Battle of Manassas (Bull Run)

Commanded by Captain Merritt B. Miller. Assigned to Ewell’s Second Brigade.

Battle of Mechanicsville

Rappahannock Station

Second Battle of Manassas

Battle of Sharpsburg (Antietam)

The battery was commanded at Sharpsburg by Captain John B. Richardson. It was equipped with two Napoleons and two 12-pounder Howitzers. The battery lost 1 man killed and 5 men wounded.

Two War Department markers for the Washington Artillery are on the Antietam battlefield next to the National Cemetery along Boonsboro Pike.

From the first marker at Antietam:

September 15-16, 1862

The Washington Artillery crossed the Antietam about 9 a.m. of the 15th and took position on the high ground overlooking the creek to the east and south of Sharpsburg. The left wing, composed of the 1st and 3rd Companies, rested on the Boonsboro Pike, on ground now occupied by the National Cemetery; the right, composed of the 2nd and 4th Companies, was posted on the bluffs commanding th approaches to the Burnside Bridge. During the afternoon of the 15th and the morning of the 16th it became engaged with the enemy’s heavy batteries on the opposite side of Antietam Creek.

From the second marker at Antietam:

September 17, 1862

During the forenoon the Washington Artillery was engaged with the enemy’s heavy Batteries on the opposite side of Antietam Creek. At 9:15 the 3d Company, Miller, was sent to Piper’s Orchard and engaged the enemy in the Bloody Lane. At noon the 4th Company, Eshleman, was moved farther to the right to guard the fords below the Burnside Bridge. At 1 P.M., the 2d Company, Richardson, having a gun disabled, was withdrawn to Sharpsburg from the high ground commanding the Burnside Bridge. Between 2 and 3 P.M., upon the advance of the enemy, the 1st Company, Squires, was withdrawn from the Cemetery position, and, joined by the 2d Company which was in the town and by the 3d Company which had returned from the Bloody Lane, moved to the Harpers Ferry Road to assist Toombs’ Brigade in checking the advance of the Ninth Corps.

Battle of Fredericksburg

The battery was commanded by Captain John B. Richardson

Battle of Chancellorsville

The battery was commanded by Captain John B. Richardson.

Battle of Gettysburg

The battery was commanded by Captain John B. Richardson. It was equipped with two Napoleons and one 12-pounder Howitzer.

From the War Department marker on the Gettysburg battlefield along West Confederate Avenue:

July 3. The Napoleons took position before daylight north of the Peach Orchard but moved at dawn further northward and West of Emmitsburg Road. A Union 3 inch rifle left the day before between the lines was brought in under a heavy fire of skirmishers and served with this Battery which took part in the cannonade preceding Longstreet’s assault. After the repulse of that assault was joined by the Howitzer and made preparations to assist in repelling a countercharge if attempted. Withdrew from the front after dark.

July 4. At 9 A. M. marched with the Battalion to Cashtown to reinforce the Cavalry escorting the wagon train.

Battle of Cold Harbor

The battery was commanded by Captain John B. Richardson.

Final Assault on Petersburg

Appomattox Station

Most of the battery was captured with Walker’s artillery column.

Appomattox Court House

Captain John B. Richardson refused to surrender the battery. He buried his guns, four Napoleons, disbanded the battery, and escaped the encirclement to join Jonson’s army in North Carolina. Only eight men surrendered with Lee’s army.