Richmond (Virginia) Thomas Artillery

Confederate Regiments & Batteries * Virginia

1861
May 10 The Richmond (Virginia) Thomas Artillery was organized at Richmond for one year’s service under the command Captain Philip Beverly Stanard, First Lieutenant Charles H. Thornton, and Second Lieutenant Edgar Macon, and Third Lieutenant Edward J. Anderson. The battery was equipped with four 6-pounder Smoothbores.
July 1 Accepted for Confederate service.
July 10-12 Moved via the Virginia Central Railroad and the Orange & Alexander Railroad, arriving at Manassas Junction, then continued by the Manassas Gap Railroad to Strasburg, where it detrined and marched to Winchester.
July 15 Assigned to Brigadier General E. Kirby Smith’s Fifth Brigade, Army of the Shenandoah. Stationed along the Martinsburg Turpike at Red Bud Run one and a half miles north of Winchester.
July 18-20 Began the march to Manassas at 3 p.m., arriving at Berry’s Ferry on the Shenandoah River at midnight. Crossed the river at 6 a.m. and moved via Ashby’s Gap to Piedmont Station, arriving at 1 p.m. Continued via Salem and White Plains and accompanied by the 1st Rockbridge Artillery and the Wise Artillery. Arrived at Manassas Junction at 2 p.m. and stationed in the woods at Mitchell’s Ford.
July 21

Battle of Manassas (Bull Run)

Ordered to Henry Hill in the afternoon to support Brigadier General Jackson. Second Lieutenant Edgar Macon was killed at this time. The battery was ordered to withdraw to a hill near McLean’s Ford.

The battery is referenced on a trailside marker on the Manassas battlefield:

“The ground occupied by our guns was an open space just at the eastern verge of the plateau. Here thirteen pieces, mostly 6-pounders, were maintained in action alternating to some extent with each other, and taking part as needed, all from the onset displaying that marvelous capacity of our people as artillerists which has made them, it would appear, at once the terror and the admiration of the enemy.”
-Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard
August 2 Third Lieutenant E. J. Anderson was appointed second lieutenant.
August 4-10 Stationed at the F. Lewis farm southwest of Lewis’ Ford.
August 5-17 Moved to Broad Run, northeast of Bristoe Station.
September 17 Moved to Little Rocky Run, one & a half miles east of Centreville.
October 16 Moved to Suspension Bridge, on Cub Run, one mile west of Centreville.
October 22 Assigned to 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, Potomac District, Department of Northern Virginia.
1862
June Assigned to Wilcox’s Brigade, Longstreet’s Division, Longstreet’s Command, Army of Northern Virginia.
June 25-July 1

Seven Days Battles
June 26

Battle of Gaines’ Mill
June 30

Battle of Frayser’s Farm
July 30 Lieutenant Anderson was promoted to captain.
August-September Assigned to Wilcox’s Brigade, Wilcox’s Division, Longstreet’s Command, Army of Northern Virginia.
August 21 Skirmish at Kelly’s Ford
September Assigned to Reserve Artillery, Army of Northern Virginia.
October 4 The battery was disbanded and the men assigned to the Richmond Hampden Artillery.