Where were Watson's guns?

[infomanpa]

As @frontrank2 's post reminded me, I wanted to ask you Gettysburg fans a question about the location of the 5th US Artillery, Battery I, when the 39th NY infantry re-captured their guns from the 21st MS. As many of you know, we usually hear more about the heroic stand of Bigelow's artillery in front of the Trostle farm, before they finally gave way to the 21st MS of Barksdale's brigade. As as continuation of this action, the 21st MS advanced to its next target, the 4 guns of Lt. Malbone Watson's 5th US Art, Battery I. His battery had been placed there by an unknown officer of Sickles' Third Corps. At some time after Watson abandoned his guns to the Rebels, the 39th NY split off from Willard's brigade and re-captured the guns.

So, where did this action take place? On every map that I examined, the position of Watson's guns are located in a field just north of a farm lane. My picture of this location is marked on my below diagram. Notice that there are no markers or monuments in the picture. However, there are monuments to both of these units about 250 yards to the north, as also marked on my diagram.

So, which is it? I assume that the park monuments were placed by the veterans. Does anyone know the basis for an alternate location as determined by the mapmakers? I can't find any documents to justify it.

You can see the farm lane in the distance, marked by the fence.

 

[Hussar Yeomanry]

Very good question and one I hadn't considered before. I must admit I tend to think the mapmakers might be right and perhaps the monuments are for the 3rd Day position rather than the 2nd. I say this because I don't think the 21st Miss got as far north as the memorials, they effectively moving along or at least immediately parrallel to the lane from what I have read. On the other hand I would suggest that while north/ south might be incorrect I think the east/ west alignment seems reasonable.

(I am willing to be corrected on this and look forward to seeing what others say).

 

[Rob Galbraith]

You are correct. The monument is north of where the battery was actually placed during the battle. I recall from a tour that I took (they are melding together and I think it may have been with Karlton Smith RE: Willard's Brigade), that there was a rock quarry dug after the war in the correct position where the battery fought near the road. When the veterans returned, they were adamant they were located on a knoll and chose the position where the monument is now located. It was not considered until later scholarship revealed the veterans were mistaken about the position because of the changes in topography by the landowners.

EDIT: As I look at it more and try to remember, it may have also related to the fact the farm lane may have been moved and I am trying to remember if the quarry may have even been related to the construction of the road. This tour was likely 15 years ago at this point.

 

[rpkennedy]

Watson's Battery was overrun by the 21st Mississippi just north of the Trostle farm lane southeast of the house itself and where Bigelow made his last stand.

I believe that the battery was in the rear on July 3 and wouldn't have been on the field. The monument is simply in the wrong place.

Ryan

 

[infomanpa]

I tend to think the mapmakers might be right and perhaps the monuments are for the 3rd Day position rather than the 2nd.
(I am willing to be corrected on this and look forward to seeing what others say).

From the inscription on the 39th NY tablet, which states that it marks the position of the gun re-capture, it would have to be referring to the 2nd day.

 

[infomanpa]

Watson's Battery was overrun by the 21st Mississippi just north of the Trostle farm lane east of the house itself and where Bigelow made his last stand.

From my map above and others that I've seen, it would appear that Watson's Battery was more south of the Trostle Farm or at least due east.

 

[jameswoods]

For additional information on Watson's battery, check out last year's thread, "Sorting out the batteries in the Peach Orchard on July 2nd".

Jim

 

[rpkennedy]

From my map above and others that I've seen, it would appear that Watson's Battery was more south of the Trostle Farm or at least due east.

You are right. Southeast, not east.

Ryan

 

[Tom Elmore]

Both Battery I, 5th U.S. and Battery C, 3rd Massachusetts from the Fifth Corps artillery brigade were taken by Third Corps staff officers who were scouring the field on July 2 looking for reinforcements to bolster their crumbling position. The two batteries were poorly placed. Battery C, 3rd Massachusetts never had a chance to fire a shot before it was overrun.

As I recall some accounts seem to suggest that Watson's Battery I, 5th U.S. was initially placed near Battery C, 3rd Massachusetts, but given the absence of specific details verification is not yet possible. Battery I, 5th U.S. may have indeed occupied an interim position prior to moving to the spot where it was overrun by the 21st Mississippi, but it did not go to the Peach Orchard as a separate post has explored.

When examining the elevation contours in this area, it is not easy to find higher ground that looks promising for a battery placement. I recall that it was the construction of United States Avenue that supposedly threw off the veterans when they sought to identify their battery's position in relation to that road. A few years ago it was the Friends (now the Gettysburg Foundation) who reconstructed the lane and fences as they stood at the time of the battle, running southeasterly from the Trostle buildings, as shown on the above map. It would make sense that Watson's guns would be fairly close to this farm lane, along which other units passed, and it does appear from extant accounts that the 39th New York had to "round the corner" of the woods before the battery and the 21st Mississippi came into view. If Watson's battery was actually where its monument now stands, it should have been noticed by members of the 125th New York, and/or by McGilvery's tenuous line of artillery, but it was not. All of this is rather clearly depicted on the above overlay. However, in my research I also found a spot about 125 yards south of the lane and about 85 yards east of Plum Run that had potential. It would have kept the 21st Mississippi south of the lane.

 

[Yankeedave]

Do we know from what direction the battery was overrun?

 

[infomanpa]

I recall that it was the construction of United States Avenue that supposedly threw off the veterans when they sought to identify their battery's position in relation to that road.

That makes sense. Is there any documentation to justify the theory that the guns were actually placed near the farm lane?