Union monuments at Gettysburg > Pennsylvania > Artillery
“Cooper’s Battery”
There are two monuments, a pedestal and a marker to Battery B, 1st Pennsylvania Light Artillery at Gettysburg. The main monument was placed in 1889 on Cemetery Hill near General Hancock’s equestrian statue. (East Cemetery Hill tour map) A small pedestal near the monument on East Cemetery Hill is the remnant of the original monument to the battery placed by its survivors around 1879. A secondary monument is west of Gettysburg on Reynolds Avenue showing the position the battery held on July 1st. (South Reynolds Avenue tour map) A War Department tablet marker on Hancock Avenue shows the battery’s position during Pickett’s Charge. (Hancock Avenue Part 1 tour map)
The battery was commanded at the Battle of Gettysburg by Captain James H. Cooper.
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Attached to the Artillery Brigade, 1st Corps, Army of the Potomac |
Main monument to Battery B, 1st Pennsylvania Artillery
Main monument to Battery B, 1st Pennsylvania Artillery on Cemetery Hill
From the front of the main monument on East Cemetery Hill:
Cooper’s
Battery B
First Pennsylvania Light Artillery,
(Penn’a. Reserve Volunteer Corps)
Artillery Brigade First Corps
Present at Gettysburg, 114 officers and men.
Killed 3 wounded 9.
Ammunition expended (4 guns) 1050 rounds.
From the left side of the monument:
Positions
July 1, 1863: Battery arrived at 12 m.
took position and was engaged between
Hagerstown Road and Chambersburg Pike
near Willoughby Run; changed position to the
right an swept Oak Hill with its fire.
Withdrew to Theological Seminary, where
it fought till after 4 p.m.; retired to this
position where it remained until close of
heavy artillery contest with the enemy’s
batteries on Benner’s Hill, during afternoon
engagement of July 2 when relieved by
Rickett’s Battery.
July 3: Was engaged on left center during the
final attack and second repulse of the enemy.
From the right side of the monument:
Organized April 26, 1861.
At Mount Jackson, Lawrence County.
Entered United State Service June 8, 1861.
Mustered in U.S. Service June 28, 1861.
Re-enlisted, January 4, 1864.
Mustered out, June 9, 1865.
Total enrollment 332.
Killed and died of wounds 21.
Died of disease 17. Wounded 52.
Ammunition expended 11,200 rounds.
From the rear of the monument:
1861 – Engagements – 1865.
Dranesville, Chancellorsville,
Mechanicsville, Gettysburg,
Gaines Mill, Mine Run,
New Market Cross Roads, Wilderness,
Malvern Hill, Spotsylvania,
Gainesville, North Anna,
Groveton, Totopotomoy,
Second Bull Run, Bethesda Church,
South Mountain, Cold Harbor,
Antietam, Petersburg,
Fredericksburg, Weldon Railroad,
Fitzhugh’s Crossing, Petersburg (Capture),
Appomattox.
A small pedestal near the main monument on Cemetery Hill is the remnant of the battery’s original monument.
The inscription has worn away over time to become illegible.
Location of the main monument to Battery B, 1st Pennsylvania Artillery
The main monument to Battery B is on Cemetery Hill, south of Gettysburg about 220 feet northeast of the Baltimore Pike at the Evergreen Cemetery gatehouse, just to the northeast of the equestrian statue of General Hancock. (39°49’17.0″N 77°13’43.2″W)
Secondary Monument on Reynolds Avenue
Looking east at the monument on Reynolds Avenue to Battery B. Seminary Ridge is in the background.
From the monument on Reynolds Avenue:
Battery B
First Pennsylvania Artillery
P.R.V.C.
Commanded by Capt. James H. Cooper,
4 – 3 inch rifled guns
July 1, 1863 the battery arrived here
about noon and engaged Confederate
artillery on Herr’s Ridge. About 1:30
p.m. moved to the rear. Changed front,
engaged Carter’s Artillery and shelled
Rodes’ Infantry on Oak Hill. About
3 p.m. moved to the woods in front of
Theological Seminary and resisted the
final attack of Scales‘, Perrin’s and
other Brigades.
Casualties – 3 killed, 9 wounded
Location of the secondary monument to Battery B, 1st Pennsylvania Artillery
The secondary monument to Battery B is west of Gettysburg on the east side of Reynolds Avenue about 140 yards south of Meredith Avenue. Reynolds Avenue is one way at this point. (39°49’56.6″N 77°15’03.5″W)
Position marker for Battery B for July 3
Marker for Battery B on Hancock Avenue
From the marker on Hancock Avenue:
Army of the Potomac
First Corps
Volunteer Artillery Brigade
First Penna. Light Artillery
Battery B
Four 3 inch Rifles
Captain James H. Cooper commanding
July 3 Moved to this position from East Cemetery Hill at 3 p.m. during a heavy cannonade and opened fire upon a Confederate Battery in front.
In half an hour a line of Confederate Infantry approached over the crest of the hill about 1000 yards distant.
The Battery in connection with the Batteries in line fired case shot until the Confederates reached canister range a few charges of which compelled their retreat.
Casualties. Killed 3 men.
Wounded 1 officer and 8 men. Total 12.
Location of the position marker for Battery B, 1st Pennsylvania Artillery
The marker to Battery B on Cemetery Ridge is south of Gettysburg on the west side of Hancock Avenue about 55 yards south of Humphreys Avenue. (39°48’22.1″N 77°14’05.7″W) Hancock Avenue is one way northbound.