Confederate Artillery Batteries


Company D, 1st North Carolina Artillery Regiment

There are two markers to the Rowan (North Carolina) Artillery south of Gettysburg on South Confederate Avenue. (Tour map: South Confederate Avenue) The first is near the Confederate Soldiers and Sailors Monument and the second is a short distance further along South Confederate Avenue near the Right of the Army of Northern Virginia marker.

The battery was commanded at the Battle of Gettysburg by Captain James Reilly.

Marker near the Confederate Soldiers and Sailors Monument

Marker for the Rowan (North Carolina) Artillery on the Gettysburg battlefield

The captured 10 pounder Parrott mentioned on the marker was captured from the 4th New York Independent Battery during fighting at the Devils Den on July 2nd.

From the marker:

Army of Northern Virginia 
Longstreet’s Corps Hood’s Division
Henry’s Battalion Reilly’s Battery
The Rowan Artillery
Two Napoleons
Two 10 Pounder Parrotts
——- Rifles

July 2. Took position here 4 P. M. and was actively engaged until night. One rifle burst and a captured 10 pounder Parrott was substituted.

July 3. Two Parrotts moved to right. The other guns engaged in firing upon the Union lines within range. About 5 P. M. aided in repelling cavalry under Brig. Gen. Farnsworth which had charged into the valley between this point and Round Top.

July 4. Occupied position near by and west of this until 6 P. M. Then withdrew from the field.

Losses not reported in detail

Location of the first marker

The marker is on the east side of South Confederate Avenue, about 0.4 mile south of Emmitsburg Road and about 45 yards north of the Confederate Soldiers and Sailors Monument. (39°47’07.3″N 77°15’14.9″W)


Marker near the Right of the Army of Northern Virginia marker

From the marker:

Marker for the Rowan (North Carolina) Artillery of the Army of Northern Virginia at Gettysburg

From the marker near the Right of the Army of Northern Virginia marker:

Army of Northern Virginia 
Longstreet’s Corps Hood’s Division
Henry’s Battalion Reilly’s Battery

The Rowan Artillery
A Section Two 10 Pounder Parrotts

July 3. These guns were detached and first occupied position 300 yards west of this hotly engaged with the artillery of the Union Cavalry Division down the Emmitsburg Road. When the cavalry under Brig. Gen. Farnsworth charged into the valley of Plum Run they were placed here aided in repelling that charge and guarded this flank until night.

July 4. Rejoined the Battery and shared in all its movements.

Location of the marker

The marker is on the east side of South Confederate Avenue, about 0.5 mile south of Emmitsburg Road and 30 yards west of the “Right of the Army of Northern Virginia” marker. (39°47’03.6″N 77°15’08.7″W)

 

See more on the history of Company D, 1st North Carolina Artillery Regiment (Rowan Artillery) in the Civil War