"Ruggle's Battery"

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As repeated CS assaults against the Hornets Nest fail, a number of artillery units are assembled along the south edge of Duncan’s Field beginning around 3:00pm. The amalgamation of batteries include the Washington Artillery of New Orleans (5th Co.), Bankhead’s Tennessee Battery, Swett’s Mississippi Battery, at least two batteries from Arkansas plus others totaling nearly 55 guns. At the time, it was the largest concentration of artillery ever seen in North America. From around 3:30 onwards they pound the US forces gathered around the Hornets Nest across Duncan Field with shot & shell. However US counterbattery fire gave as good as they got, disabling Robertson’s Florida battery and parts of others. Credited with finally breaking up Hornets Nest sector, the reality was that US resistance in the area was already beginning to crumble as assorted small units broke and retreated north to Pittsburg Landing.

Some controversy exists as to who exactly gave the order to concentrate artillery at this point. It has gone down in history as “Ruggle’s Battery” even though Brig. Genl. Daniel Ruggles was an infantry officer with little authority to order such a move. Major Francis Shoup, Chief of Artillery of Hardee’s Corps later claimed the honor during the postwar years. Other sources indicate that Brig. Genl. James Trudeau began the concentration after orders from Beauregard. NPS tablets at the site and literature tend to go with the “Ruggle’s Battery” designation.