Brooks (South Carolina) Artillery

Confederate Regiments & Batteries * South Carolina

“Rhett’s Battery”, “Fickling’s Company”

1862
Spring Organized in the Charleston area from Company K of the 2nd South Carolina Infantry Regiment under the command of Captain Andrew B. Rhett.
June-July Assigned to Jones’s Battalion, Reserve Artillery, Army of Northern Virginia
June 25-July 1
Seven Days Battles

The battery lost 2 men killed and 17 wounded.
June 26
Mechanicsville
June 27
Beaver Dam Creek
June 30
White Oak Swamp
August-July Assigned to Lee’s-Alexander’s Battalion, Reserve Artillery, Army of Northern Virginia
August 28-30
2nd Battle of Manassas (Bull Run)
September 15 Crossed the Antietam about 8 A.M. and took position on the high ground overlooking the creek to the east and south of Sharpsburg. At 1 P.M. engaged the long-range guns of the enemy along the heights on the east bank of Antietam Creek.
September 16 During the night the battery was moved to the left, to a position near the Dunkard Church.
September 17
Battle of Sharpsburg (Antietam)

The battery was commanded by Lieutenant William Elliott. It was equipped with two 10 pounder Parrott Rifles and two 12 pounder Howitzers.

At daybreak of the 17th the battery went into position on the ridge east of the Dunkard Church. At about 7 A.M., it was withdrawn and the Madison Artillery took its place. About 8:15 A.M., the batteries of the Reserve Artillery were withdrawn to a position west of the Hagerstown road and about 600 yards south of the Dunkard Church. At 9 A.M., they were withdrawn to Sharpsburg.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.
October 17 The battery was armed with two 6 pounder Smoothbores, one 12 pounder Napoleon, and one 12 pounder Howitzer.
December 13
Battle of Fredericksburg

The battery was stationed on Lee’s Hill.
1863
May 1-4
Battle of Chancellorsville
July-September Assigned to Alexander’s Battalion, Artillery, 1st Corps, Army of Northern Virginia
July 1-3
Battle of Gettysburg

The battery brought 71 men to Gettysburg and lost seven men killed and 29 wounded. Two caissons were destroyed, 2 Howitzers dismounted and 25 battery horses were killed. A marker for the battery is at Gettysburg on West Confederate Avenue.

From the marker for the battery:

Alexander’s Battalion Rhett’s Battery
The Brooks Artillery
Four 12 Pounder Howitzers

July 2. Took position here at 4 P. M. and opened fire. When the charge was made on the Peach Orchard moved to a point near there and with other batteries supported the infantry in its further advance. Assisted in harassing the retiring Union forces causing them to abandon temporarily several guns. Continued firing until night and aided in preventing pursuit of the Confederate advanced lines when they fell back shortly before dark.

July 3. In position at dawn in the artillery line on the ridge running north from the Peach Orchard and on duty there all day. Took part in the cannonade preceding Longstreet’s assault and retired from the front after night.

July 4. Remained near here until 4 P. M. and then withdrew to Marsh Creek on the Fairfield Road.

Losses heavy but not reported in detail
September-November Assigned to Alexander’s Battalion, Artillery, Longstreet’s Corps, Army of Tennessee
September 19-20
Battle of Chickamauga

The battery was not engaged.
September-November
Siege of Chattanooga
November-April Assigned to Alexander’s-Huger’s Battalion, Artillery, Department of East Tennessee
November-December
Siege of Knoxville
April Returned to Virginia ans assigned to Huger’s Battalion, Artillery, 1st Corps, Army of Northern Virginia
May 5-6
Battle of the Wilderness

The battery was commanded by Lieutenant Frank Huger and was equipped with four 12 pounder Howitzers.
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
1865
April 9
Appomattox Court House

The Brooks Artillery surrendered 3 officers and 41 men.