Powhatan (Virginia) Artillery

Confederate Regiments & Batteries * Virginia

1861
July 16 The Powhatan (Virginia) Artillery was organized in Powhatan County for one year’s service under the command of Captain Willis Jefferson Dance.
November Assigned to Reserve Artillery, Potomac District, Department of Northern Virginia
1862
April-June Assigned to Reserve Artillery, Army of Northern Virginia
April-May
Siege of Yorktown
June-February Assigned to Brown’s Battalion, Reserve Artillery, Army of Northern Virginia
June 25-July 1
Seven Days Battles
September 17
Battle of Sharpsburg (Antietam)

The battery was commanded at Antietam by Captain Dance. It was equipped with one 3″ Ordnance Rifle and one 6 pounder gun. The battery was posted to guard Boteler’s Ford on the Virginia side of the Potomac River near Shepherdstown and was not on the field at Antietam.
December 13
Battle of Fredericksburg
1863
February-July Assigned to Brown’s Battalion, Reserve Artillery, 2nd Corps, Army of Northern Virginia
May 1-4
Battle of Chancellorsville
July 1-3
Battle of Gettysburg

The battery was commanded at the Battle of Gettysburg by Lieutenant John Cunningham while Captain Dance temporarily commanded the battalion. It brought 78 men to the field and was equipped with four 3″ Ordnance Rifles.

From the War Department marker for the battery on Seminary Avenue:

July 1. Reached the field in evening too late to take part in the battle.
July 2. Early in morning took position here. Opened fire about 4 P M. upon the batteries on Cemetery Hill and continued firing until dark.
July 3. Remained here all day. Took part in the great cannonade preceding Longstreet’s final assault. At night withdrew to camp in rear.
July 4. After nightfall began the march to Hagerstown.
Ammunition expended 308 rounds.
Losses not reported in detail.
July Brown’s Battalion was assigned to the 2nd Corps Artillery, Army of Northern Virginia, when most of Longstreet’s Corps was transferred to the Western Theater.
October
Bristoe Campaign
November-December
Mine Run Campaign

Captain Dance temporariy commanded the battalion during the campaign.
1864
May 5-6
Battle of the Widerness
May 8-21
Battle of Spotsylvania Court House

The battery helped plug the gap after the Federal attack broke through the Confederate line.
May 23-26
Battle of North Anna
June 1-3
Battle of Cold Harbor
June
Siege of Petersburg

Assigned to Hardaway’s Battalion, 1st Corps Artillery, Army of Northern Virginia
September 29
Chaffin’s Farm

Captain Dance was wounded in the shoulder while again in temporary command of the battalion. He would leave the battery to recover for the rest of the war. Lieutenant Henry C. Carter took command of the battery.
September 29-30
Fort Gilmer
1865
March Assigned to Hardaway’s Battalion, 2nd Corps Artillery, Army of Northern Virginia
April 6
Sayler’s Creek

The battery was captured or dispersed.
April 9
Appomattox Court House

Only one man surrendered with Lee’s army.