“Let’s see, the artillery was… there.” Finding artillery positions is one of my hobbies when I’m working on a battlefield. Look for great high ground, gentle slopes, and open fields. Some positions, untouched by development, offer the opportunity to study how artillerists used the reverse slope or created deadly surprises by using the topography to their advantage.
At Fredericksburg, most of us probably think of the Confederate field artillery and the crossfire created from Marye’s Heights. That’s the infamous high ground that Union soldiers, including the famed Irish Brigade, charged multiple times on December 13, 1862. Confederate artillerist E.P. Alexander reportedly said his artillery cross-fire covered the open ground so precisely that a “chicken could not live on that field.” But there are some lesser-known artillery stories on the Confederate side of the river and on the other end of the line from Marye’s Heights. Two of these other artillery positions have been preserved by Central Virginia Battlefields Trust (CVBT) and both were occupied by young officers during the Battle of Fredericksburg: Pelham’s Corner and Latimer’s Knoll.
Shots from a 12-pounder Napoleon positioned behind a cedar hedge and hidden in a natural depression opened the battle on Dec. 13, 1862, enfilading the Union’s left flank. Moments before, Confederate Gen. J.E.B. Stuart had sent a message to Gen.
Robert E. Lee, saying, “... I am going to crowd them with artillery.” Southern artillery batteries held Lee’s right flank, anchored on Prospect Hill and then extending with about eighteen guns to guard the far flank. Major John Pelham, the twenty-four year old who had organized the Stuart Horse Artillery and turned it into a powerful fighting unit, saw an opportunity to cause chaos and destruction on the battlefield. Receiving Stuart’s permission, Pelham advanced, taking position in the basin-like depression. The advanced cannon opened fire on Union troops preparing to cross Slaughter Pen Farm, who initially thought they were under fire from drunken artillerymen in blue.
However, the major in gray knew exactly what he was doing. John Pelham, an Alabamian and former West Point cadet, had spent a year perfecting surprise bombardments and advanced artillery positions, and already won the confidence of Stuart and “Stonewall” Jackson. Fredericksburg culminated his year of successes and developing tactics and drew compliments from General Robert E. Lee: “It is glorious to see such courage in one so young.”
The fight soon turned unequal with five Union batteries attempting to silence the noisy Napoleon; Parrott rifles on Stafford Heights also joined the barrage. Pelham refused to leave and repositioned his gun to keep enemy artillerymen from finding the exact range. When he finally retired with an empty ammunition chest and eleven casualties from the gun crew, he brought back the legend of delaying the Union army for over an hour with one cannon.
Beginning in 1999, CVBT started preservation efforts in the area of Pelham’s advanced position. Thanks to the cooperation and a generous donation from Silver Companies and CVBT partners, Pelham’s Corner preserves 4.5 acres as a gateway to further interpreting both artillery and the far flank of the Fredericksburg lines. A cannon, stone marker, and interpretive panels now mark the site which is open for visitors.
Another artillery site that CVBT preserved is Latimer’s Knoll, located near the intersection of Landsdowne Road and Lee Drive. Now incorporated into Fredericksburg National Battlefield and protected by the National Park Service, this 104 acre tract was saved in 2004, and is related to another artillery major fighting on Jackson’s line that Dec. 13, 1862.
Joseph Latimer, a nineteen year old Virginian who had attended Virginia Military Institute and studied artillery under “Stonewall” Jackson, acted as chief of artillery for General Ewell’s Division at the Battle of Fredericksburg where he commanded six batteries. With battle experience in the 1862 Shenandoah Valley Campaign and Cedar Mountain, Latimer would officially be promoted to major the following spring.
As Meade’s troops assaulted Jackson’s line, Confederate infantry retreated, leaving Latimer’s cannon unprotected. The Federal rifle fire grew too hot, and the Confederate artillerymen could not return fire nor remove the guns. With his pieces in danger of capture and the Confederate line under heavy attack, Latimer looked for reinforcements. Spotting infantry in the trees behind him, he rushed toward their line, waving his cap to attract attention. “Don’t come
Pelham’s Corner, preserved and held by CVBT, is the site of a surprise artillery bombardment during the Battle of Fredericksburg. A 12-pounder Napoleon stands guard. up here unless you will promise to support me!”
The soldiers, Alabamians and North Carolinians from Law’s Brigade, reassured the teen officer that all would be well and launched a counter-attack, saving the cannon, holding the artillery position, and ploughing into the attacking Union soldiers, driving them back. In his official report, General Early, a brigade commander in Ewell’s Division, wrote: “To Captain Latimer is due the credit of having performed all the duties of his position efficiently and intelligently, and of having displayed great gallantry under fire. This young officer is one of great promise, and deserves promotion.”
Both young officers, Pelham and Latimer, died the following year. Pelham was mortally wounded at Kelly’s Ford, and Latimer died of injuries received at Gettysburg. However, during the Battle of Fredericksburg, their skill and courage, daring to hold artillery in advanced positions or secure the safety their batteries, helped change the course of the battle and won high praise.
Today, both sites, Pelham’s Corner and Latimer’s Knoll, have been preserved. Though the artillery positions may look somewhat different than their appearance in 1862, the stories linger. High school students have rallied for community service days at Pelham’s Corner and also learned about the artillerymen in blue and gray who dueled with the big guns over this piece of ground. Perhaps it is fitting; where young officers once learned and perfected the lessons of war can now be an open-air, on-location classroom to talk about the Civil War, U.S. History, war and peace, freedom and equality.
The bloodshed is over, the dead are buried and gone, but we can still go the battlefield and talk about the multi-layered stories of our nation’s past. Why did these soldiers fight? What principles were so important that they formed volunteer armies? Their stories must be told and answers sought if we are going to learn from the past.
When I pull off at Pelham’s Corner or Latimer’s Knoll to check on the now-silent artillery positions, I think about those looming, big questions related to the Civil War. But I also think about the young officers who left military schools and rushed to the battlefields. Pelham and Latimer died young, but what did their short lives teach? Perhaps artillery tactics. Perhaps courage.