Madison (Mississippi) Light Artillery

Confederate Regiments & Batteries > Mississippi

The Madison Artillery lost 15 men killed, 12 men wounded and 5 men died of disease in the Civil War.

1861
April 28 Mustered 66 men into Mississippi Service at Canton, Mississippi, under Captain George Ward, First Lieutenant James Reid, and Second Lieutenant Thomas Richards.

1862
April 3 Captain Ward was authorized by Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus to enlist his company of artillery into Confederate service for the duration of the war. The officers that were elected were Junior First Lieutenant Thomas Richards,  Second Lieutenant W. Frank George, and Junior Second Lieutenant J. K. Kearney.
1863
April Moved to Suffolk, Virginia and assigned to the Department of Southern Virginia
May Assigned to Poague’s Artillery Battalion, Pender’s Division, 3rd Corps, Army of Northern Virginia.
July 1-3
Battle of Gettysburg

The battery was commanded by Captain George Ward. It had 4 officers and 87 men and was equipped with three 12-pounder Napoleons and one 12-pounder Howitzer.

From the War Department marker for the battery along West Confederate Avenue:

July 2. Late in the evening the Napoleons were placed in position about 400 yards eastward from this point.

July 3. The Napoleons participated actively in all the operations of the artillery during the day including the cannonade preceding Longstreet’s assault withdrawing afterward to a position near here. The Howitzer was kept in the rear and took no part in the battle but was held in readiness to resist any advance of the Union forces.

July 4. In the evening about dusk began the march to Hagerstown.

Losses not reported in detail.
July Assigned to Poague’s Battalion, 3rd Corps, Army of Northern Virginia.
October
Bristoe Campaign
November
Mine Run Campaign
1864
April 9 The battery was equipped with four 12-pounder Napoleons. It reported 127 men and 59 horses.
May 5-6
Battle of the Wilderness

Captain Ward was promoted to major and Lieutenant Thomas J. Richards was promoted to captain and took over the battery.
May 8-21
Battle of Spotsylvania Court House
May 23-26
Battle of North Anna

Major Ward was was killed by a cannon shot while temporarily commanding the battalion.
June 1-3
Battle of Cold Harbor

The battery was commanded by Lieutenant John W. Yeargain. It was posted in a position exposed to heavy skirmisher fire, and lost heavy casualties.
June-April
Siege of Petersburg
September The battery reported 36 men present.
December The battery manned two 8″ mortars.
1865
April 8
Appomattox Station

The battery was captured with most of Lee’s reserve artillery by Custer’s cavalry. No members of the battery were present for the surrender of Lee’s army the next day at Appomattox Court House.