Miscellaneous Disbanded Virginia Light Artillery

Miscellaneous Disbanded Virginia Light Artillery
by Robert H. Moore, II

(Published by H. E. Howard, Inc., 1997)
141 pages including maps, photographs, rosters, and bibliography
ISBN 1-56190-105-9

For pricing and availability contact:
H.E. Howard, Inc.
Rt. 2 Box 496H
Appomattox, Virginia 24522

About the Book:

Beauregard Rifles Artillery (1st Co. C, 1st Va. Light Artillery)

Originally Co. F, of the 1st Virginia Infantry, the Beauregard Rifles had been formed under Captain Frank B. Schaeffer. Serving in a battalion at the First Battle of Manassas on July 21, the company was relieved from duty with the 1st Virginia Infantry in September, 1861. Subsequently mustered as Co. C (1st), 1st Regiment Virginia Artillery, the company was mustered out November 13, 1861, per Special Order #71, Headquarters Army of Northern Virginia; dated November 5, 1861, pursuant to authority from the War Dept. dated October 22, 1861; no authority for the assignment of company of the 1st Regt. Va. Arty. has been found.

Washington/Hampton Artillery (1st Co. K, 1st Va. Light Artillery)

Originally organized as the Washington or Hampton Artillery, this company was formed under the command of Captain Charles L. Smith in Elizabeth City County. Originally designated as 1st Co. K, 32nd Virginia Infantry, the company, upon reorganization was assigned as Co. A of the 1st Regt. Va. Arty. Captain William W. Frazier later succeeded Cosnahan as battery commander.

After valuable service on several battlefields, the Washington/Hampton Artillery was caught in a reorganization of the artillery by the summer of 1862. The company was disbanded in June, 1862 and men were reassigned to other batteries in the 1st Regt.

Henrico Artillery (Co. A/B, 2nd Co. C, 1st Va. Light Artillery) Originally organized as the Henrico Artillery, this company was formed under the command of Captain Johnson H. Sands in Henrico County. Originally designated as Co. A of the 1st Regt. Va. Arty., this battery was also designated as Co. B and 2nd Company C of the same organization.

After valuable service on several battlefields, the Henrico Artillery was caught in a reorganization of the artillery by the late summer and early fall of 1862. It was at this time when the Army of Northern Virginia's desperate need for a formal reorganization of artillery was finally properly addressed. In a report by General William Nelson Pendleton dated October 2, 1862, the army's chief of artillery, then near Winchester, Virginia, presented the numerous problems in the service of the "long arm." In his overall evaluation of the batteries, the "reduced below the service standard" was the common reason for disbanding several of the batteries. Pendleton's suggestion led to Army of Northern Virginia Special Orders Number 209 dated October 4, 1862. Within the orders were given the directions by which batteries were to be disbanded and consolidated. Though batteries from a few Confederate states were involved, Virginia batteries were the most affected. While most of the batteries had served gallantly or had at least one fleeting moment of service under fire, several batteries fell under the disbanding orders. Out of the number of Virginia batteries disbanded, the Henrico Artillery was included and subsequently disbanded. The men and equipment were reassigned to other batteries.

Peninsula Artillery (Co. F/G, 1st Va. Light Artillery)

Originally organized as the Peninsula Artillery, this company was formed under the command of Captain Joseph B. Cosnahan in York County on May 18, 1861. Originally designated as Co. I, 32nd Virginia Infantry, the company, upon reorganization was assigned as Co. F or G of the 1st Regt. Va. Arty. Captain William B. Jones later succeeded Cosnahan as battery commander.

After valuable service on several battlefields, the Peninsula Artillery was caught in a reorganization of the artillery by the late summer and early fall of 1862. It was at this time when the Army of Northern Virginia's desperate need for a formal reorganization of artillery was finally properly addressed. In a report by General William Nelson Pendleton dated October 2, 1862, the army's chief of artillery, then near Winchester, Virginia, presented the numerous problems in the service of the "long arm." In his overall evaluation of the batteries, the "reduced below the service standard" was the common reason for disbanding several of the batteries. Pendleton's suggestion led to Army of Northern Virginia Special Orders Number 209 dated October 4, 1862. Within the orders were given the directions by which batteries were to be disbanded and consolidated. Though batteries from a few Confederate states were involved, Virginia batteries were the most affected. While most of the batteries had served gallantly or had at least one fleeting moment of service under fire, several batteries fell under the disbanding orders. Out of the number of Virginia batteries disbanded, the Peninsula Artillery was included and subsequently disbanded. The men and equipment were reassigned to other batteries in the 1st Regt.

Williamsburg/Lee Artillery (Co. E/F, 1st Va. Light Artillery)

Originally organized as Co. G, 32nd Virginia Infantry, this company was organized on May 13, 1861 in James City County. Reorganized on May 10, 1862, the company was later redesignated for artillery service. Later served as Company E or F of the 1st Regt. Va. Arty. Captains included William Robertson Garrett and John Archer Coke.

After valuable service on several battlefields, the Lee/Williamsburg Artillery was caught in a reorganization of the artillery by the late summer and early fall of 1862. It was at this time when the Army of Northern Virginia's desperate need for a formal reorganization of artillery was finally properly addressed. In a report by General William Nelson Pendleton dated October 2, 1862, the army's chief of artillery, then near Winchester, Virginia, presented the numerous problems in the service of the "long arm." In his overall evaluation of the batteries, the "reduced below the service standard" was the common reason for disbanding several of the batteries. Pendleton's suggestion led to Army of Northern Virginia Special Orders Number 209 dated October 4, 1862. Within the orders were given the directions by which batteries were to be disbanded and consolidated. Though batteries from a few Confederate states were involved, Virginia batteries were the most affected. While most of the batteries had served gallantly or had at least one fleeting moment of service under fire, several batteries fell under the disbanding orders. Out of the number of Virginia batteries disbanded, the Lee/Williamsburg Artillery was included and subsequently disbanded. The men and equipment were reassigned to other batteries.

Wise Artillery

Originally organized as the Wise Artillery, this company was formed under the command of Captain Ephriam G. Alburtis in Martinsburg, Berkeley County on November 15, 1859. Serving through the events following the John Brown raid, the battery was reenlisted for the war on April 19, 1861. Mustered into service, the company served as Co. B, 1st (Pendleton's) Regt. Va. Lt. Arty. A particular notable in the early service of the battery was a young Lieutenant John Pelham, who later went on to even greater fame. With Alburtis resignation on January 25, 1862, James S. Brown was elected to captain on February 1, 1862. The battery served with distinction from 1st Manassas to Sharpsburg.

After valuable service on several battlefields, the Wise Artillery was caught in a reorganization of the artillery by the late summer and early fall of 1862. It was at this time when the Army of Northern Virginia's desperate need for a formal reorganization of artillery was finally properly addressed. In a report by General William Nelson Pendleton dated October 2, 1862, the army's chief of artillery, then near Winchester, Virginia, presented the numerous problems in the service of the "long arm." In his overall evaluation of the batteries, the "reduced below the service standard" was the common reason for disbanding several of the batteries. Pendleton's suggestion led to Army of Northern Virginia Special Orders Number 209 dated October 4, 1862. Within the orders were given the directions by which batteries were to be disbanded and consolidated. Though batteries from a few Confederate states were involved, Virginia batteries were the most affected. While most of the batteries had served gallantly or had at least one fleeting moment of service under fire, several batteries fell under the disbanding orders. Out of the number of Virginia batteries disbanded, the Wise Artillery was included and subsequently disbanded. The men and equipment were reassigned to Captain O.B. Taylor's battery.

Middlesex Artillery

The Middlesex Artillery was organized on May 24, 1861 at Urbanna Virginia by Captain William C. Fleet. The battery was first assigned as Company K (1st) of the 47th Virginia Infantry. On August 16, 1861, the Adjutant and Inspector General's office issued Special Orders No. 252 that transferred this company to a separate battalion being formed by Major William N. Ward. It subsequently served as Company B, 55th Virginia Infantry until April 26, 1862 when it was detached from that unit and became an independent artillery battery. Upon separation from the 55th Infantry, Fleet's Battery became part of Lindsay Walker's Artillery Battalion.

The only extant muster roll for this battery while an independent organization was prepared on April 30, 1862. Fleet's company was located at Camp Barton, in Spotsylvania County at the time. The record of events notes that the company had moved six times, over 125 miles during the preceding two month period. The Middlesex Artillery participated in the battle of Cedar Mountain in August 1862 under the command of the famous Stonewall Jackson. It also fought at Sharpsburg, Maryland on September 17, 1862.

The Middlesex Artillery, under strength, and its officers arrested for insubordination, was consolidated with the Ashland Artillery and with Captain Valentine J. Clutter's Jackson Flying Artillery under the provision of Special Orders No. 209, Headquarters, Army of Northern Virginia, dated October 4, 1862.

Hanover Light Artillery

Originally organized as the Hanover or Hanover Light Artillery, this company was formed under the command of Captain William Nelson at Hanover Junction (now Doswell) in April, 1861. Enrolled for state service at Richmond on May 21, the company was reorganized April 30, 1862. Captain William Nelson being promoted, Captain George Washington Nelson now held command.

After valuable service on several battlefields, the Hanover Artillery was caught in a reorganization of the artillery by the late summer and early fall of 1862. It was at this time when the Army of Northern Virginia's desperate need for a formal reorganization of artillery was finally properly addressed. In a report by General William Nelson Pendleton dated October 2, 1862, the army's chief of artillery, then near Winchester, Virginia, presented the numerous problems in the service of the "long arm." In his overall evaluation of the batteries, the "reduced below the service standard" was the common reason for disbanding several of the batteries. Pendleton's suggestion led to Army of Northern Virginia Special Orders Number 209 dated October 4, 1862. Within the orders were given the directions by which batteries were to be disbanded and consolidated. Though batteries from a few Confederate states were involved, Virginia batteries were the most affected. While most of the batteries had served gallantly or had at least one fleeting moment of service under fire, several batteries fell under the disbanding orders. Out of the number of Virginia batteries disbanded, the Hanover Artillery was included and subsequently disbanded. The men and equipment were reassigned to the Amherst and Ashland Artillery batteries.

Magruder Light Artillery

Originally organized as the Magruder Light Artillery, this company was formed under the command of Captain Thomas Jefferson Page, Jr. in Richmond on March 31, 1862.

After valuable service on several battlefields, the Magruder Light Artillery was caught in a reorganization of the artillery by the late summer and early fall of 1862. It was at this time when the Army of Northern Virginia's desperate need for a formal reorganization of artillery was finally properly addressed. In a report by General William Nelson Pendleton dated October 2, 1862, the army's chief of artillery, then near Winchester, Virginia, presented the numerous problems in the service of the "long arm." In his overall evaluation of the batteries, the "reduced below the service standard" was the common reason for disbanding several of the batteries. Pendleton's suggestion led to Army of Northern Virginia Special Orders Number 209 dated October 4, 1862. Within the orders were given the directions by which batteries were to be disbanded and consolidated. Though batteries from a few Confederate states were involved, Virginia batteries were the most affected. While most of the batteries had served gallantly or had at least one fleeting moment of service under fire, several batteries fell under the disbanding orders. Out of the number of Virginia batteries disbanded, the Magruder Light Artillery was included and subsequently disbanded. The men and equipment were reassigned to Tyler C. Jordan's Bedford Light Artillery.

Manchester Artillery

Having served as a constant supporting element of the Courtney Artillery, the Manchester Artillery, while experiencing field service, was never really able to lay claim to its own history. Though not initially caught up in the reorganization of the artillery in the late summer and early fall of 1862, the battery was always under-strength. Prior to the operations of 1863, the Manchester Artillery was finally consolidated with the Courtney Artillery.

Campbell/Long Island Artillery

Originally organized as the Long Island or Long Island Light Artillery, this company was formed under the command of Captain Patrick H. Clark in Campbell County on March 15, 1862. Mustered into service on march 20, the company was assigned as Co. E of Fitzgerald's 1st Regt. C.S. Light Arty, which was never organized. Later serving in Jones' 4th Bn. Reserve Arty., the battery distinguished itself in various actions. Following the death of Captain Clark in July, 1862, Captain Abram Wimbish held command.

After valuable service on several battlefields, the Long Island Artillery was caught in a reorganization of the artillery by the late summer and early fall of 1862. It was at this time when the Army of Northern Virginia's desperate need for a formal reorganization of artillery was finally properly addressed. In a report by General William Nelson Pendleton dated October 2, 1862, the army's chief of artillery, then near Winchester, Virginia, presented the numerous problems in the service of the "long arm." In his overall evaluation of the batteries, the "reduced below the service standard" was the common reason for disbanding several of the batteries. Pendleton's suggestion led to Army of Northern Virginia Special Orders Number 209 dated October 4, 1862. Within the orders were given the directions by which batteries were to be disbanded and consolidated. Though batteries from a few Confederate states were involved, Virginia batteries were the most affected. While most of the batteries had served gallantly or had at least one fleeting moment of service under fire, several batteries fell under the disbanding orders. Out of the number of Virginia batteries disbanded, the Long Island Artillery was included and subsequently disbanded. The men and equipment were reassigned to the Orange and Morris Artillery batteries.

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