Cumberland Township in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

First New York Battery

Artillery Brigade - Sixth Corps

By Craig Swain, December 27, 2008

1. First New York Battery Monument

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

(Front):Double Canister at ten yards
July 3rd 1863.
Cowans First New York Battery
Artillery Brigade - Sixth Corps.
(Back):Erected in memory of our comrades, July 3rd. 1887.
"The world can never forget what they did here."During the cannonade preceding Longstreet's assault, the battery was engaged a short distance farther to the left, but by order of General Webb, it moved at a gallop to this position, which Battery B. 1st R.I. Artillery had occupied. Skirmishing had just commenced. The Confederate lines were advancing and continued their charge in the most splendid manner up to our position. The artillery fire was continuous and did much execution. Our last charge, double canister, was fired when some of the enemy were over the defences and within ten yards of our guns. Our loss was four men and fourteen horses killed, two lieutenants and six men wounded. The Battery was relieved on the morning of July 5th and returned to the Sixth Corps.

Erected 1887 by State of New York.

Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil

Back of Monument image. Click for full size.

By Craig Swain, December 27, 2008

2. Back of Monument

Click or scan to see
this page online

. A significant historical date for this entry is July 3, 1863.

Location. 39° 48.741′ N, 77° 14.138′ W. Marker is in Cumberland Township, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. Memorial is on Hancock Avenue, on the left when traveling north. Located in front of the "Copse of Trees" on Cemetery Ridge at Gettysburg National Military Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Gettysburg PA 17325, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. High Water Mark (a few steps from this marker); Nineteenth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (a few steps from this marker); Battery B, 1st Rhode Island Artillery (a few steps from this marker); 106th Pennsylvania Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker); Fifteenth Massachusetts Vounteer Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker); 4th Maine Regiment (within shouting distance of this marker); Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker); 42nd New York Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cumberland Township.

Also see . . . 1st Independent Battery, New York Artillery. Service history of the battery. (Submitted on February 16, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Relief on Front of Monument image. Click for full size.

By Craig Swain, December 27, 2008

3. Relief on Front of Monument

The relief depicts the battery in action during the repulse of the Confederate charge.

State Seal on Side of Monument image. Click for full size.

By Craig Swain, December 27, 2008

4. State Seal on Side of Monument

Greek Cross of Sixth Corps image. Click for full size.

By Craig Swain, December 27, 2008

5. Greek Cross of Sixth Corps

Cowan's Battery Position image. Click for full size.

By Craig Swain, December 27, 2008

6. Cowan's Battery Position

Two 3-inch Ordnance Rifles represent the battery, flanking the monument. The rifles display the registry numbers 107 and 205. Behind the monument is a monument to Battery B, 1st Rhode Island. A 12-pounder Napoleon for that battery appears on the left of this photo.

Wide view of the First New York Battery Marker image. Click for full size.

By J. Makali Bruton, September 3, 2015

7. Wide view of the First New York Battery Marker

Tube #205 Cowan's Battery [1st NY Independent], view toward the west. image. Click for full size.

By David J Tooley, October 19, 2008

8. Tube #205 Cowan's Battery [1st NY Independent], view toward the west.

Image taken with camera on the breech area of Tube #205. The marker directly in line with the tube is for the Fifteenth Massachusetts Infantry.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 4, 2020. It was originally submitted on February 16, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,162 times since then and 5 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on February 16, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 7. submitted on September 5, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Querétaro, Mexico. 8. submitted on November 1, 2009, by David J Tooley of San Diego, California.