Union monuments at Gettysburg > New York > Artillery & Engineers
“First Excelsior Light Artillery”
The monument to the 5th New York Independent Battery is southeast of Gettysburg in the National Cemetery. (National Cemetery tour map) A marker is nearby among four 20 pounder Parrott Rifles along Baltimore Pike in front of Evergreen Cemetery. (East Cemetery Hill tour map) A second marker behind the Evergreen Cemetery gatehouse shows the position of the section of the battery that faced west during the battle.
Monument to the 5th New York Independent Battery at Gettysburg
The 5th New York Independent Battery was commanded at the Battle of Gettysburg by Captain Elijah D. Taft. It brought 146 men to the field. Their nickname was from the battery originally being formed as part of Daniel Sickles’ Excelsior Brigade. At the Battle of Gettysburg it was attached to the 2nd Brigade of the Artillery Reserve.
The 20 pounder Parrott Rifles were used by both armies, and were the heaviest artillery pieces on the field of Gettysburg. They had a bad reputation for bursting, and one of the battery’s pieces did on July 3.
From the front of the monument
Fifth New York Independent Battery
(Taft’s)
2d Brigade, Artillery Reserve
Rear view of the monument to the 5th New York Independent Battery
From the rear of the monument
This battery held this position from
5 p.m. July 2nd to 5th, 1863
—-
casualties 1 killed, 2 wounded
Location of the main monument to the 5th New York Battery
The main monument to the Fifth New York Battery is south of Gettysburg in the northeast corner of the National Cemetery about 80 yards south of the Baltimore Road gate. 39°49’15.7″N 77°13’47.4″W)
Marker on Baltimore Pike
20-pounder Parrotts of the 5th New York Independent Battery alongside the Baltimore Pike
From the marker showing the position of the four pieces on Baltimore Pike:
Army of the Potomac,
Artillery Reserve,
Second Volunteer Brigade.
Fifth New York Light Artillery
Six 20 pounder Parrotts,
Captain Elijah D. Taft Commanding
July 2. Arrived and halted in park about 10:30 a.m. Moved to the cemetery at 3:30 p.m. and engaged from 4 p.m. until dark. Four guns south of and facing Baltimore Pike firing on a Confederate battery on Benner’s Hill. Two guns firing westwardly.
July 3. Engaged at intervals in same position until 4 p.m. One gun on Baltimore Pike having burst, the other three relieved the section firing westwardly. Remained in this position until close of battle.
Casualties killed 1 man wounded 2 men. Ammunition expended 1114 rounds.
Location of the marker on Baltimore Pike
The marker for the Fifth New York Battery is south of Gettysburg on the south side of Baltimore Road about 65 yards southeast of the Evergreen Cemetery gatehouse. (39°49’13.2″N 77°13’44.0″W)
Marker behind the Evergreen Cemetery gatehouse
Marker showing the position of a section of the 5th New York independent Battery behind the evergreen Cemetery Gatehouse. The National Cemetery is on the other side of the iron fence and the parked cars.
From the marker showing the position of the section (two pieces) behind the Evergreen Cemetery gatehouse:
Army of the Potomac,
Artillery Reserve,
Second Voluntteer Brigade.
Fifth New York Light Artillery
Six 20 pounder Parrotts,
Captain Elijah D. Taft Commanding
July 2. Arrived and halted in park about 10 a.m. Moved to the Evergreen Cemetery at 3:30 p.m. and engaged from 4 p.m. until dark. Two guns posted in the Cemetery firing westwardly. Four guns south of and facing Baltimore Pike firing on a Confederate battery on Benner’s Hill.
July 3. Engaged at intervals in same position until 4 p.m. when relieved by three of the guns on Baltimore Pike.
Casualties of the battery killed 1 man wounded 2 men.
Marker showing the position of a section of the 5th New York independent Battery behind the evergreen Cemetery Gatehouse
Location of the marker behind the Cemetery gatehouse
The section marker for the Fifth New York Battery is south of Gettysburg on the south side of Baltimore Road about 65 yards southeast of the Evergreen Cemetery gatehouse. (39°49’14.1″N 77°13’46.9″W)