Report of Lieutenant Colonel William Nelson, C. S. Artillery, commanding battalion Reserve Artillery. AUGUST 4, 1863. COLONEL: In accordance with orders just received, I have the honor to make the following report of the operations of the respective batteries of my command in the battle of Gettysburg and all engagements since that time: I reached Gettysburg with my command Wednesday evening, July 1, and received orders to report to Major-General Rodes, who ordered me to report to Lieutenant-Colonel Carter, commanding artillery of his division. Having done so, I was ordered early on Thursday morning to keep my guns in readiness for action immediately in rear of heights overlooking the town, and about one-fourth of a mile to the left of the Cashtown turnpike. About 11 a. m. I was ordered to bring my battalion to a point immediately in rear of the Gettysburg College, park my batteries, and await events. Having with your assistance selected positions which my batteries could occupy in case the enemy should turn their attention to that portion of the line, I remained at this point until night, when I returned to the position which I occupied in the morning. On Friday (the 3d), I was ordered to report with my command to Major-General Johnson, commanding the extreme left of our lines. Having done, so I was ordered to reconnoiter the positions on our left, and, if any could be found from which I might attract the enemy's fire from our infantry, to occupy them. Having reconnoitered the positions along this portion of our line, and finding none suitable for the purpose mentioned above, I kept my batteries concealed during the day behind the hills, immediately in rear of the battlefield. About 12 m. I was ordered to draw the attention of the enemy's batteries from our infantry, in connection with Captain Graham, commanding Rockbridge Artillery, and fired about 20 or 25 rounds from a point to the left and somewhat in advance of Captain Graham's position. On Friday night, I encamped about one-half mile in rear of my position of that day, and about midnight received orders to move my command with General Johnson's division to the point which I occupied on Thursday morning. On Saturday morning (July 4), I was ordered to take position on the heights west of the town, and about one-fourth of a mile to the left of the Cashtown road, supported by a brigade of General Johnson's division. Here we remained until night, awaiting an attack of the enemy. On Saturday night we fell back from Gettysburg in the direction of Hagerstown, which we reached on Tuesday (the 7th). Here we remained until Friday (the 10th), when I was ordered to send one Napoleon gun and one rifle piece to report to Brigadier-General Daniel near the Antietam Creek. The rifle piece was engaged for a short time. I then received orders to move my command, in connection with General Johnson's division, to a point about equidistant from the National road and the Williamsport and Hagerstown turnpike, and one mile and a half rom the town. On Saturday (the 11th), I was ordered to post my batteries, two on the left of the Williamsport road and one immediately to the left of the Funkstown and Williamsport road, supported by a portion of General Johnson's division. We remained in position until Monday evening, awaiting an attack of the enemy, when we fell back in the direction of Williamsport. Arriving at that place, we were ordered to move to Falling Waters, and cross the river on a pontoon bridge, which we did, reaching the Virginia shore about 9 a. m. on Tuesday (14th), and encamping about 6 miles from the river. I remain, colonel, very respectfully, l your obedient servant, W. NELSON, Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding Artillery Battalion. Colonel J. THOMPSON BROWN, Acting Chief of Artillery, Second Corps. |
Last updated: July 18, 2025