When the regiment left Mexico for Fortress Monroe, in the summer of 1848, Light
Battery B and Company K were ordered to remain on the line of the Rio Grande. G
Company turned in its horses at New Orleans, but took its guns to Fortress
Monroe, where it was regularly dismounted in accordance with the Circular of
September 30, 1848, A. G. O. Under the Act of July 14, 1848, the companies were
reduced to forty-two enlisted men. In October the regiment was ordered to
Florida, and headquarters were established at Fort Pickens, but moved to
Pensacola in the following spring.
General Orders 22 of 1849 mounted an additional battery in each regiment. G,
of the Fourth, having been designated for that duty, was sent from Fort Pickens
to Jefferson Barracks; and after being there mounted proceeded to Leavenworth
and engaged in field duty. It did not remain mounted very long, for in March,
1851, all the light batteries, were dismounted excepting Taylor’s of the
First, and Bragg’s of the Third Artillery. While in Florida the companies were
kept constantly at work moving through the country. The orders of October 8,
1850, sent the regiment North with headquarters at Fort Columbus, the companies
being distributed to that post and Forts Lafayette, Hamilton, Mifflin and
Washington. A, C, H and M Companies did not remain long at their new stations,
for in June, 1851, they were sent to the coasts of North and South Carolina,
only to be sent North again the following June, when headquarters were ordered
to Fort Hamilton and a number of the companies to stations on the Lakes, as far
as Fort Mackinac.
In 1853 some of the companies again changed station, C and I Companies going
to Fort Independence, Massachusetts, while D and M, less fortunate, were sent to
the Rio Grande. General Walbach established regimental headquarters at
Baltimore, October 1, 1853, the regimental quartermaster and band remaining at
Fort Hamilton. In May, 1855, G Battery was ordered to prepare for the field as a
mountain-howitzer battery, and was so exercised on two occasions; but after
firing a few rounds of ammunition at practice, the matériel was so much injured
by the cracking of axles, etc., that the scheme had to be abandoned. The battery
subsequently joined in the Sioux expedition, mounted on the battery horses and
armed with long range rifles, and September 3, 1855, was engaged under Captain
Howe in the battle of Blue Water against the Brulé Indians, being the only one
of the four mounted companies that attacked the enemy on the heights on foot,
losing two men in the fight but killing and capturing a number of the Indians.
October 10th, it encountered a band of Indians and captured five, and
subsequently took station at Fort Laramie.
The first part of the following year it operated as cavalry under Cooke, but
in August it proceeded to Fort Leavenworth, resumed its guns and participated in
the Kansas troubles. It was dismounted under G. O. 9 of 1856, which permitted
only one battery to each regiment, and was sent to Fortress Monroe in December
to form part of the artillery school.
In the fall of 1856, the regiment was again sent to Florida, the field and
staff arriving at Fort Brooke, December 13th. All the companies,
excepting B and G were that winter in Florida, having been drawn from Fort
Mackinac on the north and Fort Brown on the south, “in order to carry on a
vigorous campaign against the Seminoles, who have within the year given
evidences of their hostility.”
Light Battery B had already been sent from Texas to Jefferson Barracks, and
in March, 1857 joined at Fort Leavenworth to form part of Harney’s Utah
expedition. It there received the horses of G Company, recently dismounted, its
own having been turned in at New Orleans.
The regiment was very actively engaged in hunting Indians while in Florida,
and suffered great hardships in some of its expeditions through the swamps. The
only casualty reported was the wounding of Pvt. King of M Company, in an
engagement at Big Cypress, March 13, 1857.
General Walbach died June 10, 1857, at the advanced age of ninety-three
years, and Francis S. Belton was made colonel of the regiment. The operations in
Florida were prosecuted with good promise of a successful termination of the
campaign, but the War Department concluding that its services were needed in
Kansas, all the regiment was sent to that Territory in the fall of the year
1857, and soon after distributed through Utah and Nebraska. The field staff and
band and Companies A and I took station at Fort Laramie, in August, 1858;
Company C and Light Battery B went to Salt Lake, D and E to Platte Ridge, F, H
and K to Fort Kearney, and L and M to Cheyenne Pass.
The following summer headquarters and companies E, H, I, L and M were sent to
Fort Randall, Dakota, A, to Salt Lake, and F and K to Fort Ridgely, Minn. The
privates of D Company were transferred to other companies of the regiment, and
the officers and non-commissioned officers proceeded to Fortress Monroe, where
the company was reorganized and took station. During the trouble at Harper’s
Ferry, in the fall of 1859, G and part of D Company were sent to that place and
remained there several weeks in November. In 1860, the companies in Utah were
kept busy protecting the parties of emigrants going West, and keeping open the
mail routes. Light Battery B, operating as cavalry, marched during that summer
2000 miles over a barren and desert country, and though the Indians were
continually hostile, the roads were kept open. The battery had a successful
fight against 200 Indians at Eagan’s Canyon, August, 11, 1860, losing three
men wounded (one mortally). August 10th, Sergeant Bishop, commanding
a small detachment of the battery, was attacked and forced to withdraw to Deep
Creek, where in a fight with a party of Indians, September 6th, he
was wounded. All the companies on the plains were kept busy scouting that
summer. L Company was sent from Fort Randall to Fortress Monroe that year,
exchanging with Company G.
In the War of the Rebellion the active service of the batteries (the term by
which we shall hereafter designate the units of the regiment) was so continuous
and they were so separated that it is simply impossible, in a short magazine
article, to attempt more than a general indication of the work performed by
them. The outbreak of the War soon brought the regiment in from the plains.
