Batteries were consolidated together and fought as one unit at Gettysburg. However, it was an “unhappy union,” which ultimately led to both units raising separate monuments on the battlefield. Therefore, this battery is honored by two monuments (one to Hampton’s Battery and one to Thompson’s Battery, as well as a secondary monument to both batteries).
Hampton’s Battery
About the Main Monument
When was it dedicated? Installed between 1889 and 1893.
What is it made out of? Sculpture: bronze; Base: granite with bronze elements.
What size is it? Sculpture: approx. 5 ft. 8 in. x 1 ft. 10 in. x 1 ft. 10 in.; Base: approx. 6 ft. 2 in. x 4 ft. 8 in. x 4 ft. 8 in.
Who made it? Hamilton, Murray, sculptor. Alfred E. Windsor & Company, fabricator.
What does it depict? Full-length uniformed artilleryman stands on a tapered pedestal and base. The figure holds a long rammer in both hands in a diagonal position, the tip poised above his proper left shoulder. There is an elaborate relief seal on the front of the pedestal. The main feature is a 6′ tall bronze statue of an artilleryman holding a rammer. The base of the monument is made of Westerly granite. The statue was sculpted by Murrary Hamilton.
What does it honor? It indicates the position held by Hampton’s Battery between 5:00 and 6:00 P.M. on July 2, 1863.
How is it inscribed? F. PENNA LIGHT ARTILLERY/ORGANIZED AT PITTSBURGH/HAMPTON’S BATTERY
When was this photograph taken? April 15, 2011.
About the Main Monument
When was it dedicated? Installed between 1886 and 1893.
What is it made out of? Sculpture: granite; Base: granite with bronze relief.
What size is it? Overall: approx. 48 x 48 x 72 in.
Who made it? Unknown, sculptor. Ryegate Granite Company, fabricator.
What does it depict? A draped cannon stands on a rough-hewn base. Cannon balls and other accouterments are visible amid the drapery and behind the cannon’s wheel. A bronze State Seal is affixed to the lower half of the wheel. Monument is a sculptured likeness of a granite cannon draped with cloth and surrounded with balls set on a rough hewn base. The cloth on the west side of the cannon is polished and incised with an inscription. The east side of the cloth contains an inscription and bronze tablet with the state seal. Overall height is six feet. A cannon is set on the east and west sides of the monument.
What does it honor? It indicates the position held by Thompson’s Battery between 5:00 and 6:00 P.M. on July 2, 1863.
How is it inscribed? BATTERY C PENNA. LIGHT ARTILLERY/THOMPSON’S
When was this photograph taken? August 17, 2007.
Where are these monuments located? Monuments are side by side. Located Gettysburg National Military Park, Peach orchard, south of Wheatfield Road and east of Emmitsburg Road, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 17325.
Are they located along the NPS Auto Tour route? No.
Have these monuments been moved or changed? These monuments have not been moved or otherwise altered.
Monument Details, Alternative Views, and Contextual Views
Secondary Monuments and Markers
Monument Title: Secondary Monument – July 3, 1863 Position
Photographed: May 4, 2010.
Location: Hancock Avenue. Location marked on the map above by a RED pushpin.
Description: Commemorative bronze plaque is recessed into an upright smooth and rough-hewn marker. A shield emblem in relief is the central element of the plaque. Dedicated July 3, 1885. It was erected by surviving members of Hampton’s Battery and indicates the position held by Hampton’s Battery C & F when they assisted in the repulse of Longstreet’s Assault on July 3, 1863.
At Gettysburg
The Pennsylvania Independent Batteries C and F were also known as Thompson’s and Hampton’s Batteries. During the battle of Gettysburg, it served as a member of McGilvery’s Brigade in the Artillery Reserve, Army of the Potomac.
Commander: Capt. James Thompson (1821-1906)
Number Engaged: 105 men, 6 Ordnance rifles
Casualties: 2 killed, 23 wounded, 3 missing
Officers Killed at Gettysburg:
- 2nd Lieutenant Joseph L. Miller, Battery F, mortally wounded on July 2
Soldiers Buried in the Pennsylvania Plot of the Gettysburg National Cemetery:
- Pvt. Jacob Keirsh, Battery F, D-28
- Pvt. Albsalom Link, Battery C, A-64
- Pvt. Hugh Purdy, Battery C, C-84
After Action Report: After Action Report of Capt. James Thompson (will open a pop up window).
Medal of Honor Winners: CARLISLE, CASPER R. Rank and organization: Private, Company F, Independent Pennsylvania Light Artillery. Place and date: At Gettysburg, Pa., 2 July 1863. Entered service at: Allegheny County, Pa. Birth: Allegheny County, Pa. Date of issue: 21 December 1892. Citation: Saved a gun of his battery under heavy musketry fire, most of the horses being killed and the drivers wounded.
General Information
Raised: Pittsburgh.
