Union monuments at Gettysburg > New York > Artillery & Engineers


The monument to the 6th New York Independent Battery is south of Gettysburg on the west side of Emmitsburg road north of the Leister Farm. (Taneytown Road tour map) The State of New York dedicated the monument in 1891.

Monument to the 6th New York Independent Battery at Gettysburg

Monument to the 6th New York Independent Battery. The monument is almost obscured by a rail fence atop a steep embankment unless viewed from this angle

Captain Joseph W. Martin commanded the battery at Gettysburg. It brought 130 men to the field serving six 3″ Ordnance Rifles. It was in reserve for the battle, suffering 1 man wounded.

Bas-relief from the monument to the 6th New York Independent Battery at Gettysburg

Bas-relief from the monument showing the all-mounted crew of a “flying battery”

Abount the 6th New York Independent Battery

The Sixth New York trained and equipped as horse artillery, sometimes referred to as a “flying battery.” Unlike standard artillery batteries where artillerymen generally walked alongside their pieces, each man in a horse artllery battery was mounted. This was for speed and mobility. All Union horse artillery batteries were equipped with the lighter 3″ Ordnance Rifles. Most horse artillery batteries with the Army of the Potomac were U.S. Regulars; the Sixth New York was one of only two volunteer batteries trained as horse artillery. The battery was assigned to the 1st Brigade Horse Artillery, Cavalry Corps.Detail from the front of the monument to the 6th New York Independent Battery

Text from the front of the monument:

6th Independent Battery
New York Artillery

From the base of the sides:

1st Brig. Horse Artillery
Cavalry Corps

Rear view of the monument to the 6th New York independent Battery

Rear view of the monument. Thanks to Chet Trybus for the two photos above.

From the rear of the monument:

Occupied this position July 3rd, 1863.
Mustered into service July 15th, 1861
Mustered out of service July 8th, 1865

View of the monument to the 6th New York Independent Battery at Gettysburg

Monument to the 6th New York Battery flanked by two 3″ Ordnance rifles. Taneytown Road is on the other side of the fence.

Location of the monument to the 6th New York Battery

The monument to the Sixth New York Battery is south of Gettysburg. It is on the west side of Taneytown Road about 125 yards north of Hunt Avenue. (39°48’56.0″N 77°13’55.9″W)

See more on the history of the 6th New York Independent Battery in the Civil War