- Joined
- Jan 16, 2015
Federal batteries focus on General G. T. Anderson’s Georgia brigade during its 700-yard advance to the Rose woods (off the south edge of the map). Captain Ames’ battery, out of ammunition, retires through the ranks of the 2nd New Hampshire, to be replaced in the Peach Orchard by Captain Thompson’s Pennsylvania Battery C-F (consolidated) from the Artillery Reserve. The 68th Pennsylvania is relieved from skirmish duty, being partially replaced by the 5th New Jersey and a few U.S. Sharpshooters. The 114th Pennsylvania moves up to fill the gap left by the 141st Pennsylvania. Map depicts positions as of 5 p.m., July 2.
“As … the enemy was advancing a heavy line in front, an order was received … to fall back … by sections from the right” – Captain Nelson Ames, Battery G, 1st New York.
“At five o’clock … Ames’ battery, having exhausted its ammunition, was withdrawn, the men of the Second [New Hampshire] making way for its passage to the rear through its ranks” – Private Martin A. Haynes, Company I, 2nd New Hampshire.
“About five o’clock the rebels [Brigadier General George T. Anderson’s brigade] charged across the fields into the [Rose] woods on our left … We poured a very uncomfortable enfilading fire into them as long as they were in sight … but most of them contrived to get into the woods” – Captain Charles A. Phillips, 5th Massachusetts Battery.
“At about 5 o’clock a heavy column of rebel infantry [Anderson’s brigade] made its appearance in a grain-field about 850 yards in front, moving at quick time toward the woods on our left … A well-directed fire from all the batteries was brought to bear on them” – Major Freeman McGilvery.
“The enemy’s brigades appeared to be in echelon and inclined nearer to us. As each one advanced they received a more galling fire from our line of artillery” – Member of Battery B, 1st New Jersey.
“We arose and struck out in the way direct to the enemy. We were under a heavy and severe fire of artillery” – Private Henry C. Harper, Company E, 8th Georgia.
“As soon as our line appeared in the open, an artillery fire from many more guns than I could locate or count, commenced upon us, and the shells were well aimed … there was a stunning explosion of a shell in the ranks immediately to my left” – 1st Lieutenant John C. Reid, Company I, 8th Georgia.
“Very much exposed to an enfilading fire of the enemy’s batteries” – Captain George Hillyer, 9th Georgia.
“A regiment … came up to relieve us” – Major John A. Danks, 63rd Pennsylvania.
“Covering the front of the Second Division; Seeley’s battery a few paces in the rear of my center” – Colonel William J. Sewell, 5th New Jersey.
“While in this position they [141st Pennsylvania] … suffered no casualties, except that Captain [Joseph H.] Horton was injured by the concussion of a shell bursting above him” – Member of the 141st Pennsylvania.
Sources:
-History of Battery G, First Regiment New York Light Artillery, by Capt. Nelson Ames, Marshalltown, IA: Marshall Printing Company, 1900, pp. 73, 75.
-A History of the Second Regiment New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion, by Martin A. Haynes, Lakeport, NH: 1896, p. 174.
-History of the Fifth Massachusetts Battery, Boston: Luther E. Cowles, Publisher, 1902, pp. 624, 626.
-Official Reports of Lt. Col. Freeman McGilvery, Capt. George Hillyer, Col. William J. Sewell.
-History of Battery B, First New Jersey Artillery, by Michael Hanifen, Ottawa, IL: Republican-Times, Printers, 1905, pp. 70-71.
-Diary of Henry C. Harper, http://home.earthlink.net/~larsrbl/harperhcdiary.htm, 12/09/2000.
-Diary of J. C. Reid, Alabama State Archives, on file at Gettysburg National Military Park.
-Address of Col. John A. Danks, September 11, 1889, Dedication of Monument to the 63rd Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania At Gettysburg, I:387.
-Our Boys in Blue, Heroic Deeds, Sketches and Reminiscences of Bradford County Soldiers in the Civil War, by Clement F. Heverly, Towanda, PA: The Bradford Star Print, 1898, vol. 1, p. 41.
Attachments
Last edited by a moderator: