The Richmond Fayette, Hampden, Thomas, and Blount's Lynchburg Artillery

The Richmond Fayette, Hampden, Thomas, and Blount's Lynchburg Artillery
by Robert H. Moore, II

(Published by H. E. Howard, Inc., 1991)
178 pages including maps, photographs, rosters, and bibliography
ISBN 1-56190-018-4

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

About the Book:

Three of the batteries that made up the 38th Battalion Virginia Light Artillery were the Richmond Fayette, Hampden and Blount’s Lynchburg Artillery. Another battery, the Thomas Artillery, served with distinction at First Manassas, Richmond and Second Manassas but was consolidated with the Hampden Artillery after having sustained heavy losses throughout its brief but exciting term of service.

The Fayette, Hampden and Lynchburg batteries each had different areas of operations before joined together in Dearing’s Battalion. Among the early battle honors were included First Manassas, Jackson’s Valley Campaign, the Peninsula, Richmond and Second Manassas.

Following reorganization as a battalion in November 1862, the battalion saw service at Fredericksburg and began serving under Gen. George Pickett’s Division during the Suffolk Campaign. Under the incredible leadership of Major Dearing, the battalion became a formidable arm of Lee’s Long Arm. From Suffolk, the organization, now designated the 38th Battalion, followed Pickett to Gettysburg and into North Carolina at the Second Battle of New Bern. Later attached to Gen. Robert Hoke’s Division, the battalion fought at Plymouth, Drewry’s Bluff, Bermuda Hundred, Cold Harbor, and in the nine months of trench warfare at Petersburg. After participation in the offensive against Ft. Stedman, the battalion joined Lee’s retreating columns and was cut off from the army near Appomattox. Though some of the men of the battalion surrendered with Lee, the majority of the 38th continued on to Lynchburg where they were disbanded.

Richmond Fayette Artillery

Organized initially as the "Richmond Light Artillery" on May 3, 1821, this company was later renamed in July, 1824 to the "Richmond Fayette Artillery" in honor of the Marquis de La Fayette's visit to the United States. Early captains included Robert Nimmo, Charles Richardson, and Henry C. Cabell, under whom the battery was organized for the war on April 25, 1861. Formerly Co. F, 1st Va. Vols., the battery had also been associated with the 1st Regt. Va. Arty as Co. I and Co. H. Early battles for the battery included the Yorktown Line and Williamsburg. Independent by the reorganization in 1862, the battery served under Capt. Cary Macon. Transferred to Major General George E. Pickett's Division, the battery began to see an upgrade in activity beginning with the Battle of Fredericksburg on December 13, 1862 in an undesignated battalion under the command of Major James Dearing. By the close of 1862 this battalion was assigned the title of the 38th Battalion Va. Lt. Artillery. From Gettysburg, the battlefields of North Carolina, Cold Harbor and Petersburg, the Richmond Fayette Artillery served with distinction. Finally, in the retreat from Petersburg, the battery, being in the vanguard of Lee's army, escaped capture at Appomattox, only to spike their guns near Bent Creek near Lynchburg, Virginia. Either near Lynchburg or Fincastle, the battery, along with the remnants of the 38th Battalion, was disbanded.

Hampden Artillery

Originally Capt. Lawrence Marye's Hampden Guard in April 1861, this company was organized at the law offices of Lawrence Marye and James Pleasants, but named for the English statesman John Hampden (1594 - 1643). Mustered into service May 11, 1861, the battery was later reorganized as Capt. William H. Caskie's Battery in April, 1862. Serving in the 1862 Shenandoah Valley Campaign and other engagements, the battery was part of Linsay Shumaker's Artillery Battalion in the latter part of 1862. As a result of the organization of the artillery of the Army of Northern Virginia, the Hampden Artillery's ranks were boosted when the men and equipment of the Thomas Artillery were reassigned to this battery after being disbanded. Finally assigned to the 38th Battalion Va. Lt. Artillery by the close of 1862, the battery continued distinguished service to the close of the war. Captain Caskie, being promoted to major, left John E. Sullivan as the final battery commander.

Blount’s Lynchburg Artillery

Originally enlisted as Capt. Henry Gray Latham's (not re-elected) Battery on April 23, 1861, this battery later came under the command of Captain James G. Dearing (later promoted to major) when reorganized on April 3, 1862. The final commanders being Captain Joseph G. Blount (promoted to major, Oct. 1864) and Captain James W. Dickerson. Some of the men from the Bedford Artillery were later transferred to this battery. The battery was later assigned to the 38th Battalion Va. Lt. Artillery by the close of 1862.

Thomas Artillery

Formed by Philip B. Stanard in May 1861, this company left Richmond in July and quickly found itself on the battlefield at 1st Manassas along with other batteries near where the immortal "Stonewall" Jackson gained his name. Moving into quarters for the winter, the battery was again an active participant in the Seven Days battles at Gaines Mill. With Longstreet's wing during the Manassas Campaign, the Thomas Artillery also saw action at Beverly Ford and 2nd Manassas. With only 29 men remaining on the rolls, the battery was forced to remain behind in Leesburg, Virginia while the rest of the army moved on Sharpsburg (Antietam), Maryland. As was the case with many other fine batteries that fall, the Thomas Artillery was disbanded on October 4 by Special Order # 209 and the men redistributed to the Hampden Artillery.

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