The First Pennsylvania Artillery Battery B (Cooper’s) is honored by a monument, a tablet, and two position markers (July 1 and East Cemetery Hill) at Gettysburg.
About the Main Monument
When was it dedicated? Sept. 11, 1889.
What is it made out of? Sculpture: granite; Base: granite.
What size is it? Sculpture: approx. H. 11 ft. 5 in.; Base: approx. W. 7 ft. 6 in. x D. 5 ft. 3 in.
Who made it? Sholl and Robinson, fabricator.
What does it depict? Marker stands on a tiered, rough-hewn base. A polished rifle tube sits atop the marker on a rough-hewn plinth. A relief of the State Seal is affixed to the upper front face of the piece. Monument is a three-part stepped shaft with a tiered cap topped with a stone cannon tube and set on a 7.4×5.6 foot rough cut base. The middle part of the shaft is polished stone with incised inscriptions on four sides and the upper part is smooth cut pediment top. Overall height is 11.5 feet.
What does it honor? It marks the position held by Cooper’s Battery from the evening of July 1, 1863, until relieved by Ricketts on the evening of July 2, after a duel with Nelson and Latimer on Benner’s Hill.
How is it inscribed? COOPER’S/BATTERY B/FIRST PENNSYLVANIA LIGHT ARTILLERY/PENNA RESERVE VOL. CORP/PRESENT AT GETTYSBURG 114 OFFICERS AND MEN/KILLED 3, WOUNDED 9/AMMUNITION EXPENDED (4 GUNS) 1,050 ROUNDS
When was this photograph taken? June 7, 2011. Monument faces east and the front faces south. This photograph is taken of the eastern and southern sides.
Where is it located? Located Gettysburg National Military Park, East Cemetery Hill, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 17325.
Is this monument located along the NPS Auto Tour route? Included on the extended tour that includes Culp’s Hill.
Has this monument been moved or changed? This monument has not been moved or materially altered.
Monument Details, Alternative Views, and Contextual Views
Secondary Monuments and Markers
Monument Title: Iron War Department Tablet
Photographed: November 15, 2009.
Location: South Hancock Avenue. Located west side of Hancock Avenue, south end. Denoted on above map with a RED pushpin.
Description: Standard iron war department tablet. Painted inscription tablet, 3’8″x3′. Mounted on a fluted post, 4’4″ high. Tablet cast by Calvin Gilbert, founder. Marks position of Cooper’s US Battery on July 3, 1863. It was erected in 1910.
Inscription: Tablet reads,
ARMY OF THE POTOMAC
FIRST CORPS
FIRST VOLUNTEER BRIGADE
FIRST PENNA. LIGHT ARTILLERY
BATTERY B
Four 3 Inch Rifles
Captain James H. Cooper Commanding
July 3. Moved to this position from East Cemetery Hill at 3 P. M. during a heavy cannonade and opened fire upon a Confederate battery in front. In half an hour a line of Confederate infantry approached over the hill about 1000 yards distant. The Battery in connection with batteries in line fired case shot until the Confederates reached canister range a few charges of which compelled their retreat.
Casualties Killed 3 Men Wounded 1 Officer and 8 Men Total 12
Monument Title: July 1, 1863 Monument
Photographed: August 31, 2007.
Location: South Reynolds Avenue, McPherson Ridge. Located on east side of Reynolds Ave. Denoted on above map by a BLUE pushpin.
Description: This monument was dedicated in 1943-1944. Marks position held by Cooper’s Battery from 12:00 to 1:30 pm on July 1, 1863 when engaged with Confederate batteries on Herr Ridge. Granite monolith about 4′ x 2′ and 6′ high; rough-hewn edges. Inscription incised into smooth west face with classic Roman lettering. State seal incised above text.
Inscription: Battery B First Pennsylvania Artillery P.R.V.C. Commanded by Capt. James H. Cooper 4-3 inch rifled guns. July 1, 1863 the Battery arrived here about noon and engaged Confederate artillery on Herr’s Ridge. About 1:30 p.m. moved to the rear. Changed front, engaged Carter’s Artillery and shelled Rhode’s Infantry on Oak Hill. About 3 p.m. moved to the woods in front of Theological Seminary and resisted the final attack of Scales, Perrin’s and other Brigades. Casualties – 3 Killed, 9 Wounded.
Photographed: East Cemetery Hill. Located near the main regimental monument on East Cemetery Hill. Not denoted on map.
Location: September 20, 2009.
Description: This now very faded marker was placed around 1879 and was one of the first monuments on the battlefield. In fact, it was the first artillery monument placed on the battlefield. The inscription is now completely illegible, unfortunately. Position marker (1879) is 3.11 foot-in-diameter and 4.9 foot high, composed of marble and sandstone.
At Gettysburg
The 1st Pennsylvania Artillery, Battery B was also known as Cooper’s Battery. During the battle of Gettysburg, it served as a member of Wainwright’s Brigade of the First Corps, Army of the Potomac.
Commander: Capt. James H. Cooper (1840-1906)
Number Engaged: 4 ordnance rifles and 114 men
Casualties: 3 killed, 9 wounded
Soldiers Buried in the Pennsylvania Plot of the Gettysburg National Cemetery:
- Pvt. Peter G. Hoagland, G-27
After Action Report: After Action Report of Capt. James H. Cooper (will open a pop up window).
