Gettysburg Artillery help. 6 Pounder Confederate Left

nchistory · Jul 16, 2015

Confederate 6lbr side loader Recovered in the 1960’s, Gettysburg, Eastern Culp’s Hill, where Nichols Brigade crossed East Confederate Ave. There is no known written documentation that a 6 lbr was used on the Confederate left, yet I now know of 2 recovered from Culp’s Hill. I’m sure there are more in Gettysburg collections, yet I don’t have access. Many have thought this case shot to have been dropped there, but now there is evidence of a war log recovered in the 1930’s by the CCC that contains a 6 lbr. It wasn’t dropped into a tree. When physical evidence is dismissed in lieu of written documentation it reminds me of archeologists that uncovered the palisade fence at Fort Fisher in 1962. When determined it was made of pine, one archeologist remarked “it can’t be, General Lamb in his letter said it was made of palmetto”. Physical evidence can’t be discounted, it is a cue to dig deeper. Even if a 6 lbr was not in use, could discontinued ammunition been fired from a 12 lbr? I read somewhere that part of Longstreet’s ammo train when captured contained cut rail to be fired from 12 lbrs. All and any help is greatly appreciated.
The only documented 6 pounder used in the battle of Gettysburg was Branch’s North Carolina Battery commanded by Capt. Latham. Latham was attached to Hood’s Division and went into action 4PM July 2 on the Emmitsburg Rd. They responded to Union Artillery in the Peach Orchard. Their field of fire, Peach Orchard, Rose Farm, Wheatfield, and Devil’s Den. The range of a 6 pounder was 1533 yards. The 6 pounder of Latham’s was disabled July 2, from the duel near the Peach Orchard with the 5th & 9th Massachusetts Battery, and was not in action July 3rd. The 6 & 12-pounder of Latham’s Battery were replaced with 2 captured 10 pound Parrotts from Smith’s NY Battery captured at Devil’s Den.
From M. W. HENRY’s report,
Major, Commanding Artillery Battalion.
July 1.--Left camp (Fayetteville) in the afternoon, and marched 10

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miles on the road to Gettysburg, Pa.
July 2.--Left camp, marched to Gettysburg, and took position in the afternoon on the right of our line, and engaged the enemy's artillery with two batteries, Captains [James] Reilly and [A. C.] Latham. During the evening, one 3-inch rifle belonging to Captain Reilly's battery burst. Captured and brought off the field this night three 10-pounder Parrott rifles.
July 3.--Engaged the enemy again in the same position with the whole battalion. During the two days' fighting, lost 4 men killed and 23 wounded. Expended about 1,500 rounds of ammunition.
“July 4.--Changed position, and remained on battle-field until 6 p.m.; then took up line of march, and continued it through the night. Hauled off one 6-pounder bronze field piece and one 12-pounder howitzer, for which the captured Parrott guns had been substituted.”
July 5.--Still marching. At 2 p.m. took up camp on the South Mountain. The 6-pounder and 12-pounder howitzers, having merely the gun-carriage attached, were abandoned necessarily for the want of the proper means of transportation.