5th United States, Battery I

5th United States Artillery, Battery I was nicknamed “Weed’s.” It was recruited from New York City and Luzerne County (Pennsylvania) and mustered in at Harrisburg in October 1861.

This was a relatively small battery containing just 78 men and 4 Ordnance Rifles. They suffered 22 casualties near the Peach Orchard and Trostle House on July 2. Their commander was Lt. Malbone F. Watson (1839-1891), a native of Catskill, New York and an 1861 graduate of West Point. Watson was severely wounded on July 2 (he would lose his right leg) and command fell to Lt. Charles C. MacConnell (1840-1908), a law clerk from Pittsburgh.

The monument to 5th United States, Battery I is located in a field on United States Avenue near the Trostle Farm buildings.

5th United States, Battery I

5th Corps Artillery Brigade

Engaged: 78 men and 4 Ordnance Rifles; 1 killed, 19 wounded, 2 missing

Monument: United States Avenue

Tags: Gettysburg, Monument Project, Peach Orchard, us regulars, V Corps