USA > Massachusetts > History of the Fifth Massachusetts Battery : organized October 3, 1861, mustered out June 12, 1865, v.2 > Part 14
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REPORT OF COLONEL FREEMAN McGILVERY. FOUND AMONG THE PAPERS OF MAJOR CHARLES A. PHILLIPS :
"Report of the part taken by the Ist Brigade Vol. Division Artillery Reserve. and other Batteries under my command in the Battle near Gettysburg Fa. July 2d and 3d 1863."
The list of batteries composing the Brigade is here given, then follows the Report :
"GENERAL R. O. TYLER, Commanding Artillery Reserve A. P. General.
I have the honor to respectfully report that my Brigade being in park at a central position near our line of battle at half-past three o'clock 1,. m. on the ed of July, I received an order from yourself to report to General Sickles with one Light 12 pdr. and one Rifled Battery.
The 5th Mass. Battery, Captain Phillips, and gth Mass. Battery Cap- tain Bigelow were marched immediately to a position occupied by Gen- eral Sickles, near a belt of oak woods considerably in front of the pro- longation of the natural line of defenses of our Army on the Left Cen- tre, in which General Sickles' command was engaged with the enemy.
By General Sickles' order I made an examination of the ground, and placed the two Mass. Batteries in a position that commanded most of the open country between the woods held by our troops on the Left Centre and the woods and high ground occupied by the enemy on their right. A New Jersey Battery immediately on the right of the two Mass. Batteries, was receiving the most of the fire of two or more rebel batteries. Hart's 15th New York Battery reporting at that time, I placed it in position in a Peach Orchard on the right and a little to the front of the New Jersey Battery. The four batteries already mentioned presented a front nearly at right angles with the position occupied by our troops facing. towards our left, the fire of which I concentrated on single rebel batteries, and five or more were driven in succession from their position.
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Captain Thompson's F and C consolidated Pa. Battery of my Bri- gade, took position on the right of the 15th New York Battery, two sections of which battery fronted and fired in the direction of those heretofore mentioned and the right section fronted to the right and opened fire on a section or more of rebel artillery posted in the woods at canister range, immediately on the right of the batteries under my command, the enfilade fire of which was inflicting serious damage through the whole line of my command. At about 5 o'clock a heavy column of rebel infantry made its appearance in a grain field about 850 yards in front. moving at quick time towards the woods on our left where the infantry fighting was then going on. A well directed fire from all the batteries was brought to bear upon them, which destroyed the order of their march and drove many back into the woods on their right. though the main portion of the column. succeeded in reaching the point for which they started, and sheltered themselves from the artil- lery fire.
In a few minutes another and larger column appeared at about 750 yds. presenting a slight left flank to our position. I immediately trained the entire line of our guiis upon them, and opened with various kinds of ammunition. The column continued to move on at double quick, until its head reached a barn immediately in front of my left battery at about 400 yards distant, when it came to a halt. I gave them canis- ter and solid shot with such good effect that I am surethat several hun- dred were put hors du combat in a short space of time. The column was broken ; part fled in the direction from whence it came, part pushed on into the woods on our left. The remainder endeavored to shelter themselves in masses around the house and barn. I visited the position after the battle where the column in confusion massed up around the house and barn heretofore mentioned, and found 120 odd dead belong- ing to three So. Carolina Regiments. This mortality was no doubt from the effects of the artillery fire. The asperities of the ground in front of my batteries were such as to enable the enemy's sharpshooter> in large numbers to cover themselves within very short range. At about a quarter to six o'clock the enemy's infantry gained possession of the woods immediately on the left of my line of batteries, and our in- fantry fell back both on our right and left, when great disorder ensued on both flanks of the line of batteries. At this period of the action all the batteries were exposed to a warm infantry fire from both flanks and front, whereupon I ordered them to retire 230 yards and renew their fire. The New Jersey Battery mentioned being out of ammunition re- tired to the rear. The 15th New York Battery also retired from the field. Captains Bigelow and Phillips, who were under my observation about all the time, evinced great coolness and skill in retiring their hat- teries. Captain Phillips with Lieut. Scott and four men hauled off one piece by hand. every horse on the limber having been shot down. Lieut.
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Scott was shot through the face whilst at this work, and it is a mystery to me that they were not all hit by the enemy's fire, as they were nearly surrounded and fired upon from almost every direction. Captain Bigelow retired by prolonge, firing canister, which with Captains Phil- lips and Thompson firing on his right in their new position, the enemy was checked effectually in his advance for a short time. Captain Thompson, having all the horses killed from the limber of one of his pieces whilst retiring. was compelled to leave the piece, which fell into the hands of the enemy.
