Confederate Artillery Batteries


The marker for Blount’s Battery is southwest of Gettysburg on West Confederate Avenue. (West Confederate Avenue – Pt. 4 tour map) The battery was commanded at the Battle of Gettysburg by Captain Joseph Gray Blount.

Marker for Blount's Battery of the Army of Northern Virginia at Gettysburg

Looking east from Confederate Avenue past Blount’s Battery to the Union lines in the distance.

From the marker:

Army of Northern Virginia 
Longstreet’s Corps Pickett’s Division 
Dearing’s Battalion Blount’s Battery
Four Napoleons

July 3. Advanced to the front about daybreak. Later in the morning took position on the ridge west of the Emmitsburg Road 200 yards from the Roger’s House and remained there for hours unengaged. When the signal guns were fired about 1 P. M. moved forward to the crest of the hill and took an active part in the cannonade. But its ammunition being exhausted as Longstreet’s infantry was advancing and all efforts to procure a fresh supply proving fruitless the Battery was withdrawn.

July 4. In line of battle all day with the left wing of McLaws’ Division. Marched at sunset to Black Horse Tavern.

Losses not reported in detail.

Marker for Blount's Battery of the Army of Northern Virginia at Gettysburg

Close up of the restored marker.

Blount's Battery of the Army of Northern Virginia at Gettysburg

Looking north past one of the Napoleons of Blount’s Battery up West Confederate Avenue.

Looking southeast. The tablet for the battery has been removed for restoration, but its stand and two Napoleon howitzers mark its position. Big Round Top stands in the center distance, while to its left Little Round Top peeks above the rise of ground that holds the Peach Orchard.

Looking southeast. The tablet for the battery had been removed for restoration for some time, leaving its pedestal and two Napoleon howitzers mark the position. Big Round Top is in the center distance, while to its left Little Round Top peeks above the rise of ground that holds the Peach Orchard.

See more on the history of Blount’s Battery (Company D, 38th Virginia Light Artillery Battalion) in the Civil War.