The Union lines contained numerous artillery emplacements. Battery Degolyer was established on May 25, and contained the largest concentration of cannon (22) in the Union siege lines. This emplacement was representative of the Federal cannon that were positioned at important locations. The battery consisted of guns from the 8th Battery Michigan Light Artillery, Yost's Independent Ohio Battery, Battery L, 2nd Illinois Light Artillery, and the 3rd Battery Ohio Light Artillery. It was named after its commander, Capt. Samuel De Golyer, who was mortally wounded during the siege, and faces the Great Redoubt, a Confederate fortification constructed to guard the Jackson Road entrance to the city.
Facing the Great Redoubt from Battery De Golyer
NPS Photo
On May 22, the northerners made a desperate, but unsuccessful, assault in an effort to capture the Great Redoubt. Guns such as these supported the assault and afterwards continued to bombard the Confederate stronghold. However, it was not until the surrender of the city on July 4, that Federal troops set foot in the Great Redoubt.
