• 1st Company – Captain Thomas L. Rosser
• 2nd Company – Captain John B. Richardson
• 3rd Company – Captain Merritt B. Miller
• 4th Company – Captain Benjamin Eschleman

The battalion also consisted of a 12 piece brass band, their French cook Edouard, cooks and servants.

First Battle of Manassas (Bull Run)

The Washington Artillery was commanded by Colonel James B. Walton.

1st Company

Commanded by Captain Thomas L. Rosser. Armed with four 12 pounder Howitzers; Assigned to Ewell’s Secpnd Brigade.

2nd Company

Commanded by Captain John B. Richardson. Armed with two 6 pounder guns M1841. Assigned to Ewell’s Second Brigade

3rd Company

Commanded by Captain Merrit B. Miller. Armed with one 6 pounder Rifle and one 6 pounder gun M1841; The Second Section under Lieutenant John J. Garnett was assigned to Longstreet’s Fourth Brigade.

4th Company

Commanded by Captain Benjamin Eschleman until he was wounded, when Lieutenant Charles W. Squires took command. Armed with three 6 pounder guns, M1841, and two 6 pounder Rifles under Lieutenant J. B. Richardson. Assigned to Early’s Sixth Brigade.

Battle of Mechanicsville

Second Battle of Manassas

Battle of Sharpsburg (Antietam)

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 to the Washington Artillery 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 to the Washington Artillery 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 At 1 P.M., the 2d Company, Richardson, having a gun disabled, was withdrawn to Sharpsburg from the high ground commanding the Burnside Bridge.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.

1st Company

Commanded by Captain C.W. Squires. Equipped with two 3 inch Ordnance Rifles and two 10 pounder Parrotts. Casualties: 1 man killed and 12 wounded.

2nd Company

Captain John B. Richardson, Equipped with two Napoleons and two 12 ounder Howitzers. Casualties: 1 man killed and 5 wounded

3rd Company

Captain M. B. Miller. Equipped with 4 Napoleons. Casualties: 2 men killed, 10 wounded, and 2 missing. The company also had a caisson spectacularly explode after a direct hit.

The 3rd Company defended the center of Lee’s line after the Confederate position in the Sunken Lane was overrun at about midday. General Longstreet and his staff helped man a gun in this battery.

4th Company

Captain B. F. Eshleman. Equipped with two 6 pounder guns and two 12 pounder howitzers.

From Colonel Walton’s official report for Sharpsburg:

“At 9.15 a.m. Captain Miller’s battery, of four Napoleons, was ordered from its original position to a point to the left of the main road and near our center. Here Captain Miller was so fortunate as to meet with General Longstreet, who assigned him a position. He immediately opened upon the enemy’s infantry, which were advancing upon our left and front. Here he suffered considerably from the fire of the enemy’s sharpshooters, losing two of his gunners and several of his cannoneers, wounded, when, ascertaining that the enemy was beyond effective range, he was ordered by General Longstreet to cease firing and go under cover. Here he remained twenty minutes, when, the enemy again advancing, he ordered his battery again into position. Lieutenant Hero having been wounded and Lieutenant McElroy having been left to watch the movements of the enemy on the right, Captain Miller found himself the only officer with his company, and, having barely men enough left to work a section effectively, he opened upon the enemy with two pieces with splendid effect. “

“After an action of half an hour, he removed his section to a more advantageous position 100 yards to the front and right, placing the remaining section under Sergeant Ellis, directing him to take it completely under cover. He then continued the action until the ammunition was nearly exhausted, when Sergeant Ellis brought up one of the remaining caissons. The enemy had made two determined attempts to force our line, and had been twice signally repulsed. They were now advancing the third time, and were within canister range, when Sergeant Ellis, who had succeeded in rallying some infantry to his assistance, brought one of the guns of his section into action on Miller’s left, and gave them canister, with terrible effect. The three guns succeeded in checking the enemy’s advance, and remained in action until the ammunition was exhausted, when they were retired to be refilled. After procuring the required ammunition, Captain Miller was returning to his former position, when he was directed by General Lee to an elevated and commanding position on the right and rear of the town, where General A. P. Hill had but just begun his attack. Here I placed him in charge of the guns that had been ordered to this position, leaving Lieutenant McElroy to command his section, and he continued the fight until its close at nightfall.”

“Too much praise cannot be bestowed on Captain Miller for his stubborn defense of the center for several hours; to Lieutenants Hero and McElroy and Sergeants Ellis, Bier (chief artificer), and Dempsey (artificer), for their gallantry. “

“This part of the action was under the immediate eye of General Longstreet, commanding, and his staff, who, when Captain Miller’s cannoneers were exhausted, dismounted and assisted the working of the guns. Captain Miller was compelled, owing to his loss of horses, to leave one caisson on the field. He endeavored to bring it off the next day, but it was deemed unadvisable, it being in range of the enemy’s sharpshooters, and it was abandoned and subsequently destroyed.”

