March 15, 2013

 **I'll be off for vacation next week. My next post will be Friday, March 29**

It has become a miniature obsession of mine to identify as many Gettysburg artillery batteries as possible, and I’m always relieved when a personal photograph clearly identifies the artillery in question. There are quite a few batteries located along the 11^th Corps Line “off the beaten path” of the Gettysburg tour route. The one shown above is Dilger’s Battery, properly known as Battery I, 1^st Ohio Light Artillery. It was heavily (and fruitfully) involved in the first day’s battle and withdrew when the majority of the 11^th Corps did so, yet still managed to take a stand before retreating through the streets of Gettysburg.

Two 12-pounder Napoleons flank the handsome monument to Dilger’s Battery which dates from 1887. If you go to check it out, don’t forget to look for Wheeler’s Battery, the 13^th New York Independent Light Battery, and its array of 3-inch Ordnance Rifles.

**HONORED TODAY**

CPT. JOHN COUPER FRASER

Pulaski Artillery (Georgia)

Born 1832 --- Died July 3, 1863 at age 31

Cpt. Fraser was in command of the Pulaski Artillery also known as “Fraser’s Battery.” He is buried at Laurel Grove Cemetery in Savannah, Georgia, though that may not be his actual resting place. There seems to be a conflict regarding Cpt. Fraser’s actual death date. Some genealogists place it on July 3^rd and others on July 11^th.


(c) 2013 Skies of Blue and Gray