On the afternoon of July 3rd Battery “I” participated in the cannonade that preceded Longstreet’s (Pickett’s) charge on the center of the Union line. The captain had command over as many as 170 men and 98 horses in a six gun battery with six horse teams. The sergeants were ranked in order of seniority, i.e., Second Sergeant, Third Sergeant, Fourth Sergeant, etc. During the 18th century "battery" began to be used a… 2nd Division, I Corps, Army of the Potomac, to May 1863. On the march they rode abreast of their sections to keep the proper intervals and to check straggling. From time to time due to illness or wounds recieved in battle, the Battery relied heavily on its Lieutenantfor command. by R. B. Hansen The wound proves to be fatal due to blood poisoning following amputation and a relapse of Typhoid. Directly, Philadelphia Brigade commander Brigadier General William Burns arrived on the scene and ordered some of his foot soldiers to help get the Napoleon across the bridge by disassembling the carriage and carrying the barrel and pieces to solid ground. Battery I pulls its guns through the mud. Once again, William Burns’ troops were called on to save the Napoleons. It is after May 25th as we know that the first Union troops to enter Alexandria were Zouaves commanded by Elmer Ellsworth. Great photos. It is eventually withdrawn to United States Ford and there forms part of the reserve artillery gathering there. The crews of these guns were literally mowed down to the last man, suffering all killed and wounded among them.. Devins men threw the guns into the river to avoid them being captured. That night Kirby’s new commission was laid in his had by the President of the United States…. It meant DUTY !! Artillery – Captain J.B. Ricketts (W&C). After crossing the stream, where I watered my horses, my first order was to take down some fences. Lt McCrea seeking promotion joins another battery in the 1st Regiment goes to Florida and is severely wounded at the battle of Olustee but survives. It was during this time that commanding officer Lt Woodruff received a Confederate minie ball in the abdomen and was mortally wounded. Typescript, Public Library, Greenwood, MS. Owens: In Camp & Battle with the Washington Artillery, Boston, 1885. On its journey to the Department of the Gulf it was wrecked twice and was en route fifty-one days. Primary job was the care of the limbers and caissons, especially in seeing that the ammunition in them was properly packed and in good condition. When arriving at a position to form a battle line, the guidon first halted to establish the right or center of the proposed line. Coupled with road dust, confusion, and battle smoke, the battery's platoons needed a marker the guides (sergeants) could see so they could direct their platoons on the march and onto the battlefield. Early in the War, two or three batteries were assigned to each brigade of infantry. It should be remembered that Battery I, 1st US was under Magruders command when it left Ft Leavenworth a mere 18 months earlier and during this battle, found himself looking at the “business end” of Battery I’s Napoleons. Forage and corn for the horses were a much sought after commodity - sometimes by starving infantrymen. Battery I has two very important jobs.. It would soon prove to be a true prediction as the 33rd Virginia Infantry Regiment advanced upon the right flank of Battery I and Battery D and was able, because of poor identification, to pour a raking fire into both batteries, cutting them to pieces. In emergencies and on order of the captain, they mounted the limbers and caissons for quick transportation or disposition on the battlefield. Lt. Brown: History of Stanford's Battery. It then retired about seventy-five yards and again opened, and continued to fire till a line- part of the second Corps marched across its field of fire. The section fired into the mass of troops at the angle and did so with rapid fire double canister until the outcome was decided. I know it was the hottest place I ever saw in my life, and I had seen some fighting before. (Approximately 1 1/2 years) as each, seemingly taking turns, comes down with Typhoid and takes leave until recovered. “I thought our chances of Kingdom Come or Libby Prison to be pretty good ! Captain James B. Ricketts. The first sergeant also used them as a ready pool of manpower when the battery was in drill status so miscellaneous work could be accomplished. I moved forward, and was about to come into battery again, when I was ordered to proceed further on, up to a hill by the Henry house….. Rowell: Yankee Artilleryman, U of Tennessee Press, 1971. The rebel guns were at an elevation and were able to reach the battery but not be within range of our guns. He assisted the captain in the supervision of the company's operations and was responsible for the administration work of the battery. War Department: Instruction for Field Artillery, J. Note: Brevet Lieutenant Colonel J B Magruder, 1st United States Artillery, was assigned to command the United States Artillery stationed at Washington, D. C., and Fort McHenry, Baltimore Harbour, on 4 April, 1861, but resigned on 20 April, 1861, and was appointed colonel, Confederate States Army. Following 1st Bull Run, the battery is refitted and issued 4 new Parrott Rifles ( 10 pounders ) and 2 – 12 pound Field Howitzers (model 1841′s). 