Gettysburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Fifth New York Light Artillery
Artillery Reserve - Second Volunter Brigade
— Army of the Potomac —
Photographed By Craig Swain, April 7, 2007
1. Fifth New York Light Artillery Tablet
Artillery Reserve
Second Volunteer Brigade
Fifth New York Light Artillery
Six 20 pounder Parrotts
Captain Elijah D. Taft Commanding
July 2 Arrived and halted in park about 10.30 a.m. Moved to the Cemetery at 3.30 p.m. and engaged from 4 p.m. until dark. Four guns South of and facing Baltimore Pike firing on a Confederate battery on Benner's Hill. Two guns firing westwardly.
July 3 Engaged at intervals in same position until 4 p.m. One gun on Baltimore Pike having burst the other three relieved the section firing westwardly. Remained in this position until the close of the battle.
Casualties killed 1 man, wounded 2 men.
Ammunition expended 1114 rounds.
Erected by Gettysburg National Military Park Commission.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.
Location. 39° 49.218′ N, 77° 13.729′ W. Marker is in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. Marker is at the intersection of Baltimore Pike (State Road 97) and Slocum Avenue, on the right when traveling south on Baltimore Pike. Located adjacent to the entrance of Evergreen Cemetery, on the east side of Cemetery Hill, Gettysburg National Military
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Second Volunteer Brigade (a few steps from this marker); Battery L, 1st New York Light Artillery (within shouting distance of this marker); 4th Ohio Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Fifth New York Light Artillery (within shouting distance of this marker); The Confederate Attack Towards This Position (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Artillery Brigade (about 300 feet away); ...broken by gunfire... (about 300 feet away); Battery B, Fourth U.S. Artillery (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gettysburg.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Taft's Battery at Gettysburg.
Also see . . . 5th Independent Battery. A unit history. The battery served with the Army of the Potomac from the Peninsula Campaign until the summer of 1864. It was transferred to the Shenandoah Valley and served much of the rest of the war there. Interestingly, this unit history cites two killed and two wounded. (Submitted on August 3, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Photographed By Craig Swain, April 7, 2007
2. Tablet Between Four 20-pdr Parrott Rifles
Photographed By Craig Swain, April 7, 2007
3. Fifth New York Light Artillery Position
The "east side" position of the battery is represented by four 20-pounder Parrott Rifled cannon. Somewhat erroneous to a degree, three of the pieces are of Confederate manufacture, cast by Tredegar Iron Works, Richmond, Virginia. All three were produced in 1864. The fourth is a reproduction cast well after the war to supplement the original pieces. Two original Federal pieces stand on the north side of the cemetery, marking the position of the "westwardly" section.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 29, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 3, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,839 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 3, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
