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Gettysburg Battle Report: The Reserve Artillery, Third Corps

No. 535.--Report of Col. R. Lindsay Walker, C. S. Army, Chief of Artillery
HDQRS. ARTILLERY THIRD CORPS, ARMY NORTHERN VA.,

------ --, 1863.

MAJOR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of the artillery of the Third Army Corps, from their leaving the camps near Fredericksburg on June 15, to their return to Culpeper on July 27:

The battalion of Lieutenant-Colonel Garnett was ordered to report to Major-General Heth, and Major Poague to Major-General Pender, and the battalion of Lieutenant-Colonel Cutts, under command of Major Lane, to Major-General Anderson, for duty with their divisions. With Major McIntosh's and Major Pegram's battalion of this corps (which was under the command of Captain [E. B.] Brunson until I was joined by Major Pegram, who assumed command on June 30, at Cashtown, Pa.), I left camp on the morning of the 16th, and accompanied the Third Corps to Cashtown, in Pennsylvania, where I arrived June 30, and, in the morning of July 1, I assumed command of all the artillery of the corps, which had made the march to that place without loss excepting that of Lieutenant [J. H.] Chamberlayne, of the Crenshaw battery, and 4 of his men, who were captured by the enemy while on a foraging party for the purpose of securing horses.

Majors Pegram's and McIntosh's battalions moved forward on the morning of the 1st with the divisions of Generals Heth and Pender, and were put in position for action on an eminence about 1 mile west of Gettysburg, from which they opened fire on the enemy with marked effect, finally driving them back out of range. The battalions of Majors Lane and Poague and Lieutenant-Colonels Cutts and Garnett were held in reserve, excepting Captain [Victor] Maurin's battery, of Garnett's battalion, which relieved one of Major Pegram's batteries, whose ammunition had been expended.

On the 2d, the battalions of Pegram, Mcintosh, Lane, and a part of Garnett's battalion, under Major Richardson, were put in position, on the right of the Fairfield turnpike, about 1 mile in advance of the position of the previous day, and, later in the day, Poague's battalion was also put in position still farther to the right. From this position a fire was opened at intervals, enfilading the enemy's guns when they were attempting to be concentrated, and also diverting their attention from the infantry of the First Corps.

The artillery was retained in the same position on the 3d, and kept up an incessant fire from about 1 p.m. to the time of the advance of the infantry. This fire having been continued so long and with such rapidity, the ammunition was almost exhausted.

The battalions remained in this position until dusk on the 4th (excepting a detachment under Major Richardson, who was sent back to report to Brigadier-General Imboden, at Cashtown, on the 4th), when they were withdrawn, and followed with the army in the march to Hagerstown, where the corps arrived on the 7th, and remained in camp.

On the 11th, the whole corps was placed in position for action on the right and left of Saint James' College, where we remained, occasionally firing a few shots to scatter such bodies of the enemy as showed themselves.

On the night of the 13th, the corps left Hagerstown, and followed with the army until we reached Culpeper. Major Richardson, while with General Imboden's command, turned over two guns to Captain [J. F.] Hart, of Hampton's brigade, which he reported he was unable to bring off. He also abandoned three caissons. A court of inquiry has been asked and ordered to inquire into his conduct, and I respectfully refer to the report of Major Richardson for a detailed account of the detachment under his command.

Two guns of Colonel Garnett's battalion were captured, which had been left behind after the teams had given out, and before they could be brought off by fresh horses, which were sent for them. Three guns of Major Pegram's battalion were disabled in action, and sent to the rear, and one of them was captured. All the other guns of the command were brought off safely.

Two of the guns of the First Corps were found on the field at Gettysburg, and brought off.

The conduct of the officers and men of this corps was in the highest degree satisfactory, evincing, as they did without exception, throughout the long and trying marches to and from Pennsylvania, the utmost fortitude and patient endurance under fatigue, and zeal and gallantry in action.

The conduct of Lieutenant [M. H.] Houston, ordnance officer of McIntosh's battalion, is deserving of especial notice for gallantry in serving as cannoneer at one of the guns whose detachment had become disabled.

We have to mourn the loss of Lieutenant [John] Morris, jr., ordnance officer of Pegram's battalion, who was killed on the morning of July 1.

The horses of the command suffered severely (although sufficiently supplied throughout the march with provender) for the want of shoes. On the first day I was placed in command of this corps, I applied to the Ordnance Department for horseshoes and nails. I repeated this application, and on leaving Fredericksburg I telegraphed, urging a supply to be sent to meet me at Culpeper. I am satisfied that most of the horses lost on the march were lost in consequence, because of their lameness in traveling over turnpikes, and especially over the road from Hagerstown to Gettysburg without shoes.

The value of horses abandoned from this cause during the march was, I am persuaded, $75,000, and the injury to others amounted to the same sum.

