Captain James Ricketts' Artillery Position

A view from Union artillery position on Henry Hill toward the Confederate line

NPS/Hassler

Around 2:00pm, General Irvin McDowell ordered artillery the artillery batteries of Captains James B. Ricketts and Charles Griffin, to maneuver their 11 guns onto onto Henry Hill, a mere 300 yards from the Confederate batteries. this movement occured despite protestations from both captains. 

Captains Ricketts and Griffin vehemently opposed McDowell’s directives, arguing that their batteries would be ineffective if positioned so close to the Confederate line. However, McDowell refused to revise his orders, and placed Griffin and Ricketts’ guns to the north and south of the Henry House on the hill. Ricketts stated after the battle, “I knew at a glance I was going into great peril for my horses and men.” No words would ring truer for James Ricketts and his troops. 

As Ricketts’ men rumbled into position, they were immediately struck by Confederate cannon and small arms fire. Men clambered to the ground, horses screamed in fright, but Ricketts ordered his artillerymen to stand their ground and return fire. The intensity of the rebel fire was frightful. Ricketts commented after the battle, “It was the hottest place I [saw] in my life; and I had seen some fighting before.”