Cumberland Township near Gettysburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Macon's Battery - Dearing's Battalion
Pickett's Division - Longstreet's Corps
— Army of Northern Virginia —
Photographed By Craig Swain, August 17, 2008
1. Dearing's Battalion - Macon's Battery Tablet
Longstreet's Corps Pickett's Division
Dearing's Battalion Macon's Battery
The Richmond Fayette Artillery
Two Napoleons and Two 10 pounder Parrotts
July 3 Advanced to the front about daybreak. Later in the morning took position on the ridge west of the Emmitsburg road and near the Rogers House but remained inactive until the signal guns were fired some time after noon. Moved forward then to the crest of the hill and took a prominent part in the cannonade. Ammunition was exhausted while Longstreet's column was advancing the last rounds being fired at the Union infantry assailing his right flank. Efforts to procure a fresh supply of ammunition proving unsuccessful the Battery was withdrawn.
July 4 In line of battle all day with the left wing of McLaws's Division. Marched at sunset to Black Horse Tavern.
Losses not reported in detail.
Erected 1910 by Gettysburg National Military Park Commission.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant day of the year for for this entry is July 3.
Location. 39° 48.318′ N, 77° 15.366′ W. Marker is near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. It is in Cumberland Township. Marker is at the intersection of West
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Dearing's Battalion (a few steps from this marker); Lieutenant General James Longstreet (within shouting distance of this marker); Caskie's Battery - Dearing's Battalion - (within shouting distance of this marker); Stribling's Battery - Dearing's Battalion (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Norcom's Battery - Eshleman's Battalion (about 500 feet away); Patterson's Battery - Lane's Battalion (about 600 feet away); Richardson's Battery - Eshleman's Battalion (about 700 feet away); Eshleman's Battalion (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gettysburg.
Additional commentary.
1. Lt. William Izard Clopton of Macon's Battery writing of July 3, 1863
After taking this position and driving off the skirmishers, Lt. William Izard Clopton of Macon's Battery (Richmond Fayette Artillery) recalled, "Herw we lay until one o'clock, such terrible suspense I never endured."
When the artillery barrage commenced, Clopton further noted that "The very earth seemed to
Photographed By Craig Swain, August 17, 2008
2. Dearing's Battalion - Macon's Battery Tablet
A platform for an artillery display is next to the tablet. The battery's position was much farther to the east, near the Emmitsburg Road. At the time of the park creation (and tablet placement) the battery location was not owned by the park or within the allowed easement. The red barn in the background is Sherfy's. Dearing's Battalion deployed to the north of that barn.
It was just as the ammunition supply started to run out that the Federal batteries disappear from the opposite ridge. At 3:10 p.m. Pickett's men started the advance toward Emmitsburg Road. As they passed through and by the battalion, the artillerists raised a cheer for their brave and noble comrades. Clopton remembered:
"Pickett's Division emerged from the woods behind us five thousand strong.... in a solid line of battle - they passed us and charged straight across the valley in our front which was the valley of the shadow of death for them. The batteries of the enemy now turned on them and how the poor fellows fell but on they rushed and carried the works. They were not supported. The enemy fell upon them by Divisions, overwhelming them. The Division was literally crushed. It was a horrid sight. I hope my eyes will never witness such a scene again...."
From pp. 78-79, The Richmond Fayette, Hampden, Thomas, and Blount's Lynchburg Artillery (H.E. Howard, Inc., 1991), by Robert H. Moore, II. Clopton's letters originally sourced to the John Clopton Papers, Duke University.
— Submitted March 22, 2009, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia.
2. Casualties for Macon's Battery during the Gettysburg Campaign
Three killed; three wounded; seven captured; none missing in action; eight horses lost.
— Submitted March 22, 2009, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 4, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 908 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 4, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
