Battle of Gettysburg
Supported 3rd Corps in battle of July 2, and was the last of five Batteries to withdraw, firing by prolong when the Corps was obliged to fall back. After retiring 400 yards it was ordered to make a stand close to the Trostle house and hold that point at all hazards, until a line of Artillery could be formed. It was immediately charged by Col. Humphrey's 21st Mississippi Regiment, which entered the Battery and were fought hand to hand by the Cannoneers until they had suffered a loss of 28 men killed and wounded and 65 horses, when it was ordered to fall back, having sacrificed itself for the safety of the line.
From the regiment's monument at Gettysburg: "1st position left gun Wheatfield Road 4:30 to 6 p.m. July 2, 1863. Shelled Confederate Batteries on Emmitsburg Road also the enemy around Rose Farm buildings. Enfiladed with canister Kershaw's Brigade C.S.A. moving across field in front from Emmitsburg Road to woods on left where battle was raging in front of Round Tops. 6 p.m. - alone on field. Graham's Brigade 3rd Corps forced from Peach Orchard had retired by detachments."
"By 'prolonge firing' retired before Kershaw's skirmishers and Barksdale's Brigade C.S.A. 400 yards."
"2nd position angle of stone wall near Trostle's House where the Battery was halted by Lieut. Colonel McGilvery and ordered to hold enemy in check until line of artillery could be formed 560 yards in the rear. Was without support and hemmed in by stone wall. Enemy closed in on flanks. Man and horses were shot down when finally overcome at 6:30 p.m. Lieut. Colonel McGilvery had batteries unsupported in position near the Weikert House covering opening in lines between Round Tops and left of 2nd Corps 3/4 mile occasioned by withdrawal of Graham's Brigade."
"7:15 p.m. Willard's Brigade 2nd Corps and later Lockwood's Brigade 12th Corps came to support of artillery. 8 p.m. the enemy finally repulsed."
From the monument by the Trostle Farm: "2nd position, 6 p.m., July 2, 1863."
"Ninth Mass. Battery, Capt. Bigelow, by prolongue retired firing from the crossroads 400 yds. distant without infantry support before Barksdale's Confed. Brigade. Final stand made across this road."
From the monument in Ziegler's Grove: "Ninth Mass. Battery, Caprt. Bigelow, July 3d and 4th 1863. Two guns, Lt. Milton comdg."
The battery was commanded by Captain John Bigelow, who was wounded on July 2nd. Lieutenant Richard S. Milton then took command. The 9th brought 110 men to the field serving six 12-pounder Napoleons. It lost 8 men killed, 18 wounded and 2 missing |
