9th Massachusetts Artillery

The 9th Massachusetts Artillery is more commonly known as Bigelow’s Battery. Raised from Middlesex County in the summer of 1862, the Battery was commanded by Capt. John Bigelow (1841-1917), a youthful graduate of Harvard University. Bigelow was wounded on July 2 and Lt. Richard S. Milton (1840-1904), a book keeper from West Roxbury took command. The battery consisted of six Napoleans and 110 men.

The main monument is located along the Wheatfield Road marking the position of the battery from 4:30 to 6:30 on July 2. It was dedicated on October 19, 1885 at a cost of $1,000.00. It was designed by Capt. Bigelow and Charles Reed and consists of Quincy Granite.

There are also markers along Hancock Avenue on Cemetery Ridge at Ziegler’s Grove and near the Trostle House (shaped like an ammunition chest) marking other positions held by the battery during the battle.

9th Massachusetts Artillery

Artillery Reserve, 1st Volunteer Brigade

Capt. John Bigelow (1841-1917)

Engaged: 6 Napoleans 110 men; 8 killed, 18 wounded, 2 missing (Battery lost 60 of 86 horses as well)

Monument: Wheatfield Road

1st West Virginia Artillery Battery C

The monument to West Virginia Battery C is located in the National Cemetery. This monument is nearly identical to the monument erected to the 3d West Virginia Cavalry (though of course the inscriptions vary).

Known as the “Pierpont Battery,” this unit actually came from Washington County, Ohio, but it was formed by the governor of West Virginia in March 1862. It’s commander was Capt. Wallace Hill (1839-1895), a farmer from Marietta, Ohio. The battery consisted of almost 125 men and 4 Parrotts of the 10 pounder variety.

1st West Virginia Artillery Battery C

Artillery Reserve, 3d Volunteer Brigade

Capt. Wallace Hill (1839-1895)

Engaged: 4 Parrotts and 124 men; 2 killed, 2 wounded

Monument: National Cemetery

1st Pennsylvania Artillery Battery F & G

Located on East Cemetery Hill, the monument to battery F & G of the 1st Pennsylvania Artillery features a huge bas relief of a pair of artillerymen in the process of loading a cannon.

The monument was dedicated on July 2, 1894.  It cost $3,000.00 and consists of Blue Westerly Granite.

The dimensions are  11′ long by 3′ wide by 9′ high, making it one of the most prominent monuments in the area of East Cemetery Hill.

Known as “Rickett’s” the battery was commanded by Capt. R. Bruce Ricketts (1839-1918), a native of Orangeville who was a law student after the War (he completed his legal studies to become a lawyer in Wilkes Barre after the War).

The battery was made up of 6 Ordnance Rifles.

Battery G came from Philadelphia while Battery F was raised in Schuykill County.  The battery consolidated had 144 men.

1st Pennsylvania Artillery Battery F & G

Artillery Reserve, 3d Volunteer Brigade

Capt. R. Bruce Ricketts (1839-1918)

Engaged: 6 Ordnance Rifles and 144 men; 6 killed, 14 wounded, 3 missing

Monument: East Cemetery Hill

1st New York Artillery Battery K

The monument to the 1st New York Artillery Battery K was built using the $1500.00 state appropriation and was dedicated on July 2, 1888. The sculptor was Stephen J. O’Kelly and the monument consists of Quincy granite and bronze. It is located on Cemetery Ridge along Hancock Avenue near the Angle. The main feature is the large bronze plaque on the front which depicts four artillerymen going through the process of loading a cannon.

The battery included the 11th Independent New York temporarily attached; it was made up of men from Montgomery and Albany counties as well as Ashtabula county in Ohio. The commander of the 6 Ordnance Rifles and 149 men was Capt. Robert H. Fitzhugh (1840-1920), a native of Oswego.

The monument was originally located at the intersection of Plesanton and Hancock Avenues. It was moved to this more central location in 1903.

1st New York Artillery Battery K

Artillery Reserve, 4th Volunteer Brigade

Capt. Robert H. Fitzhugh (1840-1920)

Engaged: 149 men and 6 Ordnance Rifles; 7 wounded

Monument: Hancock Avenue (Alternate Image)

5th New York Independent Artillery

The 5th New York Independant Artillery (also known as Taft’s or the First Excelsior Light Artillery) was made up of men from New York City and the counties of Monroe and Kings.  It was raised as part of Sickles Excelsior Brigade in the late fall of 1861.   At Gettysburg, the battery contained 146 men and six 20 lb Parrotts under the command of Capt. Elijah D. Taft (1819-1915), a Brooklyn carpenter.

The monument is located in the National Cemetery.  The main feature is a bronze replica staute of a Civil War cannon mounted at the top of the mounment.

5th New York Independent Artillery

Artillery Reserve, 2nd Volunteer Brigade

Capt. Elijah D. Taft

Engaged 146 men and six 20 lb Parrotts; 1 killed, 2 wounded

Monument: National Cemetery

2nd Connecticut Artillery

The simple monument to the 2nd Connecticut Artillery stands on Hancock Avenue just south of the Pennsylvania Monument.  It marks the position held by the regiment on July 3, 1863.

Raised from Fairfield County in the fall of 1862, this artillery unit was made up of four 6 lb. James Rifles and two 12lb Howitzers.  The commander was Capt. John W. Sterling (1826-1881), a merchant from Bridgeport.

The monument is a simple structure made of granite that features the state seal.  One side depicts crossed artillery swabs and a pile of cannon balls.

2nd Connecticut Artillery

Artillery Reserve, 2nd Volunteer Brigade

Capt. John W. Sterling (1826-1881)

Engaged: 106 men, 4 6 lb James Rifles and 2 12 lb Howitzers; 3 wounded, 2 missing

Monument: Hancock Avenue

Battery C & F Pennsylvania Artillery

Located on “Artillery Avenue” near the Peach Orchard is the interesting carved stone cannon of Batterys C & F, Pennsylvania Artillery, also known as Thompson’s Battery.  This unit hailed from Allegheny county in Pennsylvania.   It was temporarily consolidated during the Gettysburg Campaign.

The commander was Capt. James Thompson (1821-1906).  The battery consisted of 6 Ordance rifles and 105 men.  A marker is also along Hancock Avenue.

Batterys C & F Pennsylvania Artillery (Thompson’s)

Members of the Artillery Reserve, 1st Volunteer Brigade

Commanded by:  Capt. James Thompson (1821-1906)

Engaged: 105 men, 6 Ordance rifles.  2 killed, 23 wounded, 3 missing

Monument: Peach Orchard

6th Maine Artillery (Dow’s Battery)

The 6th Maine Artillery (also known as McGilvery’s, Dow’s, or “Battery F”) was raised from Aroostook County.  The commander at Gettysburg was Lt. Edwin B. Dow (1835-1917), a native of New Brunswick Canada.  The battery was made up of four 12 pound Napoleon cannons and 103 men.  In action on July 2, the battery lost 13 men.

The monument is located along Hancock Avenue, just south of the Pennsylvania Monument.  It is a relatively simple stone monument.  The main features include a stack of cannon balls at the top and a bas relief of an artillery cannon and flag.  Interestingly, this is one incidence where a star on the monument does not indicate the unit was with the XII Corps; Dow’s battery was part of the Artillery Reserve at Gettysburg.

6th Maine Artillery (Dow’s; Battery F)

Members of the Artillery Reserve, 4th Volunteer Brigade

Commanded by Lt. Edwin B. Dow (1835-1917)

Engaged: 103 men and 4 Napolean cannon; 13 wounded

Monument: Hancock Avenue, just south of the Pennsylvania Monument