Regimental headquarters took station at Fort McHenry, but were subsequently sent
to Fort Washington. Colonel Belton was retired August 28, 1861, and Charles S.
Merchant became colonel of the regiment. He was retired August 1, 1863, and
Horace Brooks was made colonel.
We will now give, in alphabetical order, the services of the batteries during
the War.
BATTERY A.—Batteries A and C
were united at Washington, D. C., in October, 1861, made a light battery (4
10-pdr. Parrotts) and attached to Sumner’s Division in December. In March,
1862, its armament was changed to 6 12-pdr. guns, and it was assigned to
Richardson’s Division of the Second Corps.
It was first engaged with the enemy at Rappahannock Station April 28, 1862,
being with Howard’s Brigade; and in the ensuing campaign against Richmond it
did its full share of hard work. It fought well at Fair Oaks June 1st;
and, forming part of the rear guard of the Army, was heavily engaged at
Allen’s Farm and Savage Station June 29th, and at White Oak Swamp
June 30th (Capt. G. W. Hazzard of C being mortally, and Lieut. A.
Morris slightly wounded), and was in reserve at Malvern Hill the following day.
With Sumner on the right flank of the Army at Antietam it fought desperately,
and in the language of its corps commander, rendered “ distinguished
service.” It was next engaged at Charlestown, W. Va., October 16, 1862. Two
days later the batteries (A-C) were separated at Harper’s Ferry.
A Battery obtained seventy men from the 4th Ohio, proceeded to
Washington to refit, obtained 6 3-in. rifles, and rejoined the Second Corps.
It was near the right of Hays’ Division of Artillery when Fredericksburg
was bombarded, and afterwards crossed the river and was in the fight of December
14th. It afterwards formed part of the artillery reserve of the
Second Corps; and though present and occupying several positions at
Chancellorsville, it was not regularly engaged. After that it became part of the
artillery brigade of the Second Corps, and was engaged with the enemy at
Haymarket May 28, 1863.
On the afternoon Of July 2, 1863, it was put in position just on the right of
Webb’s Brigade of the Second Division, and fought hard and well; and when, the
following afternoon, this point became the objective of the opposing forces, and
Pickett’s men pushed forward to the stone wall, Battery A of the Fourth
Artillery, just in rear of the wall, though hard hit itself, poured withering
fire into the advancing ranks. The battery may well be proud of its magnificent
record in the battle of Gettysburg, and Lieut. Alonzo H. Cushing, killed in
Pickett’s charge, has left a name for gallantry that cannot be excelled.
Cushing and Milne (1st R. I. A. attached) killed, Canby wounded,
thirty-eight men killed and wounded, three limbers blown up, carriages and guns
broken and injured, and sixty-five horses killed and wounded bear witness to the
fact that A Battery was engaged at Gettysburg. What remained of it was attached
after the battle to I Battery of the 1st Artillery, but was separated
from it July 16th, made a horse battery (2 3-in. rifles and 2 12-pdr.
Napoleons), assigned to the First Brigade of Horse Artillery, and remained with
it until dismounted in June, 1864.
Its service while a horse battery was with the cavalry, and it fought at
Sulphur Springs September 11th and 12th, at Bristoe
Station October 14th, and at Parker’s Store November 29, 1863.
In Grant’s Wilderness campaign, in the spring of 1864, it was engaged at
Todd’s Tavern May 5th, at Tiney Woods May 6th, again at
Todd’s Tavern May 7th, and at Pine Run May 8th.
Starting on Sheridan’s raid May 9th, it fought at Ground
Squirrel Church May 10th, before Richmond May 11th, at
Mechanicsville May 12th, and at Salem Church and Harrison’s Store
May 28th. It reached Harrison’s Landing June 3d, and was there
dismounted. It was sent the next day to Washington, equipped as a light battery,
and remained in the defenses of Washington from that time until the close of the
War.
BATTERY B.—B Battery was a
light battery throughout the War. It was armed with six 12-pdrs. until May,
1864, when two of the guns were turned in, and it thereafter served as a
four-gun battery. It reached Washington in October, 1861, obtained its new
armament, and was assigned to M’Dowell’s Division the following month. When
Pope’s army was organized in June, 1862, it was assigned to the 4th
(Gibbon’s) Brigade of the 1st (King’s) Division of the 3d (M’Dowell’s)
Corps.
It was first opposed to the enemy at Orange Court House July 26, 1862, was
under fire at Cedar Mountain August 17th-19th, engaged in
the defense of the Rappahannock at Rappahannock Station August 21St-23d,
in action at Sulphur Springs August 25th-26th, fought hard
at Gainesville August 28th, and at the second battle of Bull Run
August 29th-30th.
When McClellan resumed command of the Army King’s Division was assigned to
the 1st (Hooker’s) Corps. The battery, still with Gibbon, fought
gallantly at South Mountain September 14th, and in the battle of
Antietam September 17th, when Hooker was directed to turn the left
flank of the enemy, B Battery was in the thickest of the fight, and though
subjected to a murderous fire at short range dealt desperate and effective blows
in return. Lieut. J. B. Campbell wounded, thirty-nine men and thirty-three
horses killed and wounded are indicative of the position of the battery in that
battle. At Fredericksburg, with Doubleday’s Division of the 1st
Corps, it crossed the river and was engaged in the battle from the 13th
to the 15th of December, 1862, and won the highest encomiums from its
corps commander, John F. Reynolds. After the battle it became part of the
artillery brigade of its division. It was engaged at Fitzhugh’s Crossing April
26, 1863, and was next under fire at Chancellorsville May 4th, 5th
and 6th.
