Alternate Designations: Weed’s.
Commander: Lt. Malbone F. Watson (1839-1891), wounded on July 2; Lt. Charles C. MacConnell (1840-1908).
Numbers: 4 Ordnance Rifles, 78 men. 1 killed, 19 wounded, 2 missing.
Raised: New York City and Luzerne County (Pennsylvania).
Location: Located north of United States Avenue, Neinstedt’s Field (older descriptions call this Swisher Field). Locates position occupied by Watson’s Battery I, 5th US Artillery during the second day of Battle of Gettysburg July 1-3, 1863.
Description: One of 45 monuments erected to units of the United States regular army on the battlefield. A red polished Jonesboro granite monolith that is set upon a concrete foundation with a descriptive 3’6’x3’7′ bronze tablet with the coat of arms of the United States in bronze. Inscription reads:
ARMY OF THE POTOMAC
FIFTH CORPS
ARTILLERY BRIGADE
BATTERY I FIFTH U. S. ARTILLERY
Four 3 Inch Rifles
Lieut. Malbone F. Watson Commanding
July 2. About 4.30 P. M. arrived and took position north of Little Round Top 5.30 moved to the front at the Peach Orchard. On the advance of the Confederates driving back the infantry the Battery was retired across Plum Run near the Trostle House and fired shell and canister at the approaching Confederates until the Battery disabled by loss of men and horses was captured by the 21st Mississippi Infantry. It was almost immediately recaptured with the assistance of the 39th New York Infantry and being unserviceable was taken to the Artillery Brigade.
Casualties Killed 1 Man Wounded 1 Officer and 18 Men Missing 2 Men