Jeff Davis (Alabama) Artillery

Confederate Regiments & Batteries * Alabama

There is a War Department marker for the Jeff Davis Artillery on the Gettysburg battlefield.

1861
May Organized at Selma under Captain Joseph T. Montgomery.
April Sent to Virginia and attached to Early’s Brigade.
July 27 Mustered into Confederate service.
1862
January Attached to Early’s Brigade, Van Dorn’s Division, Potomac District, Department of Northern Virginia.
March Attached to Early’s Brigade, D.H. Hill’s Division, Army of Northern Virginia.
April-May
Siege of Yorktown

The battery mustered 110 men.
May 31-June 1
Battle of Seven Pines

The battery of six pieces was commanded by Captain Bondurant. It lost one man killed and two wounded.
June 26
Mechanicsville (Beaver Dam Creek)

The battery lost 3 men killed and 14 wounded.
June 27 – 28
First Battle of Cold Harbor, or Gaines’ Mill

The battery lost 3 killed and 10 wounded
July 1
Battle of Malvern Hill
July Assigned to Artillery Battalion, D.H. Hill’s Division, Army of Northern Virginia.
August 20 Equipped with two 12-pounder Howitzers and two 3″ Rifles.
September Assigned to Artillery Battalion, D.H. Hill’s Division, Jackson’s Command, Army of Northern Virginia.
September 15
Battle of Boonesboro (South Mountain)
September 17
Battle of Sharpsburg (Antietam)

The battery was commanded by Captain Bondurant and consisted of two 3-inch Ordnance Rifles and two 12 pounder Howitzers
October 2 Report from General Pendleton, “Captain Bondurant (Jeff Davis Artillery), an admirable battery that has rendered eminent service, but he is its life; is now absent–sick.”
November 8 Reported in D.H. Hill’s Division with two 3″ Ordnance Rifles and two 12-pound howitzers
December 13
Battle of Fredericksburg

The battery lost one killed and three wounded
1863
May 1-4
Battle of Chancellorsville

The battery was part of Carter’s Artillery Division of D.H. Hill’s Division (under the command of Robert Rodes).
June 1 Attached to Carter’s Artillery Battalion of Rodes’ Division of the Second Corps, Army of Northern Virginia.
July 1-3
Battle of Gettysburg

The battery was commanded by Captain William J. Reese. The battery brought 84 men and four 3 inch Rifles  to the field. It lost 8 men missing.

From the marker:

July 1. Was placed in position near here in support of Dole’s Brigade against two divisions of the Eleventh Corps which were massing on his front and left flank. It rendered effective service not only in protecting Dole’s flank but also aided in dislodging the Union infantry and artillery from their position in the fields north of the town.

July 2. Remained in Reserve.

July 3. In position on Seminary Ridge near the railroad cut and took part in the cannonade preceding Longstreet’s assault.

July 4. After nightfall began the march to Hagerstown.

Ammunition expended 229 rounds.
September 22
Orange Court House
October 10 -21
Bristoe Campaign
October 26
Bealeton

The battery lost two men wounded
November 27 – December 2
Mine Run Campaign
1864
January Assigned to Carter’s Battalion, 2nd Corps Artillery
May 5-7
Battle of the Wilderness
May 8-18
Battle of Spotsylvania Court House

The battery lost three guns and half its men captured, including its commander, Captain William J. Reese, and Lieutenant D. E. Bates. One 3″ rifle still remained with the battery. After the battle the surviving men were transferred to the Orange Artillery.
May 23-26
Battle of North Anna
June 1-3
Battle of Cold Harbor
June Attached to Page’s Battalion, Artillery, Army of the Valley District.
October 19
Battle of Cedar Creek
1865
February Attached to Cutshaw’s Battalion, Second Corps Artillery, Army of Northern Virginia.
March At Fort Clifton, reported as having 87 men present
April 9
Appomattox Court House

The Jeff Davis Artillery surrendered 1 officer and 26 men