Robert Bruce Ricketts distinguished himself as an artillery officer in the American Civil War. He is best known for his battery's defense against a Confederate attack on Cemetery Hill on the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg on July 2, 1863.
Rickett's Battery sketched by Alfred Waud
Cemetery Hill is a landform on the Gettysburg Battlefield that was the scene of fighting each day of the Battle of Gettysburg. The northernmost part of the Army of the Potomac defensive "fish-hook" line, the hill is gently sloped and provided a site for American Civil War artillery.
Jubal Early's attack on East Cemetery Hill, July 2, 1863 (engraving from The Century Magazine).
Hand-to-hand fighting over Rickett's guns
Appearance of Cemetery Hill previous to Pickett's Charge, sketched by Alfred Waud
Early's attack on East Cemetery Hill Confederate Union