East Best Farm Confederate cannon

Kirkpatrick's Battery dueled with Union artillery across the Monocacy River.

NPS

Quick Facts

Location:

Frederick, Maryland

Significance:

Location of Confederate Artillery

Designation:

National Battlefield, National Register of Historic Places, National Historic Landmark

Amenities

11 listed

Audio Description, Cellular Signal, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Parking - Auto, Parking - Bus/RV, Picnic Table, Restroom, Restroom - Accessible, Toilet - Flush, Trailhead, Water - Bottle-Filling Station

These replica cannon mark the approximate location of Confederate artillery during the Battle of Monocacy. Under the command of Captain Thomas J. Kirkpatrick, the Amherst Light Artillery took position to east of the Georgetown Pike (Route 355). The unit is also referred to in documents and maps as Kirkpatrick’s Company or Battery after their commanding officer. They were the second Confederate artillery unit to engage in the battle. Two guns from the Massie’s Artillery had already begun firing on Gambrill Mill from west side of the Best Farm.

From this position, east of the Georgetown Pike, Kirkpatrick’s Battery dueled with Union guns located across the river on the ridge. Kirkpatrick’s Battery had one 3-inch Ordnance rifle and three 12-pound smooth bore Napoleons. The three-inch Ordnance rifle had a range of 1,800 yards, while the Napoleons could fire 1,600 yards. In addition to Kirkpatrick’s four guns, there were three additional Confederate artillery batteries with 11 other guns engaged on the west side of the Georgetown Pike on the Best Farm. In comparison the Union only had 7 active guns during the battle. Union artilleryman Frederick Wild wrote, “We could not see their guns…and for every shot fired we received two in return.”

Around 2 p.m. the Kirkpatrick's Battery repositioned to support General Gordon's attack on the Union left. The guns moved forward and positioned on the hill, on the east side of Rte.355, just north of where the Union skirmishers had previously been sited.

Unit Information

The Amherst Light Artillery or Virginia Light Artillery formed in July 1861, with men from Amherst County, Virginia. The battery served with General Jubal Early throughout the Shenandoah Campaign (Spring and Summer 1864). It was captured at the Battle of Waynesboro, Virginia, in March 1865.

Three other artillery units were located on the Best Farm during the Battle of Monocacy: Massie's Battery, Carpenter's Battery, and Lowry's Battery.

Duration:

5 minutes, 37 seconds

This video introduces you to the virtual tour and covers the opening shots of the Battle.