1st Artillery (Light) 1st Battalion of Artillery (Heavy) 1st Independent Battalion, Light Artillery. Only at the beginning of the war and near the end did the Battery actaully have a Captain in command of the Unit. the enemy took advantage of the woods and the natural slope of the ground, and delivered a terrible fire upon us. who immediately turns the tables on the Union force, forcing them into abandoning the peninsula and falling back on their supply base. The battery was attached to 2nd Division, Department of the Rappahannock, to June 1862. A Confederate battery was a bit smaller usually numbering only four cannons. My battery consisted of six rifled Parrott guns, consequently I was more than a match at that distance for the smooth-bore battery ….. After firing, I should judge, twenty minutes, or half an hour, I had orders to advance a certain distance. Woodruff fired several rounds of solid shot which passed through the church, and very much disturbed the enemy’s formation. It seems that on that first drill, as the individual regiments took their place in line, coming into line of battle at the double quick and, leaving a space for the artillery battery, Battery I’s bugler called the familiar ” In Battery ” and “Action Front” as had been done countless times in the past.. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Battery "G", 2nd Illinois Light Artillery Regiment was an artillery battery from Illinois that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The term also came to be used for a group of cannon in a fixed fortification, for coastal or frontier defence. These pieces were positioned near the right of the line and immediately came under a fierce fire from Confederate infantry and artillery.. Equipped originally with 4 – 12 pound field howitzers, Battery I travels east to Washington and arrives in February of 1861 with these same guns. The Battery. B. Lyon Company, 1912. They received their instructions from the first sergeant and traveled in the rear of the battery near their tools. Appointment made, signed to date 28 May, 1863 and delivered in person same date , A. Lincoln. Many times these men were railed as shirkers from the fighting part of the army. The stripe outlined in light blue indicates Service During War. I am ordered!”, thundered Sumner, and with that, Sedgwick’s men stepped onto the rickety bridge. William A. Arnold, Battery B, 1st Rhode Island- Captain Fred Brown, Lt. Walter Perrin, Battery I, 1st US Artillery- Lt. George A. Woodruff, Lt. Tully McCrea, Battery A, 4th US Artillery- Lt. Alonzo Cushing, Sgt. One of Willis Gorman’s boys recorded that he and his comrades “waded through mud and water nearly waist deep before we reached hard ground.” Kirby’s guns had become stuck in the mud immediately after they bounced off the bridge. Within the old First Regiment of Artillery, Battery I has the oldest lineage of any unit within that regiment and sustained the highest number of casualties of any battery within the First Regiment during the Civil War. William H. Ellis and Walter Shaw, and mustered in the service of the United States for three years January 14, 1862. This staff NCO received his direction from the first sergeant or the captain. The Battery has been issued brand new bronze Napoleon Cannon.. Model 1857 Light Gun Howitzers.. and is using them to good effect. The Zouaves and the Californians who were themselves just filing off the bridge, began working feverishly to get the needed artillery to the front. Had command of, and responsibility for the men and equipment of a platoon, The personnel consisted of the gunner and his cannoneers, and the chief of caisson and his drivers. The 108th New York would receive heavy casualties that day and not be able to fire a shot in return because of its position in the midst of Battery I’s position.. an artillery battery takes up about the equivalent of half a football field when deployed with its caissons, limbers and guns. In a four gun battery with four horse teams he had to have a minimum of 71 men and 45 horses to function efficiently. On the road they marched near their pieces with their cannoneers. “Woodruff’s Battery” The monument to Battery I, 1st United States Artillery is south of Gettysburg on Hancock Avenue in Ziegler’s Grove. The letter informed George Woodruff of the death of