Regimental History ~ Dyer’s Compendium of the War of the Rebellion:
Battery C – Thompson’s
Organized at Pittsburgh November 6, 1861. Moved to Washington, D.C., November, 1861. Attached to Military District of Washington until May, 1862. Ord’s Division, Dept. of the Rappahannock, to June, 1862. 2nd Division, 3rd Army Corps, Army of Virginia, to September, 1862. 2nd Division, 1st Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to June, 1863. 1st Volunteer Brigade, Artillery Reserve, Army of the Potomac, to November, 1863. Artillery Brigade, 2nd Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to March, 1864. Camp Barry, Defenses of Washington, 22nd Army Corps, to June, 1865.
SERVICE.–Duty in the Defenses of Washington, D. C., until May, 1862. Duty at Front Royal, Catlett’s Station, Warrenton and Waterloo, until August. Battle of Cedar Mountain August 9. Pope’s Campaign in Northern Virginia August 10-September 2. Crooked Run August 12. Fords of the Rappahannock August 21-23. Thoroughfare Gap August 28. Bull Run August 29-30. Chantilly September 1. Maryland Campaign September 6-24. Battle of Antietam, Md., September 16-17. Duty at Sharpsburg, Md., until October 30. Movement to Falmouth, Va., October 30-November 19. Battle of Fredericksburg December 12-15. “Mud March” January 20-24, 1863. At Falmouth and Belle Plains until April. Chancellorsville Campaign April 27-May 6. Operations at Pollock’s Mill Creek April 29-May 2. Fitzhugh’s Crossing April 29-30. Chancellorsville May 2-5. Gettysburg (Pa.) Campaign June 11-July 24. Advance to line of the Rapidan September 13-17. Bristoe Campaign October 9-22. Advance to line of the Rappahannock November 7-8. Mine Run Campaign November 26-December 2. Demonstration on the Rapidan February 6-7, 1864. Morton’s Ford February 6-7. Ordered to Defenses of Washington and duty at Camp Barry and in Defenses south of the Potomac until June, 1865. Mustered out June 30, 1865. Battery lost during service 1 Officer and 2 Enlisted men killed and 21 Enlisted men by disease. Total 24.
Battery F – Hampton’s
Organized at Williamsport December 7, 1861. Joined Banks on Upper Potomac December 15, 1861. Attached to Banks’ Division, Army of the Potomac, to March, 1862. Artillery, 1st Division, Banks’ 5th Army Corps, and Dept. of the Shenandoah to June, 1862. Artillery, 2nd Army Corps, Army of Virginia, to September, 1862. Artillery, 2nd Division, 12th Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to May, 1863. 4th Volunteer Brigade, Artillery Reserve, Army of the Potomac, to October, 1863. Artillery Brigade, 2nd Army Corps, to March, 1864. Camp Barry, Defenses of Washington, 22nd Corps, to May, 1864. 2nd Brigade, DeRussy’s Division, 22nd Corps, to July, 1864. Reserve Division, Dept. of West Virginia, to January, 1865. 1st Separate Brigade, 3rd Division, West Virginia, to March, 1865. Artillery Reserve, Army of the Shenandoah, to April, 1865. 3rd Brigade, Hardins’ Division, 22nd Corps, Dept. of Washington, to June, 1865.
SERVICE.–Duty on the Upper Potomac until February, 1862. Advance on Winchester March 1-12. Occupation of Winchester March 12. Pursuit of Jackson up the Valley March 24-April 27. Operations in the Shenandoah Valley May 15-June 17. Action at Newtown and Middletown May 24. Retreat to Williamsport May 24-26. Battle of Winchester May 25. Reconnaissance to Front Royal June 29-30. Luray June 30. At Front Royal until August. Pope’s Campaign in Northern Virginia August 16-September 2. Sulphur Springs August 24. Bull Run August 30. Chantilly September 1. Maryland Campaign September. Battle of Antietam September 16-17. Moved to Harper’s Ferry September 19, and duty there until December. Near Snickersville November 8. Reconnaissance to Rippon November 9. Reconnaissance to Winchester December 2-6. March to Fredericksburg December 12-16. “Mud March” January 20-24, 1863. At Stafford Court House until April 27. Chancellorsville Campaign April 27-May 6. Battle of Chancellorsville May 1-5. Gettysburg (Pa.) Campaign June 11-July 24. Battle of Gettysburg, Pa., July 1-3. Advance from the Rappahannock to the Rapidan September 13-17. Bristoe Campaign November 9-22. Auburn and Bristoe October 14. Advance to line of the Rappahannock November 7-8. Mine Run Campaign November 26-December 2. Demonstration on the Rapidan February 6-7, 1864. Morton’s Ford February 6-7. Duty at Camp Barry, Washington, D.C., and in the Defenses of Washington south of the Potomac until July. Duty at Harper’s Ferry, W. Va., until April, 1865, and in the Defenses of Washington until June, 1865. Mustered out June 26, 1865. Battery lost during service 2 Officers and 8 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 14 Enlisted men by disease. Total 24.
Pennsylvania at Gettysburg
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