Confederate Artillery Batteries
“Rhett’s Battery”
The marker for the Brooks, South Carolina Artillery is southwest of Gettysburg on West Confederate Avenue. (Tour map: West Confederate Avenue – Part 4) The battery was commanded at the Battle of Gettysburg by Lieutenant Stephen Capers Gilbert, who was wounded.
Text from the marker:
Army of Northern Virginia
Longstreet’s Corps Artillery Reserve
Alexander’s Battalion Rhett’s Battery
The Brooks Artillery
Four 12 Pounder Howitzers
July 2. Took position here at 4 P. M. and opened fire. When the charge was made on the Peach Orchard moved to a point near there and with other batteries supported the infantry in its further advance. Assisted in harassing the retiring Union forces causing them to abandon temporarily several guns. Continued firing until night and aided in preventing pursuit of the Confederate advanced lines when they fell back shortly before dark.
July 3. In position at dawn in the artillery line on the ridge running north from the Peach Orchard and on duty there all day. Took part in the cannonade preceding Longstreet’s assault and retired from the front after night.
July 4. Remained near here until 4 P. M. and then withdrew to Marsh Creek on the Fairfield Road.
Losses heavy but not reported in detail
See more on the history of the Brooks Artillery in the Civil War.