his Mother and it is probably fortunate he did not know…. Discussion Weapons In R&D At The End Of The Civil War "The Orazio Lugo Artillery Shell" Can Anyone Explain How It Works? Another guard was placed over the horses, whether they were in stables or picketed, to protect them and their forage from theft. The battery emerges from the Civil War and finds itself commanded by “Non” West Point Officers until 1880 when a young Lt. by the name of Tasker Bliss joins the 1st Artillery Regiment. Virginia provided the following units to the Virginia Militia and the Provisional Army of the Confederate States (PACS) during the American Civil War.Despite the state's secession from the Union it would supply them with third most troops from a Southern state (next to Tennessee and North Carolina) along with the newly created West Virginia totaling at 22,000. Some of these duties included taking care of the horses, the gun, the gun carriage, and other routine duties. I told the officer that he must indicate the spot, so that there should be no mistake about it. I then came into action about a thousand yards from the enemy I should judge. The company arrived by the Northern Central Railroad at Baltimore City, Maryland, via Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, in the evening on 12 January, 1861, and was assigned to garrison duty at Fort McHenry, Baltimore Harbour, by Colonel H Brown, 5th United States Artillery, the same day. Militia. The importance of the guidon is realized when considering that armies of the day maneuvered on small parcels of land with thousands of troops. Keeping the horses calm during battle and removing harness from downed horses was a skill of the drivers often used. When the action commenced with the cannonade at about 1pm on the 3rd, the Battery sent shell and solid shot the Confederate’s way. Casualties include Lt Ramsey killed, Captain Ricketts, wounded and captured and over a dozen enlisted men killed and wounded. There were several reconnaissances done along the Potomac late that summer and into early fall. A Civil War battery consisted of six cannons with over 100 men. Little & Maxwell: A History of Lumsden's Battery, CSA, Tuscaloosa, 1905. The firing was heavy and the Battery expended literally all of its shell, spherical case and solid shot.. Only cannister remained and as Lt. Tully McCrea said at the time. The farriers specific task was to keep all the horses and mules shod - a large task considering the number of animals in a battery. On the march he rode beside the left lead horse and performed duty as guide for his platoon. Edmund Kirby received a promotion to the rank of Brigadier General in a unique and remarkable document (which is hand written and looks as if made out by a woman) signed by William F. Barry, Brigadier General, US Vols., L.B. Horses quickly fatigued with the added weight and by 1862 both armies issued general orders for the cannoneers to march with their pieces. Considering the fact that some battles could cost the lives of thousands of horses. The guidon's official position in battle was supposed to be on the right, left, or center of the line of caissons, or 35 yards in rear of the cannon muzzle line. Long Bridge, Washington, D. C., 24 May, 1861: The 1st United States Artillery, Light Company I, was ordered across the Potomac River by the Long Bridge, Washington, D. C., at 12 PM on 24 May, 1861. Battery I, did not have a lot of time to rest.. Lee headed north into Maryland the the boys of Battery I, 1st US were right on his heels. They stood together with one heart and one soul, sustaining one another with all their might.” It is a small wonder, wrote a soldier in the 79th Pennsylvania Infantry.. “The men of the 2nd Corp worshiped the ground that Battery rode over!”, The 2nd Corp Artillery during the Gettysburg Campaign was as follows, Second Corps Artillery Brigade:Captain John G. Hazard, Battery B, 1st New York Light- Capt. In the aftermath of 1st Bull Run and Balls Bluff, the battery encamps with its Brigade at “Camp Stone” for the winter. Description: The concise guide to the weapons, ammunition and equipment of Civil War artillery; includes more than 150 photographs, pictures and drawings. This was easier said than done. May 1-4: Battle of Chancellorsville : May: Attached to McIntoch’s Battalion of the Second Corps Artillery Reserve: June: The battery was attached to McIntoch’s Battalion of the Third Corps Artillery Reserve. The old horse knew his role.. he knew where his station was and without rider, found his place squarely behind the right section of Parrott Rifles and stood at attention. A little before sunset, Col Hudson, of Gen. McCllellans’s staff, directed the battery in position on the right crest of the hill over which the Irish brigade had fought. The artificer was primarily a blacksmith - he repaired the wood and