After that the artillery of the corps was consolidated and it became part of
the artillery brigade of the 1st Corps. It went into action at
Gettysburg on the afternoon of July 1st, and was severely engaged,
barely escaping capture, and finally fell back to Cemetery Hill. The next day it
was hard at work under a very heavy fire, and continuing in position, had the
same experience July 3d. Lieuts. James Stewart and James Davison (5th
Art, attached) wounded, and thirty-two men and thirty-two horses killed, wounded
and missing, one caisson blown up, three broken down, and two guns placed hors
de combat are indicative of the positions occupied by “Jock” Stewart’s
Battery on the field of Gettysburg. The battery was engaged at Funkstown July 11th,
at Warrenton July 23d; and at Haymarket October 19th, and Mine Run
Nov. 30th it was in position.
It fought in the Wilderness in May, 1864, being engaged at Spottsylvania
Court House May 12th, Po River May 20th, North Anna May
23d, and Tolopotomy Creek May 25th. It was in position June 1-4th
at Bethesda Church, losing heavily in the fighting on the third and fourth days.
In position at White House June 15th, and engaged all day in the
fighting before Petersburg on June 18th, and remained in that
vicinity the rest of the year. It was engaged in a fight at Hatchers Run October
28, 1864, fought well at Gravelly Run March 29, 1865, where Lieut. John Mitchell
was wounded, and ended its fighting in the Civil War at Quaker Road March 30,
1865. Its war record is magnificent, excelled by none, and only equalled by that
of Battery K.
BATTERY C.—C Battery had to
its record, when separated from Battery A in October, 1862, the various
engagements indicated in the record given above of Battery A. Its captain, G. W.
Hazzard, was mortally wounded at White Oak Swamp. When A and C batteries were
separated, the horses, guns and equipments were turned over to C Battery, which
remained with Hancock’s division of the Second Corps. It crossed the river
with the Irish Brigade December 12, 1862, was placed in position opposite
Marye’s Heights the following day, and during the battle of Fredericksburg,
when the infantry struggled so hard to carry the Heights, C Battery did all that
it could to assist its sister arm. It next fought at Chancellorsville May 2-3,
1863, where part of the battery was with Hancock and Geary, and when the Third
Corps was forced back on Sunday morning the half of C Battery at the Salient
Angle, subjected to a terrific fire, poured canister into the enemy not sixty
yards distant. The struggle was desperate, Lieutenant O’Donohoe (attached) was
killed, and the intrepid Field voluntarily remained with Geary and did good work
long after he had been ordered out of action.
The battery was afterwards assigned to Ransom’s (First Regular) Brigade of
the Reserve Artillery. It was sent forward July 2d to the line of battle at
Gettysburg, just to the left of the Second Corps, and on that and the following
day was well fought by Evan Thomas, losing Lieut. John M’Gilvray wounded, and
seventeen men and twenty-nine horses killed and wounded. In August it was
reduced to a four-gun battery (12-pdr. Napoleons), and during October operated
with the Third Division of the Sixth Corps. It was regularly assigned to that
corps October 16th, and fought at Mine Run November 30, 1863.
It was united with E Battery as a horse battery April 11, 1864 (2 3-in., 2
12-pdrs.) and they remained so united until after the close of the War.
This united battery was at once assigned to the first brigade of horse
artillery, and during the spring campaign of 1864 was attached to the third
division (Wilson’s) of the cavalry corps, and was engaged at Craig’s Chapel
and Todd’s Tavern May 5th; at Spottsylvania Court House May 8th;
and, participating in Sheridan’s raid, fought at Meadow Bridge May 12th,
and at Mechanicsville, May 14th, losing five men and twenty-two
horses. Continuing with the cavalry corps it was engaged at White Oak Swamp June
3d, also at Riddell’s House the same day. Starting on Wilson’s raid June
22d, it fought at Nottoway Court House June 23d, Roanoke Station June 25th,
Stoney Creek Station June 28th, and June 29th at Ream’s
Station, where Wilson ran into the Confederate infantry, and after some severe
fighting the battery was captured. The guns were spiked, the carriages
destroyed, and the men mounted on the battery horses with pistols and sabres
picked up on the road, fought their way out, and rejoined the horse artillery
brigade the following day, after having lost several men wounded and eighteen
captured. It was at once re-equipped as a horse battery, receiving the same
armament as before.
It went with Wilson’s cavalry division to operate under Sheridan in the
Shenandoah, and was engaged at Winchester August 17th; Summit Point
August 21st; Kernsville August 25th Berryville September 5th;
after which it joined the reserve at Pleasant Valley. October 25th,
with a brigade of the 19th Corps, it was successful in repulsing the
attempt of Mosby to capture the paymaster’s train at Bunker Hill, and joining
Sheridan the following day was assigned to the second brigade of the first
cavalry division.
The half battery of rifled guns formed part of Sheridan’s command; when he
made his raid that began February 27, 1865, and this part of the battery did
good work in the fights that occurred at Waynesboro March 2d; Dinwiddie Court
House March 31st; Five Forks April 1st; Scott’s Cross
Roads, Sutherland Station, and Brown’s Cross Roads April 2d; Nelson’s Farm
and Sailor’s Creek April 6th; Appomattox April 8th; and
on the following day formed part of the fighting line that barred Lee’s way
and forced the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia.
BATTERY D.—D Battery was
mounted as a light battery in February, 1862, (6 12-pdr, guns) and remained a
light battery throughout the War. A detachment of it was at Big Bethel June 10th,
and at Fort Hatteras August 28, 1861.
The battery formed part of Wool’s force for the capture of Norfolk in May,
1862, and the following September was sent to Suffolk, where it remained with
the troops under General Peck, forming part of the first division of the 7th
Corps; and was sent on various expeditions while serving in that vicinity. The
right section (platoon is the name now given to what was then designated a
section), under Lieutenant Whitney, was engaged at Franklin, Va., October 4th,
and the entire battery having marched 50 miles in 30 hours, was in action at the
same place October 31st. It was next engaged when General Corcoran
had his fight at Deserted House January 29, 1863 and again the same afternoon,
ten miles from Suffolk, losing in the latter fight eleven men killed and
wounded. April 24th the left section was in action at Edenton Road
under General Peck, and from April 10th to May 30th, the
battery was engaged in the siege of Suffolk. It was also in action May 24th
while engaged under General Corcoran in destroying the Petersburg R. R.
It fought at Franklin, Va., June 18th, and at Windsor June 22d,
being part of the first division of the 7th Corps. When the 18th
Corps was organized in April, 1864, to play its part in Grant’s campaign
against Richmond, the battery belonged to the artillery brigade of the Second (Weitzel’s)
Division, and moved to Bermuda Hundred in May. The right and left sections were,
with the first division of the 18th Corps, engaged against the enemy
at Point of Rocks May 7th, and the right section had several men
wounded in the fight near Petersburg May 9th. The centre and left
sections were heavily engaged with severe loss at Fort Darling May 14th,
the entire battery at the same place two days later, and in front of Petersburg
June 15th, 16th and 17th. The left and centre
sections were engaged at Deep Bottom July 26th. The battery forming
part of the artillery brigade of the 10th Corps participated in the
siege of Petersburg, being daily engaged from August 26th to
September 24th, 1864, and also fought at Laurel Hill September 29th,
and at New Market Road October 7th of that year. It remained in front
of Petersburg until December, when it is reported as in front of Richmond, where
it remained until April 3d, when it marched through the city that had been so
long the capital of the Confederacy.
BATTERY E.—Battery E, armed
with 6 10-pdr. Parrott’s, was mounted as a light battery at Camp Monroe, Ohio,
in August, 1861, and joined Rosecrans’ army in West Virginia. In December it
was sent to General Kelly at Romney, and a section was with Dunning in his
little fight near Blue Gap, January 7, 1863. The battery now belonged to
Landers’ Division, which afterwards became the second (Shields’) division of
the 5th (Banks’) Corps in the organization of March, 1862. Four
guns of the battery were in the skirmishes at Middletown and Cedar Creek March
18th, and the entire battery, with Kimball’s Brigade, fought at the
battle of Winchester March 23d, and was in the skirmish at Mount Jackson April
17, 1862.
May 1st, Shields’ Division was transferred to M’Dowell’s
department. One section of the battery was engaged at Front Royal May 31st,
and June 9th the entire battery was heavily engaged at Port Republic
where, after a desperate resistance, it lost three guns and two caissons. One of
the guns it had the satisfaction of recapturing during the battle. The lost guns
were not replaced; but in July the battery was made a horse battery, retaining
its four Parrott guns. When the 1st, 2d and 3d Corps were organized
in June, 1862, the battery remained with M’Dowell, being reported as
unattached; but in August it was assigned to Reno’s Division of the 9th
Corps, and was engaged in the defense of the Rappahannock August 15-26th.
Temporarily attached to Hooker’s Division it was engaged at Broad Run
August 27th. Then rejoining Reno it fought at the battle of Second
Bull Run August 29th and 30th, where it “behaved
nobly,” and was in action at Chantilly September 1st. In the
reorganization of the Army it became part of Sturgis’ (2d) Division of the 9th
Corps, and did good fighting at South Mountain September 14th. It
participated in the battle of Antietam September 17th, where Lieut.
E. L. Baker was killed, and Capt. J. C. Clark was four times wounded. The
battery being without officers, General Hunt selected Lieut. Geo. W. Dickenson,
4th Artillery, to reorganize the battery after the battle and prepare
it for field service. Temporarily with Hancock’s Division, it was in the fight
at Charlestown, W. Va., October 16, 1862. It formed part of the grand battery
opposite Fredericksburg, then crossed the river with its division (Sturgis’)
on the morning of December 12th, and was heavily engaged on the
following day, when it was subjected to a terrific fire. In less than twenty
minutes “the gallant Dickenson fell gloriously at his post,” while twelve of
the cannoneers were killed and wounded, and all the men were twice driven from
their guns.
In March, 1863, it was assigned to the first brigade of horse artillery.
After Fredericksburg “Sam” Elder was placed in command of the battery and
retained it until the following November when he joined his own regiment. It
fought at Kelly’s Ford April 14, 1863, while on Stoneman’s Raid, and after
returning from the raid the Parrott guns were turned in and replaced by four
3-inch rifles. The battery was next engaged at Beverly Ford June 14th,
with Buford, and next with Kilpatrick’s division at Hanover June 30th;
in the Battle of Gettysburg July 1st, 2d and 3d; at Smithsburg July 5th;
at Hagerstown July 6th; at Boonsboro July 8th; at
Funkstown July 10th; again at Hagerstown July 11th; at
Port Conway September 3d; at Brandy Station October 10th and 11th;
at Buckland Mills October 13th; fought again the next day, and again
near Buckland’s Mills October 19th. October 27th and 28th
it was in action while engaged in guarding Raccoon Ford, and in December went
into winter quarters with its brigade of horse artillery. A new armament of
3-inch guns was obtained in March, 1864, but on the 11th of April C
and E batteries were consolidated and made a horse battery (two 3-inch rifles
and two 12-pounder guns) and the war record of E battery from that time on has
already been given in the record of Battery C.
