The Last Confederate line of Texans charged the Devils Den and " with frightfull effect " killed or wounded most of the artillerymen.
Capt. James E. Smith
about Smith's Battery
Gettysburg at the Peach Orchard
As the picture pans across the screen it begins to look East on U.S. Avenue towards the Wheatfield, and Big Round Top in the distance. Smiths Battery is not holding your battle line well on the left flank, below the Big Round top area. They are about to be taken, both front and Flank...
Then, you begin to see the trees of the Peach Orchard appear. Beyond the orchard is the Rose Farm where many rebels hid behind the buildings to shield themselves from the Union Artillery fire.
You are now looking south and southeast into the very jaws of Death! as the Confederate line sweeps right upon your very eyes... line after line of units converge... and overrun you!
You are now seeing the Emmitsburg road towards the Confederate lines... You are "The Angle", the "Pickett's Charge" of day 2 in this fight.
In the Picture you now begin to look west beyond the trees of the Peach Orchard, and then the monument of Hampton's Battery appears.
Beyond the monument is the Emmitsburg road heading northeast towards the town of Gettysburg.
The Sherfy Farm is seen along the road and the 114th Pa. Zouaves monument that was damaged, is located there on the 3rd Corps. right flank.
Infantry along the road and beyond has retreated because of the rebel advance, and you are now surrounded in your front, flank, an rear, by the Confederates! You now look behind the 2 trees at the Trostle Farm in the far distance and see General Sickle's leg get blown off by a cannon shell!
Gettysburg.
Typical Union Artillery Battery shown Below in the Civil War.
Click on picture above to view a cannon Misfire video
Click here for the Misfire Video Instructions Site.
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Part of origional Diary of Corporal John C. Shaler
( Center Section of guns, Gettysburg day 2 )
Oct. 1, 1862 Wednesday are encamped on Capitol Hill Washington City.
The morning is clear and cool. Have been quite sick
for some time. Received a box from home containing
flannels, books, buttons, preserves & etc. To pass way
time we have a game of ball this afternoon . . . Oct
10 - Morning cool and clouding with indications of
rain . . . get an order to leave this place in the
morning at six o'clock to go to Maryland Heights near
Harper's Ferry. Get four new recruits from -old
Suosky- today . . . Oct 12 - There is an alarm of
rebels. We . . . on top of a hill and prepare to meet
them. Find they are moving the same way we are and we
start again. Encamp near Hyattsville after making 15
miles . . .
Oct. 20 - . . . Letters from Pittsburgh
for our section by Lieut. Atwell of Knapp's Battery.
Oct. 23 - . . . Commence cutting logs to build a
hospital. Expect to put up quarters in a few days . .
. Oct. 30 - Get unexpected orders to move at 10 o'
clock and going to Bolivar Heights. Cross pontoon
bridge at Harpers Ferry. See a government balloon tied
down in a ravine. The view from the heights which we
reached late in the afternoon is magnificent. One of
the most desolate sights I ever saw is a large
deserted camp here. Nov. 8 - . . . Twenty men are
detailed from each of three batteries on these heights
(Hamptons, Knapps & McGilvery) to clear off all the
stumps to work daily till all are removed. Nov. 9 -
We are waked this morning at 2 o'clock and am told to
harness up and draw two days rations as two sections
of our battery and the same of two others are giving
out on a reconnaissance for a couple of days. Start at
3 o'clock chase in Rachel Pickets two miles from here.
Reach Charleston at 9' O'clock take a number of the
citizens into custody. Continue the reconnaissance
twelve miles and then rations. Scenes both amusing and
revolting all along the road. Reach camp after dark.
Cold. Nov. 12 - There is a murmur in camp that we
are to join Gen. Bank's naval expedition to Texas.
Dec. 2 - We start with a division on a reconnaissance
to Winchester expect to be away five days. Pass
through Charlestown. Knapp's battery dispenses a
square of rebel cavalry who were charging on them.
Dec. 28 - . . . About 10 o'clock ordered forward at a
double quick. The No. 1 guard of our section and a
guard of Knapp's Battery Shell a piece of wood where
some rebel cavalry and supposed to be concealed,
result not known. Gen. Slocum with us all day . . .
Dec. 29 - A church near the road side set on fire by
some straggling soldiers. The wretches! Jan. 19, 1863
- Harness up at daylight for the march but do not
start till 11 o'clock. Departing of sick and
discharged men start in the direction of Dumfries over
an old road which seemed as if it had not been
traveled for years. By short moves and long stops we
make but a few miles and go into camp early.
Civil War bugle calls
Call to Arms |
Assembly |
Charge |
Boots & Saddles |
Rally |
Taps |
To Horse |
|
