1st Rhode Island Artillery Battery B

1st Rhode Island Artillery Battery B was part of the 2nd Corps Artillery Brigade. It was also known as Hazard’s Battery. It was recruited in Providence County in the summer of 1861. On July 1, it was assigned to the 2nd Corps from the Artillery Reserve.

The commander was Lt. Thomas F. Brown (1842-1928), a diminutive (he stood only five foot) student from Brown University. When Brown was wounded on July 2, Lt. William S. Perrin took command. Perrin (1839-1876) survived Gettysburg only to lose his right leg during the Petersburg Campaign. He died in 1876 of an overdose of morphine related to this wounding.

The battery consisted of 6 Napoleons and 103 men. It suffered 28 casualties at Gettysburg. The simple monument to Battery B is located near the Angle along Hancock Avenue.

1st Rhode Island Artillery Battery B

2d Corps Artillery Brigade

Engaged: 6 Napoleons and 103 men; 7 killed, 19 wounded, 2 missing

Monument: Hancock Avenue

Tags: Angle, Cemetery Ridge, Gettysburg, II Corps, Monument Project, rhode island