BATTERY F.—Battery F arrived
in Washington from the West on the 18th of April, 1861, after having
had a number of its men injured from stones, etc., thrown by the mob while
passing through Baltimore. It was sent to Carlisle in June and there equipped as
a light battery (four 6-pounder guns and two 12-pounder howitzers) and formed
part of Patterson’s command, the sections being distributed to the different
brigades. The battery was first engaged at Falling Waters July 2d, 1861; July 8th
it is reported as attached to Stone’s brigade.
In the organization of the Army, October 15, 1861, it was assigned to
Banks’ division, of which it then formed part, and was engaged for several
days in December in defending dams Nos. 4 and 5. In the reorganization of March,
1862, it was assigned to to [sic] the First (Williams’) Division of the
Fifth (Banks’) Corps. One section was in action at Newton May 24th,
and the entire battery fought in the battle of Winchester the following day. In
June, 1862, the armament was changed to six 12-pounder Napoleon guns. When
Pope’s army was formed Banks’ corps became the Second Corps. At Cedar
Mountain the battery fought hard and well, suffering severely and losing, by an
accident, one gun in the retreat. After Pope’s campaign Banks’ corps was
made the 12th Corps (General Mansfield’s) which, after Antietam,
became Slocum’s. The battery was, in the reorganization, taken from the
division to form part of the artillery brigade of the corps, and was held in
reserve at Antietam and not engaged during, the battle.
It was at Chancellorsville that it covered itself with glory, being engaged
May 1st, 2d and 3d. Lieut. E. D. Muhlenberg, with his guns at the
angle near Geary, did work of which the battery may well feel proud, for with
“courage, coolness and indomitable bravery-he contended against the fearful
odds before him until every gunner was killed or wounded at his post, seven
horses killed and his ammunition exhausted.” Lieutenant F. B. Crosby, a most
gallant and efficient officer of the battery, was killed on the 3d.
We next find the battery engaged at Gettysburg, when July 2d it was in action
near Culp’s Hill, and on the following day, placed about the centre of the
line of the 12th Corps, it rendered valuable service by its work
against the enemy. That ended the fighting of F Battery for the War. It went
West with the 12th Corps that fall, and in the spring of 1864 was
sent to Nashville to form part of the first division of the reserve artillery of
the Army of the Cumberland. In October, 1864, it was dismounted, the privates
assigned to M Battery, and the officers and non-commissioned officers sent east
to recruit. It was not remounted nor did it again rejoin the forces in the
field.
BATTERY G.—Early in June,
1862, Battery G was equipped as a light battery 4 6-pdr. guns and 2 12-pdr.
howitzers) at Cincinnati, and joined McClellan in West Virginia, being present
at the fight at Rich Mountain July 11th. On the 25th of
July it was assigned to the Third (McCook’s) Brigade by Rosecrans, and
subsequently joining the First (Reynolds’) Brigade, it fought well at Green
Briar River October 3d, losing six men killed and wounded. In December it joined
the Army of the Potomac as part of the reserve artillery, and received a new
armament of 6 12-pdr. Napoleon guns.
It participated in the Peninsular campaign, being actively engaged in the
siege of Yorktown. After that it was attached to the Second (Slocum’s)
Division of the Second (Franklin’s) Corps, and a month later joined Getty’s
Brigade of Reserve Artillery. June 28, 1862, it joined Naglee (of Peck’s
Division of the Fourth Corps), who was left behind to hold Jackson in check, and
was that afternoon engaged in the fight at Bottom’s Bridge. It was on the line
of battle and slightly engaged on several occasions during the retreat, serving
with Peck, and also Smith’s Division of the Sixth Corps, after which it
returned to the artillery reserve. It next appeared with Sykes’ Division at
Antietam, and while the battle was going on was sent to Burnside; but it
practically did nothing in that battle.
At Fredericksburg it belonged to the right centre division of the reserve
artillery, was placed just to the left of the Lacy House December 10th,
and the next day was engaged and did well in covering the crossing of the
troops. It was next in action near Falmouth May 3-4, 1863, and the month after
was assigned to the Artillery Brigade of the Eleventh Corps. July 1st,
with the First (Barlow’s) Division of its Corps, it was severely engaged at
Gettysburg, losing its commander, Lieut. Bayard Wilkeson, “an officer of great
gallantry.” That night it was placed in position on Cemetery Hill, where,
under Lieut. E. A. Bancroft, it did heavy fighting July 2d and 3d, losing
thirteen men and twenty-four horses killed and wounded. It participated in the
movements of the Army of the Potomac until that fall, when it was sent West with
its corps; fought at Chattanooga October 22d, 23d and 24th, and
engaged in the pursuit of the enemy on the 26th and 27th.
The matériel of the battery was turned over in February, 1864, to the First
Ohio, the officers and men of the battery being sent to Nashville, where in
April four guns (4 12-pdr, Napoleons) were given to it, and in June a full
complement of horses was obtained. The battery was dismounted in the following
October, the privates transferred to Battery I, and the officers and
non-commissioned officers sent to New York to recruit. Its field service in the
War of the Rebellion was over, but in February, 1865, it was remounted as a
light battery at Washington, D. C.
BATTERY H.—H and M Batteries
arrived at Louisville, Ky., in January, 1862, from the West, February 1st
they were united, mounted as a light battery (2 3-in. and 2 12-pdrs.), and
assigned to Crittenden’s Division. that formed part of Buell’s command.
