The National tribune., 1891-02-05
Read Better than Pension on page s.
GETTYSBURG.
Positions OF the Batteries ca or Near the Peach
Orchard.

Positions Of the Batteries IN or Near the Peach
Orchard.
EDIToRNATIoEAL TRIBUNE: would like TO
have a word TO say as 10 what batteries were in
the Peach Orchard at Gettysburg July2, 1863.
ia your paper of Jan. J. 1891, Capt Hart in
answer 20 w. III. Quay, Go. L. 6Sth Pa, claims
that Philipss 9th Mass, aud Harris 18th N. y.
batteries were the batteries that occupied that
position on the "a, and for the second time
states that McGlvery WAS not battery COM
mauder At Gettysburg, but does not state what
McGilvery was.
Now, T. McGilvery at that time was Lieu
tenant Colonel, aud was in command o! the
First Volunteer Brigade Of IyleT's Reserve Ar
tIlleTy, which consisted OF the following bat
teries: Harris 18th H. " Clarl's y. j., PHIL
lips's 9th Mass, Bigelows 9Th Mass, and
ThOmpson's and Iamptons consolidated Pa.
batteries. j am not certain, but think Ames S
n. " aud Bandolph's r. l. batteries also be-
longcd to McGilyery's Brigade az that time.
About o'clock p. IN, July 2, McGiivery's
Brigade was ordered into position on the left
center, between the Third aud Fifth Corps, in
the following order: Thompson's and Hamp-
tons consolidated Pa batteries in the Peach
Orchard, with their right at or very near the
Emm itsburg road, with the rest Of the brigade
posted on their left in the following order
Harris 18th n. Y, Clark's \. j., Phillips's 9Th
Mass, Bigclow's 9Th Mass: and think Amcs S
y. Y. and Randolphs L. J. batteries were TO the
right OF Thonpsons aud Hampton's CONSOLE
dated batteries
This was the position Of the different batter
les named &C the time the rebels made their
grand attack on this part Of our line, about 4
O'clock p. ~. July 2, 1863
Th0mpsOn's and Hampton's consolidated bat
terics formed what might be called the artillery
angle IN the Peach Orchard, as they had two
guns pointing west aud four south.
What other positions the different batteries
OF the brigade may have occupied before we
were finally compelled 10 retire 10 Cemetery
Ridge am unable TO say, rs the changes were
rather frequent, AS well as compulsory, for the
next two hours.
Now, do not mean TO say Capt. Harris bat
terry, or portion Of it, was not in the Peach
Orchard at the time. il probably was; but
DO say that Phillips 9th Mass. battery was not
in the Peach Orchard at that time, and could
not have been less than 100 to 80 yards cast
Of the Peach Orchard.
IN proof Of what ] say, visitors TO the battle
LCld Of Gettysburg Will fud the monuments
Of IhompsoH's aud Hampton's batteries stand
ing IN the Peach Orchard aud those Of the 9Th
aud Sth Mass. at some distance east Of the
Peach Orchard.
During my last visit 10 Gettysburg, In Sep
tember, lssS, ] did not see any monument Of
Harris battery at or near the Peach Orchard
aud do not think they had at that time a mon
umcnt erected there
As for Col. Bachelors record, that Comrade
Hart refers Comrade Quay TO- have no doubt
but u rs as near correct as IL is possible for such
record 10 be. But la order 10 give a complete
and correct account Of the different post ous
occupied by the many different organizatio ions
I OF the army during the three days battle oil
/ Gettysburg, man would have 10 be endowed
/ with supreme pOweTs.-S. J. CREEsE Hamp.
/ tons battery, Foster Brook, Pa