Confederate Regiments & Batteries * Virginia
There is a monument to the Richmond Parker Artillery on the Fredericksburg Battlefield.
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1862
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| Winter | Organized at Richmond for three years or the duration of the war under the command of Captain William W. Parker, a medical doctor who had graduated from Richmond Medical College in 1848 and had served as a lieutenant in the 15th Virginia Infantry Regiment. |
| March 14 | Mustered into Confederate Service |
| August | Assigned to Lee’s-Alexander’s Battalion, Reserve Artillery, Longstreet’s Command, Army of Northern Virginia. |
| August 28-30 |
Second Battle of Manassas (Bull Run) |
| September 17 |
Battle of Sharpsburg (Antietam)The battery was commanded by Captain Parker and was equipped with two 3 inch Ordnance Rifles and two 12-pounder Howitzers. From the first of two War Department tablets for Stephen Lee’s Reserve Artillery on the battlefield: The Reserve Artillery crossed the Antietam about 8 A.M. of the 15th and took position on the high ground overlooking the creek to the east and south of Sharpsburg… At 1 P.M. the Reserve Artillery engaged the long-range guns of the enemy along the heights on the east bank of Antietam Creek. During the night of the 15th the Reserve Artillery was moved to the left, to a position near the Dunkard Church. From the second War Department tablet for the Reserve Artillery: At daybreak of the 17th the Ashland Artillery, the Bedford Artillery, the Brooks Artillery and Parker’s Battery, went into position on the ridge east of the Dunkard Church… About 8:15 A.M., the Batteries were withdrawn to a position west of the Hagerstown road and about 600 yards south of the Dunkard Church. At 9 A.M., they were withdrawn to Sharpsburg. At 3 P.M., they formed on the high ground commanding the Boonsboro Pike and the Middle Bridge over the Antietam. |
| December 13 |
Battle of FredericksburgThe battery lost two men. |
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1863
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| May 1-5 |
Battle of ChancellorsvilleOne section of the battery was posted on Marye’s Heights when it was overrun on May 5 by the Union 5th Corps. The battery lost two cannon and 23 casualties from the section. Parker’s Battery is mentioned in a wayside marker on the battlefield. |
| July 1-4 |
Battle of GettysburgThe battery was commanded by Captain Parker and was equipped with one 10-pounder Parrott Rifle and three 3″ Rifles. It brought 90 men to the field and lost 18 casualties. From the War Department marker to the battery along West Confederate Avenue: July 2. Took position here 4 P.M. and opened fire on Peach Orchard. Joined at 5 P.M. in the infantry charge advancing to position east of Emmitsburg Road and 200 feet north of Peach Orchard continuing actively engaged until night. July 3. Remained near the same position which was on the main artillery line took part in the cannonade preceding Longstreet’s assault and aided in supporting that assault. Retired from the front after night. July 4. In position near here until 4 P.M. Then withdrew to Marsh Creek on Fairfield Road. Losses heavy but not reported in detail. |
| September | Assigned to Alexander’s Artillery Battalion, Longstreet’s Corps, Army of Tennessee |
| November |
Siege of KnoxvilleAssigned to Alexander’s Battalion, Department of East Tennessee |
| December 14 |
Bean’s Station |
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1864
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| April | Assigned to Alexander’s-Huger’s Battalion, 1st Corps Artillery, Army of Northern Virginia |
| May 5-6 |
Battle of the Wilderness |
| May 8-21 |
Battle of Spotsylvania Court House |
| May 23-26 |
Battle of North Anna |
| June 1-3 |
Battle of Cold Harbor |
| June – April |
Siege of Petersburg |
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1865
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| Winter | Captain Parker was promoted to major and Captain J.T. Brown, Jr. took over the battery. |
| April 9 |
Appomattox Court HouseOnly three men from the battery were present for the surrender. |