The erisis of the engagement had now arrived. I gave Captain Bigelow orders to hold his position as long as possible at all hazards, in order to give me time to form a new line of artillery, and justice demands that I should state that Captain Bigelow did hold his position, and execute his firing. with a deliberation and destructive effect upon the enemy in such a manner as only a brave and skilled officer could, until one officer killed and the others wounded and more than half liis men either killed or wounded and his horses all shot down at the lin- bers, he was forced to leave four guns and retire. Lieut. Milton brought two guns safely to the rear. In the meantime I formed a new line of artillery about 400 yds. to the rear, close under the woods, and covering the opening which led into the Gettysburg and Taneytown road, of the following batteries and parts of batteries: Battery I, 5th Regulars, and a volunteer battery which I have never been able to learn the name of. Three guns of the 5th Mass. Battery, Two of Captain Thompson's Pa. Battery, and commenced firing on the enemy's line of infantry and ar- tillery which had formed in the open field only about 7 or 800 yards in our front: a brook running through low bushes parallel to our front midway between ours and the enemy's lines, being occupied by rebel sharpshooters. As soon as the 6th Maine Battery reported, which was just before sundown. I ordered canister to be used on the low bushes in front. which compelled them ( sharpshooters) to retire. About this time Pettit's Ist N. Y. Battery reported, and took a position on the right of the 6th Maine. At this time the enemy's fire. artillery -- was very rapid and heavy. The unknown volunteer battery heretofore mentioned left the field. The guns of Battery I, 5th Reg. were abandoned. Captain Thompson's guns being out of ammunition were sent to the rear. Pettit's Ist N. Y. Battery remained only a few minutes, and left while I was directing the fire of the 6th Maine and a section of the 5th Mass. Captain Phillips, which remained in position and kept up a well directed fire upon the enemy's lines until they had ceased firing, which was about 8 o'clock. I then placed Captain Scely's Regular Battery Lieut. James, in position near Lient. Dow's Battery, with instructions to watch the enemy closely and fire upon any advancing column. or reply to any artillery that might be opened upon ns. There ended the engagement of the 2d of July. A detail was now made from the 6th
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Maine and Seely's Battery, to go to the front and haul off the guns of Battery I, 5th Regulars. Lieut. Dow I instructed to procure an infan- try detail and go to the front and haul off the guns of the gth Mass., ali of which was accomplished. The Guns of the two batteries, numbering S, were brought safely to the rear, and arrangements made to secure their safe transportation in the event of any contingeney that might necessitate a retreat or other movement. During the engagement my horse was hit four times in the fore shoulder and breast by musketry. once on the fore leg by shell, and once on the hip by spent solid shot, of which wounds he soon after died. During the night I ascertained the whereabouts of all my batteries and early in the morning of the 3d of July brought them into line on the low ground on our left centre, front- ing the woods and elevated position occupied by the enemy along the Gettysburg and Emmittsburg road, a point at which it was plain to be seen they were massing artillery in great force. The line of batteries under my command commencing on the left, which rested on an oak wood occupied by our infantty were in numbers and kinds of guns, as follows :--
Ames' Battery G. Ist N. Y., 6 Lt. 12 Pdrs.
Dow's 6th Maine Battery 4 Lt. 12 Pdrs.
A New Jersey Battery 6, 3 in. Guns.
One Seetion New York Artillery, Lieut. Rank 2, 3 in. Guns.
[Rank's Section, Battery H, 3d Penn. Heavy, see p. 654.]
Ist Conn. 4 James Rifled & 2 Howitzers.
Hart's 15th New York Ind. Battery 4 Lt. 12 Pors.
Phillips' 5th Mass. 6, 3 in. Rifles.
Thompson's Battery F. & C. Consolidated Pa. Art'y 5. 3 in. Rifled. Total 39 Guns.
In front of these batteries I had a slight earthwork thrown up, which proved sufficient to resist all the projectiles which struck it, and the commanders of batteries were repeatedly ordered that in the event of the enemy's opening a cannonading fire upon our lines to eover their men as much as possible, and not to return the fire until ordered.
At about half-past 12 o'clock the enemy opened a terrifie fire upon our lines, with at least 140 Guns; this fire was very rapid and inaccu- rate, inost of the projectiles passing from 20 to 100 feet over our lines. About one half hour after the commencement some general command- ing the infantry line, ordered three of the batteries to return the fire. After they had fired a few rounds I ordered the fire to cease, and the men to be covered.
