1st Lieutenant Charles E. Hazlett (USA)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_E._Hazlett

Charles Edward Hazlett (October 15, 1838 – July 2, 1863) 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.

Early life

Hazlett was born in Newark, Ohio. 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.

Civil War

By the Second Battle of Bull Run, 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.

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 Top 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.[2] Command of the battery passed to 2nd Lt Benjamin F. Rittenhouse.

Burial

Hazlett was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in Zanesville, Ohio.