Richard J. August is a trustee and docent at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum.
As we approach the observance of the Declaration of Independence, it is well to remember that, on the three days leading up to July 4, 1863, the turning point of the war that would preserve the union and end the practice of slavery in the United States was fought.
Union cavalry coming from the south and Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia advancing from the north collided in what is called a “meeting engagement” at the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The troopers managed to hold off the Confederates until Union infantry arrived. The first day ended with both sides establishing defensive positions.
The battle raged for the next two days with nearly 170,000 men engaged, a third of whom would be killed, wounded or missing in action. I call your attention to what happened to Battery B, Rhode Island Light Artillery, on the final two days.
Battery B mustered into federal service on August 13, 1861, with 139 men reporting.