General Information
Regimental History ~ Dyer’s Compendium of the War of the Rebellion:
Organized at Philadelphia August 5, 1861. Moved to Washington, D. C, August, 1861. Attached to McCall’s Division, Army Potomac, to March, 1862. Artillery, 2nd Division, 1st Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to April, 1862. Artillery, McCall’s Division, Dept. of the Rappahannock, to June, 1862. Artillery, 3rd Division, 5th Army Corps, Army Potomac, to August, 1862. Artillery, 3rd Division, 3rd Corps, Army of Virginia, to September, 1862. Artillery, 3rd Division, 1st Army Corps, Army Potomac, to May, 1863. Artillery Brigade, 1st Army Corps, to March, 1864. Artillery Brigade, 5th Army Corps, to March, 1865. Artillery Reserve, Army Potomac, to June, 1865.
SERVICE.–At Camp Berry, Washington, D.C., until August 14, 1861, and at Tennallytown, Md., until September. At Great Falls, Md., September to December, temporarily transferred to Banks’ Division, December 25. Duty at Seneca Falls and Edward’s Ferry until January 9, 1862, when rejoined McCall’s Division, and at Camp Pierpont near Langley until March, 1862. Advance on Manassas March 10-15. McDowell’s advance on Falmouth April 9-19. Duty at Falmouth and Fredericksburg until June. Moved to the Peninsula June 13, and Joined Division at Mechanicsville June 30. Seven days before Richmond June 25-July 1. Beaver Dam Creek or Mechanicsville June 26. Gaines’ Mill June 27. Charles City Cross Roads and Glendale June 30. Malvern Hill July 1. At Harrison’s Landing until August 15. Movement to Join Pope August 15-26. Battles of Gainesville August 28. Groveton August 29. Bull Run August 30. Chantilly September 1 (Reserve). Maryland Campaign September. Battles of South Mountain September 14 and Antietam September 16-17. Movement to Falmouth, Va., October-November. Battle of Fredericksburg December 12-15. “Mud March” January 20-24, 1863. At 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. Battle of Gettysburg, Pa., July 1-3. Duty on the Rappahannock until September 10. Bristoe Campaign October 9-22. Advance to line of the Rappahannock November 7-8. Mine Run Campaign November 26-December 2. Near Kelly’s Ford until April, 1864. Rapidan Campaign May 4-June 12. Battles of the Wilderness May 5-7; Laurel Hill May 8; Spottsylvania C. H. May 8-21; North Anna River May 23-26. Line of the Pamunkey May 26-28. Cold Harbor June 1-12. Before Petersburg June 16-18. Siege of Petersburg June 16, 1864, to April 2, 1865. Weldon Railroad August 18-21, 1864. In trenches before Petersburg until April, 1865. Fort Stedman March 25, 1865. Fall of Petersburg April 2. Ordered to City Point April 3. Moved to Washington, D.C., May. Grand Review May 23. Mustered out June 9, 1865. Battery lost during service 2 Officers and 19 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 17 Enlisted men by disease. Total 38.
Pennsylvania at Gettysburg
1st Reserve :: 2nd Reserve :: 5th Reserve :: 6th Reserve :: 9th Reserve :: 10th Reserve :: 11th Reserve :: 12th Reserve :: 13th Reserve :: 11th Infantry :: 23rd Infantry :: 26th Infantry :: 26th Emergency :: 27th Infantry :: 28th Infantry :: 29th Infantry :: 46th Infantry :: 49th Infantry :: 53rd Infantry :: 56th Infantry :: 57th Infantry :: 61st Infantry :: 62nd Infantry :: 63rd Infantry :: 68th Infantry :: 69th Infantry :: 71st Infantry :: 72nd Infantry :: 73rd Infantry :: 74th Infantry :: 75th Infantry :: 81st Infantry :: 82nd Infantry :: 83rd Infantry :: 84th Infantry :: 88th Infantry :: 90th Infantry :: 91st Infantry :: 93rd Infantry :: 95th Infantry :: 96th Infantry :: 98th Infantry :: 99th Infantry :: 102nd Infantry :: 105th Infantry :: 106th Infantry :: 107th Infantry :: 109th Infantry :: 110th Infantry :: 111th Infantry :: 114th Infantry :: 115th Infantry :: 116th Infantry :: 118th Infantry :: 119th Infantry :: 121st Infantry :: 139th Infantry :: 140th Infantry :: 141st Infantry :: 142nd Infantry :: 143rd Infantry :: 145th Infantry :: 147th Infantry :: 148th Infantry :: 149th Infantry :: 150th Infantry :: 151st Infantry :: 153rd Infantry :: 155th Infantry :: Cavalry :: 1st Regiment :: 2nd Regiment :: 3rd Regiment :: 4th Regiment :: 6th Regiment :: 8th Regiment :: 16th Regiment :: 17th Regiment :: 18th Regiment :: 21st Regiment :: Artillery :: 1st Artillery B :: 1st Artillery F&G :: 3rd Artillery H :: Independent C&F :: Independent E
