6 lb. solid shot, Lathams Battery at Gettysburg

[Ethan S.]

Lathams Battery, of North Carolinas Branch Artillery had a unique feature in the battle of Gettyburg. They had the only six pounder gun on both sides during the entire battle. The battery consisted of three Napoleons, one 12 Pounder Howitzer and one 6 Pounder Bronze Gun. According to the plaque on South Confederate Avenue;

"July 2 Took position here 4 p.m. and was actively engaged until night. The Howitzer and the Bronze gun were disabled and two captured 10 pounder Parrotts substituted.

July 3 Engaged in firing upon the Union lines within range. About 5 p.m. aided in repelling cavalry under Brig. Gen. Farnsworth which had charged into the valley between this point and Round Top

July 4 Occupied position near by and west of this until 6 p.m. Then withdrew from the field

Losses not reported in detail."




The two ten pounder parrots that were substituted for the bronze guns were captured from the 4th New York independent battery, posted atop of Devils Den.



The six pounder gun must have enjoyed a fair bit of use, because after the battle, the little six pound spherical shot and shells were found scattered around the Peach Orchard, the Wheatfield, Devils Den, the base of Little Roundtop, and even as far away as the base of Culps Hill (no doubt a hell of a ricochet). This solid shot was found by Al Flickinger in the Triangular Field, as the battery was engaged with Smiths 4th New York battery on top of Devils Den.


I've been wanting one of these six pounder shots from Gettysburg for a while, and the Horse Soldier finally gave me what I've been looking for for many years.

 

[UCVRelics]

Nice solid shot with a great history. Congrats.

 

[Cato3rd]

Great relic and backstory to it. I know the HS is pricey but they always do a good job of pinpointing where the Gburg relics were recovered. The triangular field is one of my favorite spots on the battlefield. I remember as a kid seeing a psychic sitting on a stool in the triangular field with her eyes rolled back into her head and shaking

 

[Ethan S.]

Great relic and backstory to it. I know the HS is pricey but they always do a good job of pinpointing where the Gburg relics were recovered. The triangular field is one of my favorite spots on the battlefield. I remember as a kid seeing a psychic sitting on a stool in the triangular field with her eyes rolled back into her head and shaking

Sometimes, you have to pay for the knowledge that comes with the artifact.