Latimer’s Battalion served as a member of Johnson’s Division in the Second Corps, Army of Northern Virginia.
About the Main Monument
When was it dedicated? Erected circa 1910. The last monument was completed on December 19, 1910.
What is it made out of? Foundation: Concrete. Monument: Polished smooth red Maine granite. Plaque: Bronze.
What size is it? 3.8 feet x 3.4 feet diameter base. Height 5’4″. Tablet measures 4 feet by 3 feet 8 inches and weighs 300 pounds. Overall weight is 3000 pounds.
Who made it? Albert Russell & Sons Co. of Newburyport, Massachusetts. Erected by the United States War Department.
What does it depict? Monolith consisting of polished smooth red Maine granite pedestal with a circular base. On each pedestal is mounted a bronze inscription tablet describing the movements and actions of the unit.
What does it honor? One of 64 Confederate brigade monuments. Designed by E. B. Cope and erected by the U.S. War Department. They indicate the general location of the centers of the various Confederate brigades and artillery battalions during several phases of the battle. Some of the tablets were made from melted down Civil War cannon. The tablets describe the itinerary and movements of each brigade.
How is it inscribed? The monument reads,
C. S. A.
ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA
EWELL’S CORPS JOHNSON’S DIVISION
LATIMER’S BATTALION
Brown’s Carpenter’s Dement’s Raine’s Batteries
Two 20 Pounder Parrotts Five 10 Pounder Parrotts
Three 3 Inch Rifles Six Napoleons
July 1. After dark crossed Rock Creek and encamped on this ridge.
July 2. At 4 P. M. the Battalion except the 20 pounder Parrotts took position here and was engaged more than two hours in a heavy cannonade with the Union artillery on Cemetery Hill Steven’s Knoll and Culp’s Hill. Ammunition exhausted and losses severe the guns were withdrawn except four to cover the advance of Johnson’s infantry against Culp’s Hill. In the renewed firing Major S. W. Latimer was mortally wounded. In the cannonading the 20 pounder Parrotts in position half a mile north took an active part.
July 3. The 20 pounder Parrotts took part in the great cannonade while the other batteries were in reserve.
July 4. The Battalion withdrew and began the march to Hagerstown.
Losses Killed 10 Wounded 40 Horses killed 30.
When was this photograph taken? December 8, 2011.
Where is it located? Located Gettysburg National Military Park, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 17325. Located on Benner’s Hill, south of Hanover Road.
Is this monument located along the NPS Auto Tour route? No.
Has this monument been moved or changed? This monument has not been moved or materially altered.
Monument Details, Alternative Views, and Contextual Views
At Gettysburg
Commander: Major Joseph White Latimer (August 27, 1843 – August 1, 1863), “The Boy Major,” was a promising young officer in the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia’s artillery branch during the American Civil War. He was mortally wounded at the Battle of Gettysburg.
After Action Report: After Action Report of Lieut. Col. R. Snowden Andrews (will open a pop up window).
Battery Tablets
Ewell’s Corps, ANV at Gettysburg
EWELL’S CORPS – Early’s Division – Gordon’s Brigade – Hays’ Brigade – Hoke’s Brigade – Smith’s Brigade – Jones’ Battalion – Johnson’s Division – Jones’ Brigade – Nicholls’ Brigade – Steuart’s Brigade – Walker’s Brigade – Latimer’s Battalion – Rodes’ Division – Daniel’s Brigade – Doles’ Brigade – Iverson’s Brigade – O’Neal’s Brigade – Ramseur’s Brigade – Carter’s Battalion – Artillery Reserve – Dance’s Battalion – Nelson’s Battalion
Maryland at Gettysburg
1st Infantry (Eastern Shore) :: 1st Infantry (Potomac Home) :: 3rd Infantry :: 1st Cavalry :: Purnell Legion :: Artillery A
Virginia at Gettysburg
INFANTRY – 1st Infantry – 2nd Infantry – 3rd Infantry – 4th Infantry – 5th Infantry – 6th Infantry – 7th Infantry – 8th Infantry – 9th Infantry – 10th Infantry – 11th Infantry – 12th Infantry – 14th Infantry – 16th Infantry – 18th Infantry – 19th Infantry – 21st Infantry – 22nd Battalion – 23rd Infantry – 24th Infantry – 25th Infantry – 27th Infantry – 28th Infantry – 31st Infantry – 33rd Infantry – 37th Infantry – 38th Infantry – 40th Infantry – 41st Infantry – 42nd Infantry – 44th Infantry – 47th Infantry – 48th Infantry – 49th Infantry – 50th Infantry – 52nd Infantry – 53rd Infantry – 55th Infantry – 56th Infantry – 57th Infantry – 61st Infantry – 62nd Infantry :: CAVALRY – 1st Regiment – 2nd Regiment – 3rd Regiment – 4th Regiment – 5th Regiment – 6th Regiment – 7th Regiment – 9th Regiment – 10th Regiment – 11th Regiment – 12th Regiment – 13th Regiment – 14th Regiment – 16th Regiment – 17th Regiment – 18th Regiment – 34th Battalion – 35th Battalion – 36th Battalion :: ARTILLERY – 1st Richmond Howitzers – 2nd Richmond Howitzers – 3rd Richmond Howitzers – Albemarle – Alleghany – Amherst – Ashland – Bedford – Breathed – Charlottesville – Chew – Courtney – Crenshaw – Danville – Fauquier – Fluvanna – Fredericksburg – Hampden – Huger – Jackson – King William – Lee – Letcher – Lewis – McGregor – Moorman – Morris – Norfolk – Orange – Powhatan – Purcell – Richmond Fayette – Rockbridge – 2nd Rockbridge – Salem – Staunton – Virginia Battery (Blount) – Virginia Battery (Parker) – Virginia Battery (Taylor) – Virginia Battery (Brooke) – Virginia Battery (Johnson) – Virginia Battery (McClanahan)
One Comment
The inherrent difficulties in CSA artillery are apparent in this battalion.
The mixture of types makes supply difficult.
Only one batttery has uniform tubes, all others have a mixture: 2 20-lb, 5 10-lb, 3 3″ and 6 Napoleons.
In addition some of these guns are better for offense and others for defense…
HankC