Battle of Fredericksburg

• 1st Company was commanded by Captain Charles W. Squires
• 2nd Company was commanded by Captain John B. Richardson
• The 3rd Company was commanded by Captain Merritt B. Miller
• the 4th Company was commanded by Captain Benjamin F. Eshleman

The battalion lost 3 men killed and 22 wounded.

Battle of Chancellorsville

• 1st Company – Captain Charles Squires was captured. He would be exchanged and returned to service, but was promoted to major and served in the Western Theater for the rest of the war. Lieutenant Charles H. C. Brown took command of the 1st Company.
• 2nd Companny – Commanded by Captain John B. Richardson
• 3rd Company – Commanded by Captain Merritt B. Miller
• 4th Company – Commanded by Captain Joseph Norcom

Battle of Gettysburg

The Washington Artillery was commanded at Gettysburg by Major Benjamin Franklin Eshleman. It brought 329 men to the field and lost 60 men killed, wounded or missing.

1st Company

The company was commanded by Captain Charles W. Squires. It was equipped with just one Napoleon. Its marker is located on West Confederate Avenue, next to the State of Louisiana monument.

From the War Department marker at Gettysburg for the 1st Company:

July 3. Having but one gun it co-operated all day with Miller’s Battery. Advanced before daylight into position about 100 yards north of the Peach Orchard assisted in repelling skirmishers and took part in the cannonade preceding Longstreet’s assault. Moved several hundred yards to the left after the repulse of that assault to aid in resisting a countercharge if attempted. Withdrew soon afterward to the rear.

July 4. At 9 A. M. marched with the Battalion to Cashtown to reinforce the cavalry escorting the wagon train.
Losses not reported in detail.

2nd Company

The company was commanded by Captain John B. Richardson. It was equipped with two Napoleons and one 12-pounder Howitzer. Its marker is located along West Confederate Avenue.

From the War Department marker at Gettysburg for the 2nd Company:

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.
Losses not reported in detail.

3rd Company

The company was commanded by Captain Merritt B. Miller. It was equipped with three Napoleons. Its marker is located along West Confederate Avenue.

From the War Department marker at Gettysburg for the 3rd Company:

July 3. Advanced before daylight into position about 100 yards north of the Peach Orchard. This battery fired the signal guns for the cannonade preceding Longstreet’s assault took part therein and supported the charge of the infantry by advancing 450 yards and keeping up a vigorous fire. After the repulse of the assault moved to the left and west of the Emmitsburg Road ready to aid in resisting a countercharge if attempted. From loss of horses but one gun could then be used. The others were sent to the rear and that gun was withdrawn after dark.

July 4. At 9 A. M. marched with the Battalion to Cashtown to reinforce the cavalry escorting the wagon train.
Losses heavy but not reported in detail.

4th Company

The battery was commanded by Captain Joseph Norcom, who was wounded on July 3. It was equipped with two Napoleons and one 12-pounder Howitzer. Its marker is located along West Confederate Avenue.

From the War Department marker at Gettysburg for the 4th Company:

July 3. The Napoleons advanced before daylight into position 150 yards north of Peach Orchard near the Emmitsburg Road but their fire in the forenoon was desultory. Took active part in the cannonade preceding Longstreet’s assault and one of the guns supported the infantry attack by pushing forward 450 yards and keeping up a vigorous fire. After the assault was repulsed the Napoleons were moved several hundred yards to the left but soon disabled and sent to the rear. The Howitzer was brought forward and did effective service until withdrawn after dark.

July 4. At 9 A. M. marched with the Battalion to Cashtown to reinforce the cavalry guarding the wagon train.
Losses not reported in detail.

Battle of Cold Harbor

• The 1st Company was commanded by Captain Edward Owen
• The 2nd Company was commanded by Captain John B. Richardson.
• The 3rd Company was commanded by Captain Andrew Hero.
• The 4th Company was commanded by

Final Assault on Petersburg

Detatchments from the 3rd Company were involved in the defense of Fort Gregg and Fort Whitworth.

Appomattox Station

Most of the 1st, 3rd and 4th Companies were captured with Walker’s artillery column. Captain Richardson refused to surrender the 2nd Company. He buried his four Napoleons and disbanded the battery, making his way to Johnson’s Army in North Carolina.

Appomattox Court House

• 1st Company – Only 5 men surrendered with Lee’s army.
• 2nd Company – Only eight men surrendered
• 3rd Company – Only 12 men surrendered
• 4th Company  – Only 13 men surrendered