At the battle of Shiloh, April 7th, this battery went into action
near the left of Nelson’s line and did magnificent work, and later in the day,
with the 14th Brigade, it added lustre to its record. In the
reorganization in May, 1862, it was assigned to Nelson’s Division and was
engaged in the siege of Corinth; and while in the trenches at that place
received two more guns (3-in. rifles). It moved out of the trenches with the 22d
Brigade on the 28th of May and seized the bridge at Bridge Creek,
where it had a heavy fight.
One section was with Jackson’s Cavalry, when he had his fight at Tuscumbia
Creek, May 31st. June 2d the armament was again increased by the
addition of 2 12-pdr. howitzers. The battery was at the battle of Perryville,
October 8th, but not engaged. When Rosecrans assumed command in
October, 1862, it was attached to the Third (Grose’s) Brigade of the First
(Smith’s) Division of Crittenden’s Corps, and at the battle of Stone River,
December 29 and 31, 1862, and January 2, 1863, it was heavily engaged. A few
days after that battle the batteries were separated, H retaining the four
12-pdr. howitzers and M the 3-in. rifles. H Battery remained with Grose’s
Brigade and fought at Chickamauga, September 19th and 20th,
where Lieutenant Robert Floyd (3d Art. attached) was mortally wounded, twenty
men and twenty-five horses killed and wounded, and one gun lost. In this battle
the battery, under Lieutenant H. C. Cushing, did magnificent fighting and fully
earned the high praise bestowed on it.
February 24 and 2 5, 1864, it was engaged against the enemy at Buzzard’s
Roost Gap. The following month it was relieved from duty with Grose’s Brigade,
sent to Nashville to form part of the reserve artillery, and was there
dismounted in October, 1864, the privates being transferred to Battery I, and
the officers and non-commissioned officers sent east to recruit. It was then
sent to Washington where it was remounted as a light battery, in March, 1865,
but its war service was over.
BATTERY I.—In June, 1861,
Battery I joined McClellan’s headquarters in West Virginia, and was present at
Rich Mountain, July 11th-12th. July 22d, it was mounted as
a light battery (4 mountain howitzers) and three days later was assigned by
Rosecrans to the Second Brigade. That fall, with different brigades, it was
engaged in several minor actions, viz.: Carnifex Ferry September 13th;
New River November 5th; again at New River November 11th,
and the following day used two 10-pdr. Parrott’s (recently added to its
armament) at the same place. Leaving its howitzers in West Virginia, the battery
joined Buell’s forces in Kentucky in December, there received 4 6-pdrs. (two
of which belonged to the 4th Michigan) and was assigned to Thomas’
Division, which subsequently became T. W. Sherman’s. The battery was engaged
in the siege of Corinth, in May, 1862, and joined in the pursuit of the enemy
after the evacuation of the town. In August it was regularly assigned to the
Third (Steedman’s) Brigade of the Third (Thomas’) Division, which was then
under command of General Schoeppe and participated in the manoeuvres against
Bragg. After that the section of the 4th Michigan was relieved and
the armament of the battery became 2 6-pdr. guns and 2 10-pdr. Parrott’s.
The Third Division passed into Gilbert’s Corps, and was engaged near
Springfield, October 4th, and at Perryville, October 8, 1862. When
Rosecrans took command and reorganized the army the battery became part of the
Third (Steedman’s) Brigade of the First (S. S. Fry’s) Division of the
Fourteenth (Rosecrans’) Corps, October 24, 1862. In February, 1863, its
armament was changed to 4 12-pdr. guns. It skirmished with the Confederate
Cavalry near Chapel Hill March 3d and near Harpeth River March 8th,
and was sent several times during that month to the Harpeth River to prevent the
enemy from crossing. It participated in the Tullahoma campaign, and on the
morning of September 19, 1863, opened fire at Chickamauga, where it was heavily
engaged on that and the following day, losing Lieutenant N. Redmond wounded,
twenty-three men and nineteen horses killed and wounded, one limber blown up and
the battery wagon captured. This was the heaviest and most brilliant work of the
battery in the War, and the clear judgment of Lieutenant F. G. Smith, in holding
it at Snodgrass Hill, after Negley’s withdrawal, which subsequently became the
key point for the artillery that turned the tide of battle, enhances the value
of the work well done.
While at Chattanooga the battery, with the other troops, suffered for lack of
supplies and most of the horses died of starvation while standing at the picket
line; so that when it moved out in November it had only some thirty nearly
starved horses and a few mules to draw the guns and caissons.
At the battle of Chattanooga, November 23, 1863, it was put on duty with the
Second (Sheridan’s) Division of the Fourth Corps and was engaged near Bushy
Knob on that and the following day. It joined, with its own division, in the
pursuit on the 26th, but the horses were in such poor condition that
it had to be sent back to Chattanooga, where it was dismounted in March, 1864,
and sent to Nashville to form part of the garrison artillery. In October it was
filled up by the transfer of the privates from G and H Batteries, obtained the
four 12-pdr. guns from H Battery, and was regularly mounted as a horse battery.
It was assigned to Johnson’s Division of Cavalry, and in the following month
to Wilson’s command of Cavalry. It was engaged against the enemy at
Charlotte’s Pike December 15, 1864, and at Pulaski ten days later, where,
owing to the loss of seventeen horses and lack of support, one gun was lost.
When Wilson prepared for his raid through Alabama in the spring of 1865, the
battery under Lieut. G. B. Rodney, with eight horses to each of its four 12-pdr.
