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Richard Snowden Andrews, lieutenant-colonel commanding the First Maryland Artillery (Andrews' battalion) Confederate States army; a memoir, ed. by Tunstall Smith
Report of Lieutenant Colonel R. Snowden Andrews, C. S. Artillery, commanding Artillery Battalion.
CAMP NEAR LIBERTY MILLS, August 5, 1863.
COLONEL: I have the honor to submit the following report of the movements and operations of Lieutenant Colonel R. Snowden Andrews' battalion of artillery, attached to General Edward Johnson's division, in the battle of Gettysburg:
On this occasion, this battalion of artillery was under the immediate command of Major J. W. Latimer, major of said battalion. Major Latimer moved the battalion from its camp near Chambersburg on July 1, and, moving along the Chambersburg road, appeared in front of Gettysburg just before dark of the same day. After dark, being in close proximity to the enemy, Major Latimer, making a detour to prevent the enemy from finding out his movements, moved his battalion to the extreme left of Gettysburg, between the York and Baltimore roads, facing the Cemetery Hill, when the command was parked, and encamped for the night.
About 4 o'clock the following morning, July 2, Major Latimer, having carefully examined the ground, had selected the only eligible position in his front. The ground offered very few advantages, and the major found great difficulty in sheltering his horses and caissons. The hill which he selected brought him directly in front of the wooded mountain and a little to the left of the Cemetery Hill. All the guns excepting two long-range guns had to be crowded on this small hill, which was not in our favor.
About 4 o'clock, Major Latimer received orders from yourself, as also from General Johnson, to take position and open on the enemy. Fourteen guns of the battalion were then planted on this hill above mentioned. The two remaining guns [20-pounder Parrotts] were placed on an eminence in rear of the battalion, with Captain Graham's battery. Captain Brown's battery occupied the right, Captain Carpenter's occupied the center, while Captain Dement and Captain Raine, the latter with one section of his battery, took the left. As soon as the major opened, the enemy replied with a well-directed fire from a superior number of guns, causing many casualties among officers, men, and horses. This unequal contest was sustained by both the officers and men with great fortitude until near night.
The enemy in the meantime planted some guns on the left, which partially enfiladed our batteries, which caused Captain Carpenter to suffer very severely. By this time, two of Captain Dement's pieces had expended all their ammunition and one caisson had been blown up. Captain Brown had a piece disabled, and his detachment so reduced that he could work only two guns, and Captain Brown had been shot down at this juncture, the enemy pouring a destructive fire on them.
Major Latimer sent his sergeant-major to General Johnson to say that, owing to the exhausted state of his men and ammunition and the severe fire of the enemy, he was unable to hold his position any longer. General Johnson sent him word to withdraw the battalion, if he thought proper. Most of the guns were then withdrawn, leaving four guns on the hill to repel any advance of the enemy's infantry.
Soon after this, Major Latimer again opened on the enemy with the four guns left in position to cover the advance of our infantry, which drew a terrible fire on him, and it was here that the accomplished and gallant Latimer was severely wounded in the arm, of which wound he has since died. The command then devolved upon Captain Raine, the senior captain of the battalion. Night coming on, Captain Raine, at Major Latimer's suggestion, withdrew the battalion a short distance, and encamped for the night.
The next morning, July 3, the condition of the battalion was reported to you, when Captain Raine received orders to park near the ordnance train, have his ammunition chests replenished, and await further orders. The same evening, Captain Raine received orders to go to the front, which order was promptly obeyed.
On the 4th, Captain Raine fell back with his division near the Cashtown road, where he remained until our army left the front of Gettysburg.
The list of casualties will show the severity of the conflict, and it is believed we did the enemy infinitely more damage than we sustained, for they had to change their positions frequently, and had to be relieved by fresh batteries, while our men stood unflinchingly to their posts the whole time. I herewith furnish you with a list of the casualties in the different batteries.
Casulaties in Captain Raines battery: Second Section, commanded by Captain Raine- 1 man severly wounded and left in the enemy'd lines; several others slightly wounded, but are now doing duty; 3 horses killed. First Section, Lt. [William W.] Hardwicke commanding- 3 men severly wounded; axle-tree of No. 1 gun damaged by solid shot. The horses of this section were taken to the rear, and hence did not suffer.
Casualties in Captain Brown's battery: Captain Brown severely wounded; Lieutenant [B. G.] Roberts wounded; 4 men killed and 10 wounded; 9 horses killed or permanently disabled.
Casualties in Captain Dement's battery: 1 corporal killed; 4 men wounded; 9 horses killed or permanently disabled; 1 caisson exploded and 1 disabled.
Casualties in Captain Carpenter's battery: 1 corporal killed; 4 men killed; 1 sergeant wounded; 1 corporal wounded; 17 enlisted men badly wounded; several others very slightly wounded, now on duty; 9 horses killed.
Summary: 1 major severely wounded; 1 captain severely wounded; 1 lieutenant wounded; 1 non-commissioned officer and 9 men killed; 2 non-commissioned [officers] and 30 men wounded; 30 horses killed.
Major Latimer informed me that all officers, with the exception of Lieut. John E. Plater, behaved with great gallantry. The captains report that their officers, non-commissioned officers, and men behaved with such unparalleled gallantry that they can make no distinction.
