Unit History

Alonzo Cushing participated in the Battle of First Bull Run while temporarily;y assigned to Lt. Oliver D. Greene's Battery G, 2nd US Artillery. However, Cushing was back with Battery A and C for the Battle of Antetiem. During the of 1862, Battery's A and C were split apart and 39 more men were brought from the 4th Ohio Infantry bringing the total roll of Battery A to 147 men to man the Battery's 6 - 3inch ordinance rifles.

Battery A would go on to participate in the battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg. It is at Gettysburg where Battery A, 4th US Artillery would be recorded into the history books. On the 3rd day of battle, General Robert E. Lee would order General Pickett to lead an assault against the center of the Union lines. 15,000 Confederates would march over a mile of open field towards the Union lines while Union artillery was blasting holes in their ranks. The Confederates did succeed in reaching the Union lines, right at the point where Battery A was positioned. Lt. Alonzo Cushing gave his life while manning his gun when it was being overrun. The confederates would advance no further as Union reserves began pouring fire into the already depleted ranks. The Battle of Gettysburg was over.

Battery A, 4th US Artillery participated in most campaigns and battles involving the Army of the Potomac during the Civil War. To see a more detailed list of the Battery's engagements, click here.

We would like to acknowledge that all information regarding the unit history came from this remarkable book by Kent Masterson Brown: Cushing of Gettysburg: The Story of a Union Artillery Commander