Union Monuments, Massachusetts

5th Massachusetts Battery

The Fifth Massachusetts Battery monument is south of Gettysburg on Wheatfield Road, and a marker is on South Hancock Avenue. (See map) The monument was dedicated by the State of Massachusetts in 1885

The battery brought 104 men to the field under Captain Charles A. Philips and served six 3 inch Ordnance Rifles.

Form the front of the monument:

Fifth
Massachusetts
Battery

From the rear:

7 enlisted men killed.
1 officer, 12 enlisted men wounded.
700 rounds fired.
Chas. A. Philips Capt.
Comdg. July 2, 1863.

The Nation Lives.
Reserve Artillery

From the marker:

Army of the Potomac
First Brigade, Artillery Reserve

Massachusetts Light Artillery
5th Battery E
six 3 inch rifles
Captain Charles A. Phillips commanding

July 2. Withdrew at 5 p.m. from the field near the Peach Orchard and went into battery here.

July 3. About 1:30 by order of Brig. Gen. H.J. Hunt fired on the Confederate batteries but did little damage. Opened an enfilading fire soon after on Longstreet's advancing line of infantry and assisted in repulsing the assault. A charge was made within the range of the battery immediately afterwards by the Florida brigade and at about the same time a Confederate battery opened on the left front which at once received the concentrated fire of the batteries of the brigade driving the cannoneers from their guns which they abandoned.

July 4. Remained in this position until afternoon.

7 enlisted men killed. 1 officer, 12 enlisted men wounded. 700 rounds fired. Chas. A. Philips, Capt. Comdg.

See more about the 5th Massachusetts Battery during the Civil War