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

Battery K, Fourth U.S. Artillery

Artillery Brigade, Third Corps

— Army of the Potomac —

Battery K, Fourth U.S. Artillery Tablet image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, February 21, 2009

1. Battery K, Fourth U.S. Artillery Tablet

Above the tablet is the seal of the U.S. Army. At the top of the tablet is the diamond symbol of Third Corps.

Inscription. Army of the Potomac
Third Corps
Artillery Brigade
Battery K Fourth U.S. Artillery
Six 12 pounders
Lieut. Francis W. Seeley Commanding
July 1 Arrived at night and encamped in a field south of the town between the Emmitsburg and Taneytown Roads.

July 2 Went into position at 4 p.m. on the right of Smith's log House on Emmitsburg Road with Brig. General A.A. Humphreys's Division Third Corps and soon took position on the left of the log house and at the left of an apple orchard and opened fire on the Confederate Infantry as it began to advance.
Hotly engaged with the Confederate Infantry and Artillery in front and on the left until about 7 p.m. when forced to retire and took position on the line from the Evergreen Cemetery to Little Round Top. Lieut. Seeley having been wounded the command devolved on Lieut. Robert James.

July 3 Remained in the position of the previous night.

Casualties. Killed 2 men. Wounded 1 officer and 18 men. Missing 4 men.
Lost and disabled 28 horses.

Erected 1907 by Gettysburg National Military Park Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1735.

Location. 39° 48.336′ N, 77° 14.811′

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W. Marker is near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. It is in Cumberland Township. Marker is on Emmitsburg Road (Business U.S. 15), on the right when traveling north. Located near the Klingle House in 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. 11th New Jersey Volunteers (within shouting distance of this marker); Wilcox's Brigade (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 120th New York Infantry (about 400 feet away); 12th New Hampshire Volunteers (about 400 feet away); 105th Pennsylvania Infantry (about 600 feet away); 16th Massachusetts Volunteers (about 700 feet away); 3rd Brigade (about 700 feet away); First Brigade (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gettysburg.

Additional commentary.
1. Report of Lieut. Robert James
In his official report, Lieutenant James spoke of the infantry assault on his position:
About 5.30 p.m. the enemy placed in position to our left and front, and distant about 1,000 yards, some four batteries, and opened upon our line a most destructive fire. We immediately replied, but the enemy advancing their infantry in heavy columns, we turned our attention to them, firing as rapidly as possible shot, shell, and spherical case. The enemy
Photographed By Craig Swain, February 21, 2009

2. Battery K, Fourth U.S. Artillery Tablet
having gained protection from our fire under cover of the slope of the hill in our front, we ceased firing, and prepared to receive them on its crest with canister. At this time it is with feelings of deep regret I have to report that Lieutenant Seeley was severely wounded, and had to be taken from the field, and I assumed command of the battery. The enemy advancing rapidly, and our infantry having fallen back, I had only time to fire a few rounds of canister, which, although creating great havoc in their ranks, did not check their advance, and, in order to save my guns, I was obliged to retire.

Report No. 186, Official Records of the War of the Rebellion, Series I, Volume XXVII/I (S #43), page 591.

— Submitted March 26, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.

Old Artillery Display image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, February 21, 2009

3. Old Artillery Display

Stone blocks are all that remain from artillery displays that once represented the battery at this location.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 25, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 864 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 25, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.