I append a list of the casualties in this command, and of the expenditures of ammunition.

I herewith transmit the reports of battalion commanders, to which I refer for the more particular account of the part borne by each in the campaign to Pennsylvania and back.

Respectfully, &c., your obedient servant,

R. L. WALKER,

Colonel, and Chief of Artillery, Third Corps

Major [WILLIAM H.] PALMER,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

[Indorsement.]

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA,

January 18, 1864.

The gun belonging to Major Pegram's battalion herein reported lost was found and brought off by Lieut. Col. B. G. Baldwin, chief of ordnance Army of Northern Virginia, the carriage being destroyed. See report of Lieutenant-Colonel Baldwin.

By order of General Lee:

C. MARSHALL,

Major, and Aide-de-Camp.

Battalion Reports

No. 563.--Report of Maj. D. G. Mcintosh, C. S. Artillery, commanding Reserve Artillery Battalion.

MITCHELL'S STATION,

July 30, 1863.

COLONEL: I have the honor to submit the following report, as called for, of the operations of this battalion since leaving Fredericksburg, June 15:

The command was moved from the latter place, by way of Culpeper Court-House, Front Royal, Shepherdstown, &c., to Cashtown, Pa., without incident worthy of special note.

On the morning of Wednesday, July 1, it moved with General Pender's division into the line of battle. One battery of Napoleons (Captain [R. S.] Rice) and a section of Whitworths were placed first in position a short distance to the right of the turnpike, by the side of a portion of Major Pegram's battalion, and fire was opened slowly upon the enemy wherever they brought into view considerable bodies of troops, and occasionally upon their batteries. The Whitworth guns were used to shell the woods to the right of the town.

After a short interval, Captain [M.] Johnson's battery and the remaining section of Captain [W. B.] Hurt's were placed on a commanding hill some distance to the right, near the Fairfield road, at or near which point they remained during the first day's action without any occasion for an active participation, though frequently >ar44_675> under fire. The remaining battery of the command, under Lieutenant [Samuel] Wallace, was also placed in position near the Cash-town pike, and contributed its portion of work.

The artillery fire on both sides was occasionally brisk, but deliberate on our part. At the time General Ewell's batteries occupied the enemy's attention, I opened on them a flank fire, which caused them to leave the position in haste. A fine opportunity was also afforded at this time of enfilading a heavy column of the enemy's infantry, formed in the railroad cut and along a line of fence, which was employed to advantage by my batteries in connection with Major Pegram's, and the enemy, entirely discomfited, disappeared from the field. Previous to this time, I had advanced two of my batteries to the intervening hollow, and followed close upon the enemy as he left the hills.

No further movements were made during the day, the casualties being 1 man killed of Captain Johnson's and 1 wounded of Captain Rice s by premature explosion, and several horses disabled.

On Thursday morning, July 2, the battalion was put in position behind a stone wall, on the range of hills to the left of the town of Gettysburg, Captain Rice's battery in reserve. The enemy opened upon this spot at various times throughout the two succeeding days a terrible artillery fire, accompanied with a galling fire of musketry from their sharpshooters. Our line remained quiet until a movement forward being made by the First Corps, a few rounds were fired by us to draw the enemy's attention, which never failed to do so.

The firing in the afternoon became extremely warm, and continued, and resulted in considerable loss, Lieutenants [J. W.] Tullis and [G. A.] Ferrell, of Hurt's battery, being wounded.

Two guns were disabled in the first day's action--one 3-inch rifle (Lieutenant Wallace's) being struck upon its face, which was sent to the rear with the wagon, and one Whitworth having had an axle broken. The latter was taken to Major [George] Duffy's train, and repaired.

The two Whitworth guns were moved Friday morning, by direction of Lieut. Gen. A. P. Hill, to a commanding point north of the railroad cut, to enable them to enfilade the enemy's position. They fired, it is believed, with effect from this point.

In the afternoon, it was reported to me that the gun formerly disabled had broken its axle again, this time from its own firing. I immediately ordered it to be sent back to the rear for repairs, and learning the next morning that the gun was on the road, and could not be hauled along, I sent Captain Hurt to superintend it himself. He succeeded in getting it repaired, and followed with it by the route of the wagon train, leaving the rear part of his caisson somewhere on the road. Captain Hurt rejoined me at Hagerstown, the horses belonging to that gun being completely broken down.

The day of the 3d witnessed in great measure a repetition of the 2d. Previous to the charge of our men, a general fire of artillery commenced on the right, and extended along the left. The bombardment was replied to with equal spirit by the enemy, but their fire in time slackened, and, when the charge was made by our men, had almost entirely ceased.

