Nelson’s Battalion served as a member of the Artillery Reserve 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 ARTILLERY RESERVE
NELSON’S BATTALION
Kirkpatrick’s Massie’s and Milledge’s Batteries
One 10 Pounder Parrott Four 3 Inch Rifles Six Napoleons
July 1 The Battalion arrived on the field too late to participate in the engagement of the day. Was ordered to report to the Chief of Artillery Rodes’ Division.
July 2. Took position on Seminary Ridge 1/4 mile north of Chambersburg Pike. About 11 A. M. moved to the rear of Pennsylvania College and remained until night when the Battalion returned to the position of the morning.
July 3. Ordered to the extreme left of the Confederate line to find a position to withdraw the fire from the Confederate infantry. Opened about 12 M. firing 20 to 25 rounds. At midnight moved with Johnson’s Division to Seminary Ridge.
July 4. Was ordered to take position on the ridge west of town. At night took up the line of march to Hagerstown.
Ammunition expended 48 rounds. Casualties not reported.
When was this photograph taken? December 8, 2011.
Where is it located? Located Gettysburg National Military Park, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 17325. Benner’s Hill, north of the 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: Lieutenant Colonel William Nelson (December 14, 1808-April 17, 1892). Member of state legislature from Hanover County.
After Action Report: After Action Report of Lieut. Col. William Nelson (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
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)
Georgia at Gettysburg
INFANTRY – 2nd Infantry – 2nd Battalion – 3rd Infantry – 3rd Sharpshooters – 4th Infantry – 7th Infantry – 8th Infantry – 9th Infantry – 10th Infantry – 11th Infantry – 12th Infantry – 13th Infantry – 14th Infantry – 15th Infantry – 16th Infantry – 17th Infantry – 18th Infantry – 20th Infantry – 21st Infantry – 22nd Infantry – 24th Infantry – 26th Infantry – 31st Infantry – 35th Infantry – 38th Infantry – 44th Infantry – 45th Infantry – 48th Infantry – 49th Infantry – 50th Infantry – 51st Infantry – 53rd Infantry – 59th Infantry – 60th Infantry – 61st Infantry – Cobb’s Legion – Phillips Legion :: CAVALRY – Cobb’s Legion – Phillips Legion :: ARTILLERY – Milledge – Pulaski – Sumter (Co. A, B, and C) – Troup