Napoleons, formed part of Upton’s Division. It skirmished with the enemy at
Jasper March 26th, fought near Montevallo March 31st, was
present at Ebenezer Church April 1st, engaged at Selma April 2d; and
April 16th did its last fighting in the War at Columbia.
BATTERY K.—In August, 1861,
Battery K was sent to Washington, mounted as a light battery (2 20-pdr.
Parrott’s and 2 12-pdr. howitzers), and in the organization in October was
assigned to the Reserve Artillery. In December its armament was changed to 6
12-pdr. Napoleon guns. It remained a light battery throughout the War, retaining
its six guns until May, 1864, when two of them were turned in, under the order
reducing the batteries to four guns each.
It participated in the Peninsular campaign, being engaged at Yorktown April
28, 1862. June 2d it was assigned to the Third (Heintzelman’s) Corps, and
fought at Fair Oaks June 25th, at Ropers’ Church June 30th,
at Malvern Hill July 1st, and again at the same place August 6th.
It did not reach Second Bull Run in time to participate in the battle, but was
engaged at Chantilly September 1st.
When Burnside took command of the Army it was assigned to the Second
(Sickles’) Division of the Third (Hooker’s) Corps, having been previously
part of the reserve/ artillery of the corps. It was engaged in the bombardment
of Fredericksburg December 11th and 12th, forming part of
Tompkins’ Division of Artillery; then joining Franklin’s troops on the
following day, it did excellent service against the right flank of the enemy.
May 3d it fought at Chancellorsville, losing Lieut. I. Arnold (Ord. Dept.
attached), wounded, and 44 men and 59 horses killed and wounded. It was in this
battle, on the height at Fairview, at the extreme left of the crest, while under
the most terrific fire, that K Battery won the admiration of all who beheld it,
and its record at Chancellorsville under Lieut. F. W. Seeley, that prince of
battery commanders, must always form one of the brightest pages in the history
of our light artillery. Its work may be equalled but it cannot be surpassed.
After the battle it became part of the corps artillery, was assigned to
Humphreys’ Division of the 3d Corps for the battle of Gettysburg, and July 2d
and 3d did work that, in the language of that magnificent soldier, Humphreys,
“excited my admiration as well as that of every officer who beheld it.”
Lieutenant Seeley was severely wounded and 24 men and 28 horses were killed,
wounded and missing. The Battery was next engaged at Union Mills October 18th,
and at Mine Run November 30, 1863. In April, 1864, when several of the Army
corps were consolidated, the Battery was assigned to the artillery brigade of
the 2d Corps, and during the succeeding campaigns of the War, under command of
Lieut. J. W. Roder, its hard fighting added to the magnificent reputation it had
already acquired. In the Wilderness campaign it was engaged at Spottsylvania
Heights May 10th, 12th, 16th and 18th;
near North Anna May 22d, 24th, 25th and 26th.;
at Sheridan’s Farm May 30th and 31st, at Cold Harbor
June 3d, 4th, 5th and 12th; near Petersburg
June 16th, 17th, 19th, 20th and 26th;
at Deep Bottom August 16th, and Boydton Plank Road October 27, 1864.
The right section was engaged at Hatcher’s Run, February 7, 8, 1865. and
the Battery participating with its corps in the final campaign against Lee, was
in action near Hatcher’s Run March 22d, in the vicinity of Fort Cummings March
25th, at Hatcher’s Run April 1st and 2d, at Sailor’s
Creek April 6th, and had the satisfaction of being at Appomattox
Court House on the 9th of April when the Army of Northern Virginia
laid down its arms.
BATTERY L.—Battery L was
mounted as a light battery at Fortress Monroe, in July, 1861 (6 12-pdr.
Napoleons), and remained so mounted throughout the War. Its first engagement was
March 8, 1862, when, from its position at Newport News, it was in action against
the famous Merrimac.
It was sent to Suffolk in July to form part of General Mansfield’s force,
and remained in that vicinity until the organization of the Army of the James,
when it joined that army and participated in its operations. When the 7th
Corps was formed, in September, 1862, the Battery became part of Peck’s
Division of that Corps. It was attached to Ferry’s Brigade in the operations
that fall, and fought at Blackwater October 26th, and at Joiner’s
Ford December 13th of that year.
Getty’s Division of the 9th Corps became the 2d Division of the
7th Corps in March, 1863, and the battery was attached to it. It
participated in the siege of Suffolk, which lasted from April 10th
until May 3d, and also fought near Suffolk May 3d; near Franklin May 16th,
and was again in action a few days later, when it assisted in the destruction of
the Petersburg railroad. In July, 1863, it was sent with Sear’s Brigade of
Cavalry on a raid into North Carolina, and was engaged against the enemy’s
entrenched position near Jackson, on the 28th of that month; after
which it proceeded to Winston and embarked for Portsmouth, Va. About this time
the 7th Corps was discontinued and the battery was sent to Yorktown
in October to form part of General Wistar’s command, which in the
reorganization of April, 1864, passed into the 2d Division of the 18th
Corps, the Battery becoming part of the artillery brigade of its division. A few
weeks after, all the batteries of the corps were formed into a brigade of corps
artillery.