After the enemy had fired about an hour and a half, and expended at least 10,000 rounds of ammunition with but comparatively little damage to our immediate line, a slow, well-directed fire from all the guns under my command was concentrated upon single batteries of the enemy of those best in view and several were badly broken up, and suc-
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cessively driven from their position to the rear. At about 3 p. m., a line of battle of about 3 or 4000 men appeared, advancing directly upon our front, which were completely broken up and scattered by our fire before coming within musket range of our Guns. Immediately after appeared three extended lines of battle of, at least, 35.000 men, advancing upon our centre. Those 3 lines of battle presented an oblique front to the guns under my command, and by training the whole line of guns ob- liquely to the right, we had a raking fire through all three of their lines.
The execution of the fire must have been terrible, as it was over a level plain, and the effect was plain to be seen. In a few minutes in- stead of well ordered lines of battle. they were broken and confused masses. and fugitives flying in every direction.
This ended the operations of the batteries under my command at the battle of Gettysburg.
In conclusion I feel it my duty to state that the officers and men of the batteries in my Brigade behaved in the most gallant manner on the ad of July, where the battle raged most furiously. Part of the 5th and gth Mass. and C. & F. Consolidated Pa. Art'y, contested every inch of ground. and remained on the field to the very last. The 6th Maine Battery came into action in very opportune time, and rendered very valuable service. Captain Irish (Nathaniel Irish) of Battery F, Pa. Artillery, acting voluntary aid to me, was hit on the thigh in the early part of the engagement by solid shot, but would not leave the field until ordered by me to do so to have his wound dressed, and notwithstand- ing a serious contusion which he was suffering under, reported to me on the morning of the 3d of July, and remained with me during the day, ready to discharge any duty.
Captains Phillips and Bigelow's conduct was gallant in the extreme.
F. McGILVERY Col. Me. Art'y Comm'd' g. Brigade."
This copy of Colonel McGilvery's report was not dated, but the note accompanying it was written at
HEAD QUARTERS IST BRIGADE ART'Y RESERVE A. P. September 17, 1863.
Captain:
Herewith I send you a true copy of my report of the part taken by my Brigade in the Battle of Gettysburg, and as I have no other copy. you will greatly oblige me if. you will cause a copy to be written for
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yourself, and return the one I send you as soon as you have done with it. I shall try to come over and see you this evening.
Very truly yours,
F. McGILVERY.
CAPT. PHILLIPS
Com'd'g 5th Mass. Battery.
THE MONUMENTS.
"The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have conse- crated it far above our power to add or detract."
-ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
Immediately after the invading forces had been driven out of Pennsylvania, Governor Andrew Y. Curtin, the "War Governor" of that state, with the co-operation of the govern ors of states represented on the field, proceeded to secure a suitable site of seventeen acres adjoining the village cemetery, for the interment of the soldiers who there fell in defense of the Union, and purchased it in the name of the state of Pennsylvania, which assumed the expense of main- tenance, while the cost of re-interment and the erection of a suitable monument, was borne by the several states in due proportion. For this purpose, Massachusetts appro- priated $9,471.83; her burials numbered 159.
Unknown 979. Total for all the states 3.555. But this does not, by any means, represent the actual loss of the Union army in killed and wounded. Many bodies were ex- humed and taken North for burial, and some of those buried in the cemetery died of disease after the battle. The head- stones for the known and unknown cost. $20,000. The work of disinterment on the battlefield and removal to the cemetery beautifully located on the highest ground of Cemetery Ridge, commenced October 27, 1863.
Major General Darius N. Couch of Taunton, Mass., was in charge of the arrangements for the dedication in these grounds, November 19, 1863. of a monument which cost
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$50,000. The Hon. Edward Everett, ex-governor of Mas- sachusetts and ex-president of Harvard College, delivered the oration in the presence of the President of the United States, members of his cabinet, foreign ministers, governors of many states, and an immense concourse of people, and President Lincoln made his famous Gettysburg address.
In 1864, the legislature of Pennsylvania passed an act establishing "The Gettysburg Battlefield Memorial Asso- ciation." In 1867, and 1868, Pennsylvania appropriated $3000 for the purchase of land on the battlefield, which was used in the acquisition of land on Culp's and Cemetery Hills and Little Round Top.
On July 1. 1869, the national monument was dedicated; address by General George G. Meade, an oration by Govern- or O. P. Morton of Indiana, and an ode by Bayard Taylor.
