Charles E. Hazlett
Encyclopedia
Charles Edward Hazlett was a U.S. Army
1st Lieutenant during the American Civil War
. He was killed on Little Round Top
during the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg
.
. He attended the United States Military Academy
at West Point, New York
and was graduated on May 6, 1861, fifteenth in his class. Initially assigned to the 2nd U.S. Cavalry as a 2nd Lieutenant, he was almost immediately promoted to 1st lieutenant and transferred to Battery D, 5th U.S. Artillery.
, Hazlett commanded Battery D. During the Antietam Campaign, Hazlett was in command of Battery D, 4th U.S. Artillery. At the Battle of Antietam
on September 17, 1862, the battery was positioned near bridge number 2 eastern side of Antietam Creek, giving enfilading fire to Jackson's Corps and later engaged in fierce counter-battery fire with Confederate
artillery.
by Brig. Gen.
Gouverneur K. Warren
. Maneuvering the guns by hand up the steep and rocky slope of the hill was a difficult achievement. However, this effort had little effect on the action of July 2. The artillerymen were exposed to constant Confederate sniper
fire and could not work the guns effectively. More significantly, they could not depress the guns' barrels sufficiently to defend against incoming infantry attacks. While standing near the battery during the intense fighting, Brig. Gen. Stephen H. Weed
was mortally wounded by a bullet to his chest. His last words were reported as "I would rather die here than that the rebels should gain an inch of this ground." Reportedly, Hazlett was killed trying to hear what Weed was saying. Command of the battery passed to 2nd Lt Benjamin F. Rittenhouse
.
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
1st Lieutenant during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. He was killed on Little Round Top
Little Round Top
Little Round Top is the smaller of two rocky hills south of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. It was the site of an unsuccessful assault by Confederate troops against the Union left flank on July 2, 1863, the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg....
during the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg
Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg , was fought July 1–3, 1863, in and around the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The battle with the largest number of casualties in the American Civil War, it is often described as the war's turning point. Union Maj. Gen. George Gordon Meade's Army of the Potomac...
.
Early life
Hazlett was born in Newark, OhioNewark, Ohio
In addition, the remains of a road leading south from the Octagon have been documented and explored. It was first surveyed in the 19th century, when its walls were more apparent. Called the Great Hopewell Road, it may extend to the Hopewell complex at Chillicothe, Ohio...
. He attended the United States Military Academy
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
at West Point, New York
West Point, New York
West Point is a federal military reservation established by President of the United States Thomas Jefferson in 1802. It is a census-designated place located in Town of Highlands in Orange County, New York, United States. The population was 7,138 at the 2000 census...
and was graduated on May 6, 1861, fifteenth in his class. Initially assigned to the 2nd U.S. Cavalry as a 2nd Lieutenant, he was almost immediately promoted to 1st lieutenant and transferred to Battery D, 5th U.S. Artillery.
Civil War
By the Second Battle of Bull RunSecond Battle of Bull Run
The Second Battle of Bull Run or Second Manassas was fought August 28–30, 1862, as part of the American Civil War. It was the culmination of an offensive campaign waged by Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia against Union Maj. Gen...
, Hazlett commanded Battery D. During the Antietam Campaign, Hazlett was in command of Battery D, 4th U.S. Artillery. At the Battle of Antietam
Battle of Antietam
The Battle of Antietam , fought on September 17, 1862, near Sharpsburg, Maryland, and Antietam Creek, as part of the Maryland Campaign, was the first major battle in the American Civil War to take place on Northern soil. It was the bloodiest single-day battle in American history, with about 23,000...
on September 17, 1862, the battery was positioned near bridge number 2 eastern side of Antietam Creek, giving enfilading fire to Jackson's Corps and later engaged in fierce counter-battery fire with Confederate
Confederate States Army
The Confederate States Army was the army of the Confederate States of America while the Confederacy existed during the American Civil War. On February 8, 1861, delegates from the seven Deep South states which had already declared their secession from the United States of America adopted the...
artillery.
Gettysburg
On the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg, Hazlett's Battery (3rd Division, V Corps), consisting of six 3-inch 10-pdr Parrott rifles, was rushed to the top of Little Round TopLittle Round Top
Little Round Top is the smaller of two rocky hills south of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. It was the site of an unsuccessful assault by Confederate troops against the Union left flank on July 2, 1863, the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg....
by Brig. Gen.
Brigadier general (United States)
A brigadier general in the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, is a one-star general officer, with the pay grade of O-7. Brigadier general ranks above a colonel and below major general. Brigadier general is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the other uniformed...
Gouverneur K. Warren
Gouverneur K. Warren
Gouverneur Kemble Warren was a civil engineer and prominent general in the Union Army during the American Civil War...
. Maneuvering the guns by hand up the steep and rocky slope of the hill was a difficult achievement. However, this effort had little effect on the action of July 2. The artillerymen were exposed to constant Confederate sniper
Sniper
A sniper is a marksman who shoots targets from concealed positions or distances exceeding the capabilities of regular personnel. Snipers typically have specialized training and distinct high-precision rifles....
fire and could not work the guns effectively. More significantly, they could not depress the guns' barrels sufficiently to defend against incoming infantry attacks. While standing near the battery during the intense fighting, Brig. Gen. Stephen H. Weed
Stephen H. Weed
Stephen Hinsdale Weed was a career military officer in the United States Army. He was killed defending Little Round Top during the Battle of Gettysburg in the American Civil War.-Early life and career:...
was mortally wounded by a bullet to his chest. His last words were reported as "I would rather die here than that the rebels should gain an inch of this ground." Reportedly, Hazlett was killed trying to hear what Weed was saying. Command of the battery passed to 2nd Lt Benjamin F. Rittenhouse
Benjamin F. Rittenhouse
Benjamin Franklin Rittenhouse was a U.S. Army 1st lieutenant during the American Civil War.-Early life:...
.