Hold at All Hazards: Bigelow'S Battery at Gettysburg, July 2, 1863

The 9th Massachusetts Battery of Light Artillery is stationed in Washington, D.C., in late January 1863, with a demoralized and inadequately trained and disciplined soldiers. Captain John Bigelow institutes strict discipline and rigorous training, causing the men to consider him a heartless tyrant. In June, the battery is collected by the Army of the Potomac to thwart an invasion by Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. On July 2, 1863, the battery arrives on the Gettysburg battlefield and is immersed in violent combat. Charlie disobeys two direct orders from Captain Bigelow before the day is out, but saves his captain's life and is awarded the Medal of Honor.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 15 December 2021
Publisher: Casemate Publishers

By late January of 1863, the 9th Massachusetts Battery of Light Artillery had been stationed within the Washington, D.C. defenses for the entirety of its five-month existence. The soldiers were badly demoralized, inadequately trained, and poorly disciplined. When the inept captain of the battery believes that he is about to be fired, he hastily resigns, and the governor of Massachusetts promptly selects a twenty-three-year-old artillery officer with battlefield experience to take command. Captain John Bigelow institutes strict discipline and rigorous training, which causes the men, including Chief Bugler Charles Wellington Reed, to consider him to be a heartless tyrant. However, Captain Bigelow's methods rapidly improve their capabilities, and Reed reluctantly gains respect for the new captain. Nevertheless, a subtle conflict between captain and bugler remains in a manner only constrained by military protocol.

In late June of 1863, the battery is collected by the Army of the Potomac as it passes the Washington defenses to thwart an invasion by Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. After days of hard marching, Bigelow's Battery arrives on the Gettysburg battlefield in the forenoon of July 2, 1863. Within hours, they are immersed in violent combat, during which the officers and men of the battery fight like veterans against the Confederates. Unbeknownst to Charlie, he will twice disobey a direct order from Captain Bigelow before the day is out. When furious fighting reaches a crescendo, the inexperienced light artillery battery is ordered to hold its position at all hazards, meaning until it is overrun. Without hesitation, the batterymen stand to their guns and sacrifice their life's blood to gain the time necessary for a second line of artillery to be formed behind them, thus helping to turn the tide of the battle.

The 9th Massachusetts Battery of Light Artillery's bravery and sacrifice on the Gettysburg battlefield were instrumental in the Union's victory in the Civil War. Their willingness to stand their ground and fight to the last man despite overwhelming odds is a testament to their courage and dedication to the cause of freedom. Captain Bigelow's strict discipline and rigorous training not only improved the battery's capabilities but also instilled a sense of pride and camaraderie among the men. The conflict between captain and bugler, while subtle, added an interesting dimension to the story and demonstrated the complexities of military leadership.

In conclusion, the 9th Massachusetts Battery of Light Artillery's experience at Gettysburg is a remarkable tale of bravery, discipline, and sacrifice. Their actions on that fateful day helped to turn the tide of the battle and preserve the Union. Captain Bigelow's leadership and the battery's dedication to their cause are a testament to the power of teamwork and the importance of discipline in the face of adversity.

Weight: 346g
Dimension: 152 x 230 x 33 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781636240602