In 1872, the cemetery was transferred to the care of the National Government in whose charge it has since remained, and generous appropriations have been made for its im- provement by congress; titles to lands on the battlefield being acquired.
Congress in 1873. and 1887, donated a large number of cannon and cannon balls to the Gettysburg Battlefield Me- morial Association, which have been effectively used; the cannon being placed in positions occupied by the batteries during the battle.
Tablets as markers were erected on Little Round Top by Grand Army Posts of Pennsylvania, but the first regimental monument erected on the battlefield, was that of the Second Massachusetts Infantry, Twelfth Corps, in 1879. It is near Spangler's Spring, which is on Culp's Hill just in the rear of the Twelfth Corps line. The next was in 1880, the gIst Penn. Infantry, Fifth Corps, on Little Round Top. In 1883, an appropriation of $5000 was received from the state of Massachusetts, which was the first grant of money for the erection of monuments on the field.
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At a meeting of the Gettysburg Battlefield Memorial Association May 5, 1887, it was resolved that hereafter regi- ments erecting monuments on the grounds of the Associa- tion would be required to locate and place them in the position held by the regiment in the line of battle, but that they would not be prohibited from erecting such markers on the field to indicate secondary or advanced positions, as the Association might determinc.
February 11, 1895. the Secretary of War was authorized by act of congress to receive from the Gettysburg Battle- field Memorial Association a deed of conveyance, embracing about 800 acres, and on May 22, 1895, at the last meeting of the board of directors, the land owned by the Association consisting of 600 acres and 17 miles of driveways, --- earth- works having been preserved or reconstructed whenever practicable,-was transferred to the United States Govern- ment. It is now under the care of three government com- missioners, and is known as "The Gettysburg National Park."
The total amount of expenditures made by the various states, 18 in number, on account of the Gettysburg battle- field, including purchase of land, cost of monuments and contributions to the work of the Memorial Association, exclusive of appropriations for the National Cemetery, is $680,228.33, of which Massachusetts' share is $30,000.
THE IOTH N. Y. IND. BATTERY.
FROM "NEW YORK AT GETTYSBURG," EDITED BY LIEUT. COL. WILLIAM F. Fox.
"At Gettysburg the Tenth New York was attached to Phillips' Fifth Massachusetts Battery, and with that command fought in the battles of the second and third day. Of the 21 men killed and wounded in Cap- tain Phillips' command. 5 were from the Tenth New York Battery. In the second day's battle. Phillips was stationed with his six guns on the road leading from the Wheatfield to the Peach Orchard, where he was hotly engaged. On the third day his battery was in position on Ceme- tery Ridge, when it participated in the grand cannonade of that day.
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FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
In July, 1863, after Gettysburg, the battery (Tenth) under command of Lieut. T. C. Bruen, was stationed in the defences of Washington, where it formed a part of the Twenty-second Corps. The monument is situated on what is now called 'Sickles Avenue,' on the north side of the road leading from the Peaeh Orchard to the Wheatfield and Little Roand Top. The general dimensions are, base 4' 3" x 3' 3". Total height 7' S". Bronze letter tablet on front 2' o" x 3' o". Materials of Construction Quincy (Mass.) granite and Standard bronze. Con- tractors .- Frederick & Field. Cost. $500."
INSCRIPTION. (FRONT.) "roth Independent Battery New York Light Artillery Ist Volunteer Brigade. Artillery Reserve. July 2, 1853 Attached to 5th Massachusetts Light Battery 'E.' Casualties. Killed 2, Wounded 3. Organized as the 2d Excelsior Battery Mustered into U. S. Service April 9, 1862 Consolidated with 6th
N. Y. Independent Battery June 21, 1864. Mustered out June 22, 1865."
THE FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
In 1883, the position selected for the monument to the men of the Fifth Mass. Battery, was a short distance farther to the front than that which it now occupies, but it was thought best to place it on the ridge beside those of the Ninth Mass. Battery, and Clarke's Battery (Batterv B, Ist N. J.) on Sickles Avenue, Wheatfield Road. It stands near the road running from the Peach Orchard to Little Round Top. It is of pure granite, and was made and erected by the Smith Granite Company of Westerly, Rhode
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Island; about five feet square, resting on two bases, and about six feet high, with bevelled top. On the top are two sponge staves crossed. On the front face is the Fifth Corps badge, and within the Maltese Cross are the words :--
FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS BATTERY.
On the right :---
THE NATION LIVES.