During the two days' engagement, and especially the terrific bombardment of the 3d, it gives me pleasure to speak of the general good conduct of officers and men of this command, and I am proud to say that, occupying a good position for observation, not a single case >ar44_676> came under my notice where any one flinched from the post of danger.

Where all behaved so well, it is difficult to draw distinctions, yet being nearest the company of Lieutenant Wallace, I can bear especial testimony to the coolness and gallantry of himself and men.

I cannot forbear also paying a tribute to the handsome conduct of my ordnance officer (Lieutenant [M. H.] Houston), who exposed himself frequently to the hottest fire, and assisted in working at one of the guns.

Saturday, the 4th, the same position was maintained with but little firing, and on the afternoon of that day, under orders from General Hill, I withdrew to Stone Bridge, and awaited there the body of the corps, with which I moved to the village of Fairfield. Ordered here to report to General Anderson with two batteries, which I did, moving with his division across the mountain before dark, leaving a section on the top of the Emmitsburg road, and sending a battery at night with a regiment of Posey's brigade, to take position on the hill overlooking Waynesborough.

Monday, the 5th, moved with the main column to Hagerstown, and sent one battery to picket with Anderson's and one with Lane's division.

On the 11th instant, moved with General Anderson's division into line of battle, and took position designated near Saint James' College, which, strong of itself, was well intrenched, but occupied without battle till the evening of the 13th, when I withdrew at dark, by your order, moving to Williamsport, and thence to Falling Waters, over the worst road and during the worst night of the season.

The river was reached and crossed in safety about 9 a.m., the caissons having been sent on before, under Lieutenant [B. Z.] Price, who conveyed them all safely to camp, about a mile and a half from the river. The Whitworth guns, under Captain Hurt, were put in position near the bridge by General Pendleton, and several shots were fired from them at columns of the enemy's cavalry. Captain Hurt, withdrawing by another road, rejoined the battalion at Bunker Hill. From Bunker Hill the battalion moved with General Anderson's division to Culpeper Court-House.

Annexed is a statement of casualties, with amount of ammunition expended.

Casualties in men--Killed and wounded, 24; captured, 16.(*) Casualties in horses--Disabled and killed, 38.

From the battle of Gettysburg to the time of reaching Culpeper Court-House, the horses received no corn, subsisting entirely upon grass, with a little sheaf oats and wheat.

Respectfully forwarded.

D. G. McINTOSH,

Major, Commanding.

Col. R. L. WALKER,

Commanding Artillery, Third Corps.

No. 564.--Report of Capt. E. B. Brunson, C. S. Artillery, commanding Reserve Artillery Battalion.

JULY 31, 1863.

LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to make the following report of the operations of this battalion from the time it left Fredericksburg to the present time:

On the evening of June 15, this battalion received orders, from headquarters artillery Third Corps, to be in readiness to move at early dawn the next morning.

This battalion took up the line of march from its encampment on the Old Mine road, near Fredericksburg, early on the morning of the 16th, and reached Culpeper Court-House on the evening of the 18th, from which point we marched, via Sperryville, Front Royal, and Berryville, to Shepherdstown, reaching the latter place on the 24th.

On the morning of the 25th, we crossed the Potomac at Boteler's Ford, near Shepherdstown, and proceeded through Hagerstown, Leitersburg, Waynesborough, Quincy, and Funkstown to a point on the Baltimore and Chambersburg pike, 6 miles southeast of the latter place, and near the town of Fayetteville.

We arrived at this point on June 27, and encamped there for two days.

No incident worthy of notice occurred on the march to this place, and I may say it was most successfully conducted, especially when we consider the miserable condition of the horses' feet, for lack of shoes, on the limestone pikes, over which a large portion of our march was made. My ordnance officer made every effort to obtain shoes, as did the chief of artillery, so I am informed, but without avail. Consequently, we were obliged to abandon some 20 horses by the time we reached this encampment. At this point, an effort was made to procure fresh horses by means of a strong foraging party, under command of Lieutenant [J. H.] Chamberlayne, of the Crenshaw battery.

This party obtained some horses, but, encountering the enemy's cavalry, Lieutenant Chamberlayne and 4 of his men were captured, and all the captured horses retaken.

On the morning of the 30th, we moved on the Baltimore pike a distance of 8 miles to Cashtown, a village about 5 miles west of Gettysburg. Here we encamped for the night.

We were ordered that night to report to Major-General Heth, and received orders to follow next morning immediately in the rear of General Heth's troops.

On the morning of July 1, we moved forward on the Baltimore pike, in rear of General Heth's division. When within 2 miles of Gettysburg, Captain [E. A.] Marye's section of rifled guns was run forward, unlimbered in the road, and opened on a piece of woods to the left of the pike, where was stationed a reconnoitering party of the enemy.