iron parts of the battery carriages. Every battery had an artificer and a farrier. He was the overseer of training and discipline, and instructed the sergeants on their NCO duties. Lt. Ramsey was remembered that day and his horse, retired from service shortly after, would be remembered as well. Original Site of Publication: The battery was discharged in July of 1864. In battle he helped direct the caisson of his platoon into a secured position as directed by the chief of line of caissons. In winter camps and during lulls in active campaigning they broke out their tools from the battery wagon and forge and went to work. Seventy one members reenlisted for the duration of the war and served with the First Illinois Light Artillery, Company A. Brief Pre-War and Civil War exploits of Battery I, 1st US Artillery . Often the teamsters were detailed to the battalion or brigade quartermaster, especially in the later part of the conflict. The men of the battery and of the brigade could only look and wonder at it all. It was a letter that he never had the chance to open and read as things had been such a blur of activity. For your conveniance and perusal scroll down to view the different Manuals. The senior half of the corporals were the gunners, the junior half the chiefs of caisson. There is some evidence that a few batteries had an artificer assigned to each platoon. The water was nearly even with the flooring and appeared to be rising. ORDER OF BATTLE for Division that Battery “I” served in…, Third Division: Colonel Samuel P. Heintzelman (W), First Brigade: Colonel William B. Franklin, 5th Massachusetts – Colonel S.C. Lawrence (W), 4th Pennsylvania – Colonel John F. Hartranft, Company I, 1st U.S. Battery Commander George Woodruff is hit hard by this turn of events as “Ned” was not only a trusted co-commander of the battery but his true friend. Attached to Carter’s Artillery Battalion of Rodes’ Division of the Second Corps. It was mustered in the United States service for three years February 25, 1863, at New Orleans, La. Over the noise of battle the bugle was also heard to sound 'In Battery', 'Commence Firing', and 'Cease Firing' on the captain's command. they must have had a heavy support, judging from the amount of lead they threw from their muskets, for long after I was down the hail was tremendous. ”Ned” dies on May 28th, 1863. It is about this time that 2nd Lt Woodruff (fresh from West Point) joins the battery to Lt. Kirby’s delight. We also do… Four 20 pound Parrott Rifles, 1st NY, Peninsula Campaign, June, 1862. Had command of, and responsibility for, their respective sections consisting of two platoons (40 men top average), and their equipment (two cannon, two caissons, four limbers, and 20 to 30 horses). Sumner, who would never be accused of disobeying an order, responded, “I can, sir! It is no doubt that they contributed to the final result. As the war progressed, the battery had to take what it could get but always took good care of its animals. this hill was directly in front of what is known as “Dead Mans Lane.” He said on the way that the general had particularly designated Battery I as one of the batteries he wanted there and his statement was handsomely verified by the general who, seeing the battery on its way , came up to it and said to the men, “ I am going to put you in an important place, and all I ask is that you will do as well as at Fair Oaks.” the hill was of the first importance should the fighting be renewed in the morning, on the other part of the hill, with the same orders, we found Graham’s battery where it had so grandly fought the day before….. At Harpers Ferry, a short time after the battle, Gen. McClellan came to the battery camp and thanked the men and officers for their conduct during the fight. The Southern troops suffered under this withering fire and returned to the woods. A battery usually had either six or four guns, although some batteries might have eight. June 1. One incident that occurred during the attack of July 3rd was that Lt Woodruff ordered his left section commander Lt. Eagan to take his 2 guns slightly to the left and fire through a collapsed gap in a stone wall that overlooked the “angle” where Confederate troops were at their thickest and threatening to overrun Cushing's Battery, 4th U.S. Though they were not 'up front', artillery generally had the tendency to shoot high, causing consternation among the drivers trying to control horses just in rear of the main battle line. Waving out of his front, Sedgwick’s retreating men, he openied with canister which the enemy got as nicely as could be wished. Historically the term "battery" referred to a cluster of cannon in action as a group, either in a temporary field position during a battle or at the siege of a fortress or a city. July 1-3. 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