Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-06-27
Parker's Battery at Gettysburg
Some Interesting Facts.

In connection with the reunion TO take
place next week at Gettysburg Of the Parker
Battery Association the following facts may
be interesting heTeabOuts.
On the close OF the first days fight this
battery went into camp on the llne with the
infantry. This is contrary 10 military law,
but It was often done by this battery. not
that the captain was anxious for the fray,
but upon the principle OF the boy at the cir-
Gus who gets on the front bench ''tO see
everything" Next morning (3d) 1t was day
at o'clock, and the stirring incidents OF the
day before, the rapid advance Of the whole
line with comparative ease, the sight Of
eleven thousand Federal prisoners going to
the rear &C., left the mind at tension that
promoted sound sleep. vt 4:30 O'Clock
some skrmlshers were seen advancing upon
our left in deep rayine, aud the Captain
ordered several shots fired at them, upon
which they promptly retired. This was the
first gun fred on either side that day.
The terrific cann0nade that preceded
Picketfs charge was begun about O'Clock,
and Parker's battery was ordered by General
Alexander TO "open tue ball" Our neigh
Dor "Dayie Brown" pulled the lanyard that
let loose the l20 dogs Of war which shook the
atmosphere thirty miles away.
the battery was the finding itself after Pick.
etrs failure and the withdrawal Of the whole
line, Infantry and artillery, hall mile 10 the
rear, exposed TO the whole Of the enemy's
artillery upon a most prominent position.
This condition OF thinEs was not recog-
nized at once by the Captain, but very fully in
a short while, as he found that the enemy's
shsrpshooters were advancing on him, and
the rafting OF miunie-balls in the spOkes OF
the cannOn-wheels was rather OInInOus. He
sent bis sergeant b know why he was left in
such an exposed position. While tue ser
geant was away on this mission Colonel Free
mantle, the correspondent OF the London
Times, rode up and asked why was tbs bat
terry left here. He was told that no orders
had been received. lie expressed his sur
prise st the cheerfuIness Of the men in their
perilous position. In his letter TO the Tunes
ne said The only reason that be could assign
for General Meade's failure 10 advance his
whole army aIf aIt9ck Lee asier
Pickett's failure was the presence
OF thk battery that commanded bis
advance for fully one mile IN the battery's
left. The Colonel had hardly left before
General Longstreet rode up aud inquired
"What Is this battery doing bere?" He
was told. He said this Is a mistake. Ii
quired for the Captain, who was in the
peach orchard watching. lest the infantry
might flank him and capture bis guns. In
the conversation the Captain told the Gene.
raj that be realized his position aud had sent
to General McLaws for an explanation, but
added that this we. an important position,
and IL he the GeneraD would send him a
hundred infantry TO watch Ia the peach-or-
chard he would endeayor 10 hold his
ground longer. Tue hurdred men
were promptly sent, bat did not repair
long. Having fred all It's ammunition
the request was sent TO Lieutenant Ander-
son half mile TO the left. who was seen try
Ing TO get of the field disabled gun. TO lend
what shot be had. This was cheerfully dcne
aud the battery kept up the fight with sharp
shooters for two hours or more Until the last
shot was fred. when, Just before sunset, II
withdrew from the field, having fited during
the day l.li2 rounds loearly 800 shot TO q