It was at this time and point that Major-General Reynolds, of the Yankee army, is reported to have been killed. After firing some eight or ten rounds, the pieces were limbered up, and the battalion moved forward to a commanding position on the right and left of the pike, a mile distant from Gettysburg.

Here we found the enemy's batteries in position, and partially concealed from view behind the crest of a hill. We opened upon them with ten Napoleons and seven rifled guns (the two 12-pounder howitzers were not brought into position, and one of Lieutenant [W. E.] Zimmerman's rifles was disabled while being brought rapidly into action), and forced them to limber up and retire their pieces three distinct times.

They were brought back twice under shelter of the hills, in order to support their advancing infantry, whose lines our guns played upon as they advanced, with telling effect.

During the day, Captain [T: A.] Brander's battery was ordered to report to Brigadier-General Davis, whose line was on the left of the pike, and considerably in advance of our position. Captain Brander was ordered to post his battery upon a hill immediately in rear of General Davis' skirmishers, about 500 yards from the enemy's batteries, and to open upon their infantry, which he did in handsome style, suffering considerably from the enemy's canister.

Our casualties in this battle were very small, considering the heavy fire to which the battalion was exposed for a greater portion of the day. They consisted of 2 men killed and 8 wounded also 6 horses killed.

We bivouacked the night of the 1st near the position we occupied during the day.

At an early hour on the morning of the 2d, we took position a mile to the right of the pike, in advance of the position we occupied the day before, and opposite the Yankee center, about 1,400 yards from the crest upon which his artillery was massed.

From this position we opened upon the enemy at intervals, enfilading their batteries whenever they opened upon the batteries on our right.

Our loss in the second day's fight was 2 men killed, 7 wounded, and 25 horses killed.

We remained in this position, and were ordered about 12 o'clock on the third day to open upon the enemy's batteries in our front; and, when they were silenced and the batteries on our right advanced, we were ordered to advance our batteries to the crest then occupied by the Yankee guns. The enemy's cannoneers were driven repeatedly from their guns, and their batteries completely silenced. The artillery fight was one of the most terrific on record, and never were guns served more splendidly, and never did men behave more heroically, than the artillerymen did in that memorable battle of the 3d. Had the result of that day's fight on the luckless heights around Gettysburg been dependent upon the heroic conduct of the artillery, we might now read upon the resplendent roll of victories that have heretofore marked the career of the Army of Northern Virginia the battle of Gettysburg.

The infantry failed to dislodge the enemy from his position on the crest, and the operations of this battle at Gettysburg closed on the evening of July 3, with a total loss to the battalion of 10 men killed, 37 wounded, 38 horses killed, 3 guns and 1 caisson disabled, and 2 caissons exploded.

It is here my painful duty to mention the loss on the morning of the 1st of my ordnance officer--a noble and gallant young officer, whose chivalrous nature led him to expose himself unnecessarily, in the hope of being of service on the field. He was mortally wounded by a solid shot, and survived but a few hours. >ar44_679>

Where officers and men, one and all, behaved so well, it would be unjust to make discrimination, but living worth will gladly award the meed of praise to our fallen and lamented comrade, [John C.] Eustace, whose conspicuous gallantry in his last battle attracted the admiration of all who witnessed it.

The battalion expended in the three days' fight 3,800 rounds of ammunition.

On the evening of the 4th, we were ordered to take up the line of march on the Fairfield road, and in rear of General Hill's corps. We arrived in the vicinity of Hagerstown on the 8th instant, without anything of interest transpiring.

On the evening of the 10th, we reported to Major-General Heth at Funkstown, and on the morning of the 11th we took position in line with General Heth's division, near Saint Mary's [James'] College, where we remained without opening with our guns until the night of the 13th, when we recrossed the Potomac.

Upon this march, we lost some 6 or 8 men prisoners, and had to abandon a howitzer caisson after every effort to save it had been made.

When we reached Gaines' Cross-Roads, we received orders to move on the dirt road to Culpeper Court-House, in rear of General Heth's division.

After moving on.this road for several miles, we found the enemy's cavalry posted to harass our advance. I posted Lieutenant Zimmerman's battery in position, and it soon succeeded in silencing the Yankee battery of four guns. Two of Captain [Joseph] McGraw's guns were also placed in position, and opened with effect upon the enemy's cavalry. Lieutenant [A. B.] Johnston's section afterward relieved Lieutenant Zimmerman, and, with Captain McGraw's section, remained in position until the rear guard of the corps came up, when they were withdrawn.

Lieutenant Zimmerman had 3 men wounded, and was himself knocked down by a piece of shell. The other battery suffered no loss.

We encamped at Culpeper Court-House for two days, and reached this encampment on July 28.

Respectfully submitted.

E. B. BRUNSON,

Captain, Commanding Battalion.

Lieut. W. W. CHAMBERLAYNE,

Acting Adjutant, Artillery Third Corps.