Union monuments at Gettysburg > New York > Artillery & Engineers
“Smith’s Battery”
The monument to the 4th New York Independent Battery is south of Gettysburg on Sickles Avenue at the Devil’s Den (Devil’s Den tour map). A marker on Crawford Avenue shows the location of one section of the battery during the battle on July 2nd. (Tour map: Crawford Ave. & J. Weickert Farm)
This monument was one of three badly damaged by vandals in the winter of 2006. The statue was pulled off its pedestal and dragged 160 feet and the head was stolen, causing over $50,000 in damage.
Captain James E. Smith commanded the battery at the Battle of Gettysburg. It brought 135 men to the field serving six 10-pounder Parrott Rifles. Three of its guns were captured on July 2nd and given to Henry’s Confederate Artillery Battalion.
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Text from the monument
4th New York Ind’p’t Battery
(Smith’s)
Artillery Brigade
3rd Corps
July 2, 1863 2 to 5 p.m.
At the time of the assault by Hood’s Division of the Confederate army this battery supported by the Fourth Maine Infantry, formed the extreme left of the Third Corps line. Three guns of the two sections in action on this crest were captured by the Confederates. The third section was in position to the right and continued the action until nearly 6 p.m.
Casualties 2 killed – 10 wounded 1 captured
Marker for the 4th New York Independent Battery
Marker showing the location of a section of the 4th New York Independent Battery north of the Devil’s Den on Crawford Avenue
From the marker:
Army of the Potomac
Third Corps Artillery Brigade
Fourth New York Independent Battery
Six 10 Pounder Parrots
Capt. James E. Smilth Commanding
July 2 Arrived from Emmitsburg at 9 a.m. Four guns posted on the height above Devil’s Den at 2 p.m. Two guns in this position. after the capture of three of the guns in the advanced position and the repulse of their supports this action opened fire with great effect on the Confederate forces advancing up the valley. At 6 p.m. this section was moved to the right near Winslow’s Battery and subsequently to the rear.
July 3 Not engaged.
Killed 2 men wounded 10 men missing 1 man
11 horses killed 240 rounds of ammunition expended
Location of the monument to the 4th New York Battery at Gettysburg
The monument to the Fourth New York Independent Battery is south of Gettysburg on the east side of Sickles Avenue as it leaves the Devils Den area. Location: 39.792007° N, 77.24251° W