'Don't give up your guns' - Rickett's Battery, Gettysburg

The monument to Rickett's Battery on East Cemetery Hill belies the chaos that swirled around his and other batteries on the hill at nightfall on the second day at Gettysburg. A Confederate attack briefly overran the hill, including a section of Rickett's guns. As his gunners fought off the attackers in hand-to-hand combat on his left, his right continued to fire cannister at other rebels less successful at gaining the crest. The order: "Die on the soil of your State, but don't give up your guns," was carried out to the extreme by three cannoneers among the battery's casualties that night. (Click image for larger view).