Hart's/Halsey's
Washington Artillery Volunteers

Known as the Washington Artillery Volunteers and Hampton's Legion Artillery, this battery was more often referred to by the name of its second captain and known as "Hart's Battery." Made-up largely of men from Charleston, Orangeburg, Barnwell, Colleton, Beaufort and Bamberg Districts, the company was formed from a division of the Washington Artillery of Charleston. The newly organized Washington Artillery Volunteers had approximately fifty members on its rolls in less than a month following the bombardment of Fort Sumter. Composed largely of artisans and mechanics, the company of men soon sought out leadership that was "to be officered by men educated to the profession of arms." With this reassurance exhibited, the company's ranks were soon filled and efforts expedited in order to find a staff of worthy officers. In the meantime, in early June, the company was inspected and received as the "Washington Artillery Volunteers" as a part of the famous Hampton's Legion.

Several officers were solicited for the post to lead the company including Arthur Middleton Manigault (later colonel, 10th S.C. Infantry), William Cruger Heyward (later colonel, 11th S.C. Infantry), John B. Villepique, John Pegram, and other West Point graduates. The captaincy was finally placed in an offer to Captain Stephen Dill Lee. Then a member of General P.G.T. Beauregard's staff, Lee immediately signified acceptance of the post. However, due to his obligations with the quartermaster's department, Lee was unable to assume command until the company's arrival in Virginia.

On June 10 the company left Hampstead Mall, under an escort by the (1st) Washington, German and Lafayette Artillery, proceeded to Military Hall and was presented with "a handsome guidon." Following the brief ceremony, the proud new company made their way to Columbia where they arrived on the following day. On June 13, the Washington Artillery Volunteers were officially mustered into service with 147 men "rank and file." The company departed for Virginia on June 24, 1861.

Upon arrival in the suburbs of Richmond and camp made at Rockett's, the officers at once set to work on supplying the company. Armed initially (by the latter part of July) with pieces manufactured by the Tredegar Foundry (two rifled pieces with 3 ½ inch bores, and four 12-pounder howitzers), the battery was later supplied with a fine battery of four Blakely Rifles brought from England to Savannah, Georgia in November, 1861, aboard the steamerBermuda.

Detained from serving with the Hampton Legion at 1st Manassas due to failure to receive armament in time, the battery later served, mostly under the command of Hart, in several battles before being transferred with Hampton to the cavalry and ultimate service with the famous Stuart Horse Artillery Battalion. While in the service of this battalion, Hart's Battery saw service in a plethora of engagements under battalion commanders such as John Pelham, Robert Franklin Beckham, and Roger Preston Chew. In the long list of actions in which the battery was involved, Captain Hart was seriously wounded and replaced by the promotion of Halsey as the last battery captain.

Eventually attached to Butler's Division, Halsey's Battery followed several South Carolina cavalry regiments to serve in their native Palmetto State and North Carolina against the advance of William T. Sherman's menacing forces. The battery was eventually surrendered as a part of the Army of Tennessee with General Joseph E. Johnston at the Bennett House near Durham, North Carolina on April 26, 1865 and the survivors were given paroles on May 2, 1865 at Greensboro, North Carolina.

Freestone Point, VA (on the Potomac), September, 1861

Cockpit Point, VA (on the Potomac), November 9, 1861

Seven Days Battles, June 25 - July 1, 1862

2nd Manassas/Bull Run, VA, August 28-30, 1862

Monacacy, MD., September 12, 1862

Frederick, MD, September 13, 1862

South Mountain, MD, September 14, 1862

Sharpsburg/Antietam, MD, September 17, 1862

Stuart's Chambersburg Raid [one section], October 9-12, 1862

Barker's Crossroads, Little Washington, Sperryville, Va, November, 1861

Fredericksburg Campaign, VA, December 11-15, 1862

Chancellorsville, VA, May 1-5, 1863

Brandy Station, VA, June 9, 1863

Warrenton, VA, June 17, 1863

Middleburg, VA, June 19, 1863

Upperville, VA, June 21, 1863

Hanover, PA, June 30, 1863

Attached to III Corps, Gettysburg, PA, July 2-3, 1863

Williamsport, MD, July 5, 1863

Brandy Station, VA, August 1, 1863

Raccoon Ford, VA, September 11 & 12, 1863

Jack's Shop, VA, October, 1863

Bristoe Campaign, VA, October 9-22, 1863

Mine Run Campaign, VA, November - December, 1863

The Wilderness Campaign & Yellow Tavern, VA, May 5-12, 1864

Spotsylvania Court House, VA, May 8-21, 1864

Hawe's Shop, VA, May 28, 1864

Trevillian's Station, June, 1864

York River, VA, June 20, 1864

Samaria Church, VA, June 24, 1864

Petersburg Seige, VA, June 1864 - April 1865

McDowell's Farm, VA, September, 1864

Armstrong's Mill, VA, October, 1864

Burgess' Mill, VA, October 27, 1864

Hatcher's Run/Dinwiddie Road, VA, October 28, 1864

Bentonville, NC, March 19-21, 1865

Captains:

Stephen Dill Lee - a West Point (USMA '54) graduate, S.D. Lee assumed command as first captain of the Washington Artillery but was promoted on November 8, 1861 to major and artillery battalion commander within the Hampton Legion. S.D. Lee was more popularly known for his service as artillery battalion commander in what he proclaimed as "Artillery Hell" near the Dunker Church at Sharpsburg/Antietam on September 17, 1862 and even more for his service as a Confederate general.

James Franklin Hart - A Graduate of the Citadel (SCMA), Hart was initially a lieutnant of C.S. Engineers. Enlisted with the Washington Artillery and promoted lieutenant, June 15, 1861. Promoted to captain at Lee's promotion to major, November 27, 1861. In the severe action at Burgess' Mill, Hart lost a leg, but was promoted to major, February, 1865.

E. Lindsey Halsey - A native of Charleston, Halsey assumed command following Hart's disabling wound, was promoted to captain and commanded the company through the close of its service with the surrender of Johnston in North Carolina on April 26, 1865.

Lieutenants:

Frank M. Bamberg, 1st Lt. (Orangeburg, S.C.)

S. Gilman Horsey, 1st Lt.

Warren R. Marshall, 1st Lt.

William T. Adams, 2nd Lt. (Beaufort, S.C.)

Jeremiah Cleveland, 2nd Lt. (Greenville, S.C.)

Paul Hamilton, 2nd Lt. & Adjutant

Philip W. Hutchinson, 2nd Lt.

SEEKING INFORMATION
Anyone able to identfy information about the following listed individuals or if copies of wartime diaries, letters or memoirs are available for copying please contact:Robert H. Moore, II

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