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On the morning of July 1, 1863, the Fredericksburg Artillery, Captain Edward S. Marye commanding (better known as Braxton's Battery, from its first captain), marched with the advance brigades of Heth's division (Archer's and Davis's brigades) from Cashtown, taking the turnpike toward Gettysburg. About 9 o'clock we struck a small body of cavalry. The two brigades formed line of battle, and two of our guns were unlimbered in front of a brick building which looked like an old Virginia county courthouse tavern. We opened fire on the squad of cavalry, scattering them immediately. This was the first artillery fire in the battle of Gettysburg.

In a few minutes we limbered up and proceeded on our march for a mile or thereabouts and took position in the edge of a beautiful oak grove on the left of the pike. Here we were soon hotly engaged with the enemy's batteries, one of which we learned afterwards was Grimes' Battery of regulars. Their firing was steady and well aimed, though none of our battery was struck in this position. Lieutenant Morris, battalion ordnance officer, a gallant young gentleman, was mortally wounded here, while riding in rear of our guns across the line of fire.

After being in this position for perhaps a half or one hour, we moved down into a plain, where we were joined by the other batteries of the battalion (Pegram's). While in this position we fired into a group of officers, some of whom fell and one of whom was carried off on a litter. We supposed afterwards that this was General Reynolds, a gallant Federal officer, who did receive his death