Farm. This matches up to what I was told by the relic hunter who found this piece of ordnance decades ago. He said that the Brown's Farm was adjacent to what is now the Eisenhower Farm and that, when digging, he had conversations with the nearby Secret Service. Again, a cool story from a knowledgeable Old Timer. Please note, that this Brown's Farm is not to be misconstrued with the Brown Ranch, on Redding Rd., some 4 miles North on W. Confederate Rd. near Pickett's Charge and the monuments pointed out by 2ndDEboy.
4. Speculation time....If this was found nearer to the Battery position and not as far downrange as WF, PR, PO or DD...then this round may actually be a Non-Fired piece of ordnance that received its battle scars when the Union took out Latham's Bronze Field Gun ??? I'm sure that once the gun or stockpile was hit, there was likely no cleanup on aisle 9 and there could have been several of these 6 lb shot scattered from Hell to Breakfast.

We'll never know the exact what and where, but I sure am enjoying the path of history that this relic has sent me down. I'm gonna try again to contact the gentleman who dug this round out of the ground and try to see if his recollections have cleared up a bit since I last spoke with him.

Keep the ideas coming, as they are greatly appreciated!

 

[rlbrutke]

Welcome to the club I have 3 from the devils den area

View attachment 553625

Very nice. That's a great & rare collection. Mine will be furthered displayed with the 1859 Sharp's Berdan Rifle that I just picked up. More to come on that acquisition.

 

[cwbuff]

This is my 6 pounder, dug near Fredericksburg. Plus some pics of Latham's North Carolina Battery at Gettysburg.

 

[rlbrutke]

This is my 6 pounder, dug near Fredericksburg. Plus some pics of Latham's North Carolina Battery at Gettysburg.
View attachment 553635View attachment 553636View attachment 553637View attachment 553638View attachment 553639View attachment 553640

Very nice!

 

[brdmbru]

Thanks all for sharing, fascinating stuff! Makes you want one, that's for sure.

 

[Jeff in Ohio]

Very nice. That's a great & rare collection. Mine will be furthered displayed with the 1859 Sharp's Berdan Rifle that I just picked up. More to come on that acquisition.

We would all like to learn about your Sharps Berdan Rifle.

 

[rlbrutke]

We would all like to learn about your Sharps Berdan Rifle.

It just arrived last week, so I still have to get some professional pics taken for a better display. (Just had some done with my Colt 1877 DA revolver series - Rainmaker, Thunderer & Lightning.)
I had it shipped from Gettysburg, along with the Cannonball. The Berdan in question is Serial 57290 - so a legit, documented Berdan. Here is a quick sneak pic, as I'll try to post more later in its' own Forum Thread.

 

[gc45]

Love that rifle! looking forward to your future writeup..

 

[rlbrutke]

Love that rifle! looking forward to your future writeup..

Yeah….I was pretty excited when I found it while on vacation in Gettysburg. Right place at the right time.

 

[cwbuff]

Link to old Gettysburg Daily story on Latham's Battery

 

[rlbrutke]

Link to old Gettysburg Daily story on Latham's Battery

Thanks for the link.