Ross's Battery
As you stand by Ross’s Battery, place yourself here on July 3, 1863. Major John Lane is using his binoculars to observe Cemetery Ridge, the defensive position of the Union Army of the Potomac. Major Lane is in command of the Sumter Artillery Battalion, of which Company A is commanded by Captain Hugh M. Ross. Ross’s Battery is a typical Confederate Battery of mixed artillery pieces.
While scanning the Union position, Major Lane thinks of his best friend and West Point classmate, Colonel Patrick Henry O’Rorke, in command of the 140th New York Infantry Regiment. He knows O’Rorke is somewhere along the Union position he faces. Tragically, O’Rorke has been killed leading his regiment in defense of Little Round Top on July 2nd.
As 1:00pm nears, three cannon shots can be heard. That is the signal for the start of the massive confederate artillery barrage preceding the attack by confederate infantry. Major Lane turns to Captain Ross, “Sir, you may commence firing”. Ross’s battery will fire on Union Infantry defending the Bliss House near Cemetery Ridge.
Before the battle is over, each gun will have spent 100 rounds of ammunition, 1 man will be killed and 7 wounded. The men will give everything they have, but the attack will fail. Late the next day, the battery is ordered to join the retreat of the Army of Northern Virginia.
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