632 
ACHIEVEMENTS OF FIELD ARTILLERY. 
Federal gunners no less fixes our attention, and further, the skilful 
tactics by which their strength was husbanded for the decisive moment 
is specially to be praised. 
The Federal line, as we have said, was. miserably badly placed here, 
and when one of their batteries opened the fight late iu the afternoon, 
a long line of eleven batteries on the height opposite replied with 
an ominous roar that showed that the disadvantage of their situation 
had not been overlooked. Three of their batteries at first attempted to 
uphold the contest alone, but four from the reserve had soon to be 
summoned to their assistance. The infantry were able to gain some 
shelter behind walls from the iron hail which is described as showering 
down upon them, and the configuration of the ground greatly favoured 
them, but the guns had to withstand the tempest exposed upon the 
crest. It soon, however, became apparent that the contest was a hope¬ 
less one, and then one battery was deliberately sacrificed to enable the 
others to take up a new line in rear. The Federal batteries which 
lined the cross road which runs from Peach Road easterly were the 
worst placed, but were manned so gallantly that in spite of fearful 
losses they succeeded in doing most effective service. At length they 
were captured, but only temporarily so, for an infantry battalion made 
a gallant charge to their rescue, and eventually they were dragged 
back from their positions by hand. It was then that Bigelow was 
ordered by Major McGilvery, who commanded the four batteries, to 
sacrifice his guns in order that the others might gain a new position, 
and accordingly he fought them with fixed prolongs till the enemy were 
within six feet, but got them away in the end with a loss of 3 officers 
and 28 men, while 65 out of 88 horses were killed. 1 A battery next 
to him bad a very similar experience, and testimony was borne by their 
opponents to the excellent manner in which these guns were served 
when they stated that thirty men, out of a company of thirty-seven, 
were killed and wounded by one shell. 
Twenty-five guns were got together by adding the remnants of vari¬ 
ous broken batteries to some which remained intact, and this solid mass, 
unsupported by any infantry, held this part of the line for the remainder 
of the day. While, therefore, the fire of LongstreePs guns gives us 
another example of their correct handling in masses, we are supplied 
with a no less excellent illustration on the other side of a specially 
noticeable example of a service artillery is not infrequently called upon 
to render when it has to sacrifice itself for the safety of the general 
line. 
Notb. —On the same day an incident at the other extremity of the Federal position occurred 
which we may perhaps be allowed to notice, although it can scarcely figure as a legitimate artillery 
achievement. 
During the attack on the other flank of the Federal position, which took place a little later than 
the one which has just been described, two of the defender’s batteries were temporarily captured. 
General Hunt gives the following vivid account 2 of how then’ gunners re-took them : 
“ The cannoneers of the two batteries, so summarily ousted, rallied and recovered their guns by 
a vigorous attack—with pistols by those that had them, by others with handspikes, rammers, stones, 
and even rail fences—the ‘Dutchmen’ showing that they were in no way inferior to their ‘Yankee’ 
comrades, who had been taunting them ever since Chancellorsville. After an hour’s desperate 
fighting the enemy was driven out with heavy loss, Avery (Brigadier-General) being among the 
killed.” 
1 Doubleday’s “ Chancellorsville and Gettysburg.” 
2 “ Battles and Leadeis of the Civil War.” Vol. III. 
