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

Unflinching Under Fire

July 2, 6:00 pm

— Gettysburg National Military Park —

Unflinching Under Fire Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Karl Stelly, January 25, 2021

1. Unflinching Under Fire Marker

Inscription. Ordered to hold "at all hazard," buying time for Union troops to occupy Cemetery Ridge, Captain John Bigelow's 9th Massachusetts Artillery, first-timers on a battle line, placed their guns in the Abraham Trostle farmyard. Bigelow knew his battery—six 12-pounder Napoleons and 110 men—was being sacrificed to save the Union line.

Cannoneers stacked ammunition for rapid fire. As the Confederates advanced over the knoll, the 9th Massachusetts fired into the enemy line. The Southerners pushed forward, capturing four guns. Fighting hand-to-hand, the unflinching 9th defended their guns with handspikes and rammers, before finally retreating.

(captions)
Confederate artillery tore a hole (above) in the barn that is still visible today. Eighty of the battery's eighty-eight horses were killed in this intense fight.

Unexploded shell found in the Trostle barn recreated above at full scale.

Erected 2021 by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is July 2, 1863.

Location. 39° 48.12′ N, 77° 14.578′ W. Marker is near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. It is in Cumberland Township. Marker

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is on United States Avenue, 0.2 miles east of Sickles Avenue, on the left when traveling east. Located at the Abraham Trostle Farm. 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. 3d Corps Headquarters (a few steps from this marker); Ninth Massachusetts Battery (within shouting distance of this marker); 150th New York Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker); Major General Sickles (within shouting distance of this marker); A Costly Day (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Ninth Massachusetts Battery (approx. 0.2 miles away); 2nd Position of 118th Pennsylvania Volunteers (approx. 0.2 miles away); 7th New Jersey Volunteers (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gettysburg.

More about this marker. This new marker replaces the old marker at this location which was entitled "Bigelow's Desperate Stand."

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Old Marker At This Location titled "Bigelow's Desperate Stand".

Also see . . . Gettysburg National Military Park. National Park Service (Submitted on April 27, 2022.)

Photographed By Karl Stelly, January 25, 2021

2. Unflinching Under Fire Marker

This view looks toward the north. The Trostle barn is at right of photo.

Photographed By Karl Stelly, January 25, 2021

3. Unflinching Under Fire Marker

The artillery shell hole can still be seen in the barn near the roof.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 26, 2022, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 140 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 26, 2022, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.