5th United States Artillery Battery C

5th United States Artillery Battery C was known as Hascall’s. The battery was raised from Northampton County in Pennsylvania in September 1861. The battery consisted of 6 Napoleons and 123 men under the command of Lt. Gulian V. Weir (1837-1886). Weir’s father was a professor drawing at West Point.

The battery monument is located along Hancock Avenue. This battery was part of the Artillery Reserve and it fought on July 2 and 3, suffering a total of 16 casualties during the battle.

A late “casualty” so to speak of the battle was Lt. Weir himself.  Three of his guns were captured as the battery was swept away from it’s advanced position in support of Humpherys’ Division.  Knocked somewhat senseless by a spent bullet, Weir was not with his cannons when they were recaptured.  He remained in the army after the War, rising to the rank of captain, but he never forgot the fact he lost his guns.  After a visit to Gettysburg 22 years after the battle, Weir wrote to Hancock stating his regret over the loss of the guns.  Still upset apparently over what had happened, on July 18, 1886 a tormented Weir put a rifle against his chest and put a bullet through his heart.

5th United States Artillery Battery C

Artillery Reserve, 1st Regular Brigade

Engaged: 6 Napoleons and 123 men; 2 killed, 14 wounded

Monument: Hancock Avenue

Tags: Artillery Reserve, Gettysburg, Monument Project, us regulars