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

First Massachusetts Light Battery

By Craig Swain, December 27, 2008

1. First Massachusetts Light Battery Monument

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

First
Massachusetts
Light Battery
Artillery Brig. 6th Corps
July 3, 1863

Erected 1885 by State of Massachusetts.

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

Location. 39° 49.065′ N, 77° 13.895′ W. Marker is in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. Marker can be reached from Taneytown Road (State Highway 134), on the right when traveling north. Located in the Gettysburg National Cemetery, near the south entrance. 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 10 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Hall's Battery (a few steps from this marker); Lincoln Address Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Lincoln Address Memorial Plaza (within shouting distance of this marker); Soldiers' National Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); 1st Ohio Light Artillery, Battery H (Huntington's Battery) (within shouting distance of this marker); 1st New Hampshire Battery

Back of Monument image. Click for full size.

By Craig Swain, December 27, 2008

2. Back of Monument

On the back of the monument, facing west, is the Greek cross symbol of Sixth Corps suspended below an artillery badge. The two symbols are framed by palms.

(within shouting distance of this marker); Gettysburg Address (within shouting distance of this marker); Third Volunteer Brigade (within shouting distance of this marker); Battery C, First West Virginia Artillery (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); 3rd New York Independent Battery (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gettysburg.

By Craig Swain, December 27, 2008

3. First Massachusetts Light Battery Monument

The monument is flanked by one authentic 3-inch Ordnance rifle and one reproduction example.

By Brian Scott, September 22, 2015

4. First Massachusetts Light Battery Monument

By Brian Scott, September 22, 2015

5. First Massachusetts Light Battery Monument

Held in reserve for most of the battle, the 1st Massachusetts was under the command of Captain William H. McCartney. When it finally received orders to join the battle on July 3, it went left instead of right and finally returned to the site of the monument to fire shots at the retreating Confederates.

By Brian Scott, September 22, 2015

6. First Massachusetts Light Battery Monument

Credits. This page was last revised on May 30, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 5, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,080 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 5, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 20, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.