Gettysburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Second Volunteer Brigade
Artillery Reserve
— Army of the Potomac —
Photographed By Craig Swain, December 27, 2008
1. Second Volunteer Brigade, Artillery Reserve Tablet
Crossed cannon appear at the top of the tablet.
Artillery Reserve
Second Volunteer Brigade
Capt. Elijah D. Taft
1st Conn. Heavy Battery B
Capt. Albert F. Brooker
Not engaged
1st Conn. Heavy Battery M
Capt. Franklin A. Pratt
Not engaged
2d Conn. Battery
Capt. John W. Sterling
Capt. Elijah D. Taft
Casualties. Killed 1 man. Wounded 5 men. Captured or missing 2 men. Total 8.
Erected 1912 by Gettysburg National Military Park Commission.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is July 2, 1851.
Location. 39° 49.222′ N, 77° 13.734′ W. Marker is in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. Marker is on Baltimore Pike (State Highway 97), on the right when traveling south. Located adjacent to the entrance of Evergreen Cemetery, on the east side of Cemetery Hill, 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. Fifth New York Light Artillery (a few steps from this marker); Battery L, 1st New York Light Artillery
this page online
Additional commentary.
1. The Brigade in the Gettysburg Campaign
Taft's Brigade of the Artillery Reserve can be called the "heavy" artillery formation of the Army of the Potomac. The 5th New York Battery, as described on the nearby tablets, was armed with 20-pounder Parrott Rifles. The two batteries from the 1st Connecticut were equipped with 4.5-inch Ordnance Siege Rifles (the type used to mark Federal headquarters). And the 2nd Connecticut Battery, which was just called up from the Washington defenses, used a mix of 14-pounder James Rifles and 12-pounder
Photographed By Craig Swain, December 27, 2008
2. Taft's Brigade Tablet
Next to the tablet is a 20-pounder Parrott Rifle.
As described on the tablet, the 5th New York Battery was in place on Cemetery Hill, and is described in more detail on the nearby tablets. The 2nd Connecticut deployed on Cemetery Ridge. But the other two Connecticut batteries were still on the march south of Gettysburg, in the vicinity of Westminster and Taneytown, Md. The later batteries played a part in the pursuit of the retreating Confederates later in July.
— Submitted March 11, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
Photographed By Eric Milask, July 17, 2011
3. View of Taft's Brigade - US Brigade Tablet Southeast of the Monument & 20-Pounders
This photo was taken on Baltimore Pike, facing northwest, July 17, 2011 approximately 4:09 PM
Photographed By Eric Milask, July 17, 2011
4. Taft's Brigade - US Brigade Tablet & 20 Pounders
The Taft's Brigade - US Brigade Tablet is a contributing feature to the Gettysburg National Military Park Historic District which is nationally significant under NR Criteria A, B, C & D. Areas of Significance: Military, Politics/Government, Landscape Architecture, Conservation, Archeology-Historic. Period of Significance: 1863-1938. The original National Register Nomination was approved by the Keeper March 19, 1975. An update to this nomination was approved by the Keeper on January 23, 2004. The tablet is designated as contributing structure number MN533.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 3, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 11, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 803 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 11, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3, 4. submitted on November 22, 2011, by Eric Milask of Cherry Hill, New Jersey.