The Battery moved to Bermuda Hundred with Butler’s forces and under General
Heckman, was engaged at Valley Farm, May 6, 1864, and at Walthall Junction the
following day. It fought within two miles of Petersburg, May 10th, at
Proctor’s Creek May 13th, and on the following day was engaged for
five hours against an entrenched battery. When Grant detached four divisions
from the Tenth and Eighteenth Corps at Bermuda Hundred, the latter part of May,
1864, and brought them around by steamer to White House to operate with the Army
of the Potomac, L Battery accompanied Heckman’s division. While engaged in
this movement Lieut. J. S. Hunt (who had relieved Captain R. V. W. Howard of
command of the battery the previous September) fell from the steamer the night
of May 28th and was drowned. Lieut. H. B. Beecher then took command
of the Battery and retained it until the close of the War. The Battery
participated in the fighting at Gaines’ Farm June 1st, when an
attempt was made to force the passage of the Chickahominy, and two days later
fought in the battle of Cold Harbor, where Lieut. S. L. Hubbard (2d Mass. Vols.
attached) was wounded and 5 men and 14 horses were killed and wounded.
After serving on picket duty on alternate days from the 5th to the
12th of June, it returned to the Army of the James and was engaged in
the siege of Petersburg from June 17th until August 28th,
in which Lieutenant Beecher and the Battery were highly distinguished. It was in
the trenches from the 22d to the 30th of June, from the 1st
to the 11th of August (when it was partially engaged day and night),
and again from the 14th to the 27th of the same
month-during which operations it suffered some loss in both men and horses.
August 28th it crossed the Chickahominy, moved to Hatcher’s Run,
went immediately on picket duty, and was engaged in the trenches before Richmond
until the 5th of the following February, when it was relieved from
its position and moved to Signal Hill. When the Twenty-fourth Corps was
organized the previous December from troops of the Tenth and Eighteenth Corps,
the Battery became part of the artillery brigade of that corps and served with
it in the operations around Richmond.
BATTERY M.—The story of M
Battery in the Civil War, until after the Battle of Stone River, has already
been told in the sketch of H Battery.
Batteries H and M were separated immediately after that battle, M Battery
retaining the four 3-in. guns, and at the same time increasing its armament by
the addition of two 24-pdr. howitzers. It still remained with Grose’s Brigade,
which became the Third Brigade of the Second Division of the Twenty-first Corps
on the 9th of January, 1863. Moving with its brigade the battery
experienced all the discomforts of the Tullahoma campaign; and after that, at
the battle of Chickamauga September 19 and 20, 1863, under Lieut. F. D. L.
Russell, it fought in a distinguished manner, losing 8 men and 13 horses killed
and wounded. When the Fourth Corps was recreated September 28, 1863, the Battery
passed into it with Palmer’s Division and became part of the Artillery Brigade
of the First Division of the Fourth Corps. It remained at Chattanooga until
November, and was then sent with the First (Cruft’s) Brigade to guard the
railroad bridge at Bridgeport, Alabama. By the following March it had become so
reduced in horses that it was dismounted (turning in its guns and horses at Blue
Springs, Tenn., March 19, 1864) and sent back to Nashville to refit. It there
received four 12-pdr. guns March 30th, and the necessary horses in
May, and again became a light battery. In June it marched to Decatur; but soon
after returning to Nashville by rail, it was assigned to the First Division of
the Reserve Artillery of the Army of the Cumberland. In October its enlisted
strength was increased by the transfer to it of the privates of F Battery of the
regiment.
Half of the battery was attached to Croxton’s Brigade of Cavalry in October
to operate along the Tennessee River, and was severely engaged near Pulaski
October 22d, again on October 29th, when Croxton was driven back by
Hood, and at Shoal Creek November 4th. The half batteries were
reunited at Columbia the latter part of November. The battery was now attached
to the artillery brigade of the Fourth Corps, and in Schofield’s operations in
that vicinity it was placed in position on several occasions. It was heavily
engaged at the battle of Franklin November 30th, losing 9 men and a
number of horses.
It fought in the battle of Nashville December 15th and 16th,
and afterwards accompanied the artillery brigade in pursuit of the enemy. It
then went into winter quarters at Pulaski, where it remained until the, latter
part of January, 1865. Then proceeding to Huntsville it turned in its horses and
moved to Bridgeport with its guns, where it took station in Fort Number One as
part of the post artillery.
The following June while at Chattanooga it was mounted as a horse battery,
but the War was over and it was soon after permanently dismounted.
Almost all of the field officers and captains, and some of the lieutenants
were detached from the regiment and given higher commands during the War, E. O.
C. Ord, A. P. Howe, Gustavus A. DeRussy and John Gibbon winning fame as
commanders of high rank; while Charles H. Morgan, on the general staff of the
Second Corps, proved himself to be a man of the most distinguished military
attainments combined with indomitable energy. Morgan was promoted major under
the Act of 1866, giving an additional major to each regiment.
By the fall of 1865 most of the batteries had been dismounted and the
regiment was again performing garrison duty. Headquarters were at Fort M’Henry
with batteries at that post, Forts Delaware, Washington, Foote, Monroe, Whipple,
and in Washington City.
D Battery had been sent with its corps to Texas, but returned North and took
station at Washington in February, 1866. B and K Batteries having made the most
brilliant records in the War, were recommended by the colonel of the regiment to
be retained as the two light batteries of the regiment. But the captain and one
or more lieutenants of K being absent on detached service, this recommendation
was not approved at the War Department in regard to that battery, and G, which
had been one of the mounted batteries before the War, was retained as a light
battery in its stead.
Light Battery B was sent to Leavenworth and G took station at Detroit.
The organization of a light battery under Orders No. 151, Series 1865, was 74
privates, 73 horses, 56 sabres (the drivers not being armed), and 8 revolvers
for chiefs of pieces and caissons. One battery of each regiment was to be armed
with 4 3-in. rifles and the other with 4 12-pdr. Napoleon guns.