On the base :----
RESERVE ARTILLERY. On the left :-- 7 enlisted men killed. I officer and 12 enlisted Men wounded. 700 rounds fired. Chs. A. Phillips, Captain Commanding. July 2d, 1863.
The cost of the monument was $550, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts contributing $500, and the Battery the remainder.
On July 15, 1885, at a meeting of veteran organizations of the state of Massachusetts, arrangements were planned for its dedication, which took place Thursday, October 8, 1885, between 9 and 10 o'clock, a. m., in a drizzling rain. The members of the Battery present were Captain Henry D. Scott, Corporal Thomas E. Chase, Serg't. Patrick Welsh, Privates John G. Sanford and John F. Murray, and Corporal Rodney Campbell. Captain Scott made the dedi- catory address, and remarks were made by Captain John F.
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ـلتجر.
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FIFTH MASS. BATTERY.
Murray, secretary of the Fifth Mass. Battery Association. At the close of Captain Scott's address "America" and "Auld Lang Syne" were sung.
At 2 o'clock in the afternoon the Fifth Mass. Battery monument, with others dedicated on that day, was turned over by Colonel Edward J. Russell of Worcester, Mass., a veteran of the Fifteenth Mass. Reg't. Infantry, and a member of the Governor's Staff, representing His Excel- lency Governor George D. Robinson, to the keeping of the Gettysburg Battlefield Memorial Association. The cere- mony took place in the hall of Corporal Skelly Post 9, G. A. R.
At the exercises at the Court House, after the deeoration of the graves of the Massachusetts dead in the National Cemetery, the following message from Governor Robinson was read :-
BOSTON, Oct. 8, 1885. To COLONEL EDWARD J. RUSSELL, Gettysburg, Pa.
Massachusetts will never fail to appreciate the noble heroism and abundant loyalty of her soldiers on the field of Gettysburg. She offers now her tenderest tribute of reverence to the memory of her sons who fell there in defence of liberty and union.
GEO. D. ROBINSON.
The band played "Home, Sweet Home." Among the speakers was Colonel John B. Batchelder of Hyde Park. Mass., the Government Historian of the Battle of Gettys- burg, who described successively the movements of the Massachusetts organizations in the battle. The Memorial Association was represented by Mr. David H. Buckler, vice- president of the organization. At 5.30 the exercises closed with the singing of "My Country, 'tis of thee," and thus ended the dedicatory exercises of the Fifth Mass. Battery Monument at Gettysburg. In the words of Lieut. Edward M. Knox, wounded at Gettysburg, in his address at the
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dedication of the 15th N. Y. Ind. Battery, Hart's, July 2, 1888 :--
"Stand here, oh block of granite Against all storms of time!"
THE HIGH-WATER MARK.
At a meeting of the board of directors of the Gettys- burg Battlefield Memorial Association May 10, 1891, the board approved the plan for a large tablet at the "Copse of Trees" or "High-Water Mark," at the position of the Second Corps, Hancock Avenue. This designation of "high-water mark" was applied by the historian William Swinton in his "Prelude to Gettysburg," 1867 :-.
"Into this bunch of woods a few,-it may be a score or two, -- of the boldest and bravest that led the van of Pickett's charging column on the 3d of July, 1863, attained. Thus far the swelling surge of invasion threw its spray, dashing itself to pieces on the rocky bulwark of North- ern valor. Let us call this the high-water mark of the rebellion."
What is called the "bloody angle" was the angle made by Pickett's line crossing the two stone walls. At the northernmost crossing he was stopped. This was the "rocky bulwark" upon which the invasion dashed itself to pieces. The corner was held by Webb's Brigade of the Second Corps, July 3d. 1863.
The inscription on the Right Hand Page of the bronze book is as follows :--
"REPULSE OF LONGSTREET'S ASSAULT.
Longstreet's assault was repulsed by Webb's, Hall's, and Harrow's Brigade of Gibbon's Division, Second Army Corps.
Smyth's and Willard's Brigades, and portions of Carroll's Brigade of Hay's Division, Second Army Corps, and the First Massachusetts Sharpshooters (unattached).
شهر فجيت سو على
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Portion of Rowley's and Stannard's Brigades of Double- day's Division, First Army Corps.
Hazard's Second Army Corps Artillery Brigade consist- ing of Woodruff's, Arnold's, Cushing's, Brown's and Rorty's Batteries, assisted on the right by Hill's, Edgell's, Eakin's, Bancroft's, Dilger's, and Taft's Batteries on Ceme- tery Hill and on the left by
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