Blackburn’s Ford

Withdrew to Mitchell’s Ford on Bull Run. Federal guns fired on the battery but remained out of range. The four guns of the Howitzers did not return fire.

Battle of Manassas (Bull Run)

The four guns of the battery guarded Mitchell’s Ford while the heavy fighting of the battle took place within sight further upstream. After the Federals collapsed and began their retreat to Washington Lieutenant William Palmer’s section accompanied Bonham’s Brigade to Centreville, but was not engaged. The other two sections of the battery moved to Fairfax Courthouse and to Vienna.

Battle of Williamsburg

Supported R.H. Anderson’s Brigade south of Williamsburg and in Fort Magruder, repelling a Federal attack, fighting side by side with three guns of the Richmond Fayette Artillery. The company appropriated a Federal 3″ rifle which had been abandoned during the fight.

Battle of Seven Pines

Fired across the Chickahominy at Federal forces.

Seven Days Battles

Assigned to support Griffith’s Brigade of Magruder’s Division.

Battle of Fair Oaks

Under fire but not engaged

Battle of Malvern Hill

Three pieces were engaged until using up their ammunition. A 6-pounder was hit in the muzzle by a Federal 12-pounder shot, and a number of gun carriages were damaged.

Maryland Campaign

The sections of the battery reunited, bringing two 10-pounded Parrott rifles and to 6-pounder howitzers

Siege and Capture of Harpers Ferry

Battle of Sharpsburg (Antietam)

The battery was commanded by First Lieutenant Edward S. McCarthy and attached to Barksdale’s Brigade of McLaws’ Division. It was armed with two 10-pounder Parrott Rifles and two 6-pounder guns, although the two 6-pounders were probably left behind at Leesburg. The battery spent the entire day in the lines and lost 1 man killed and 2 wounded out of 33 men engaged.

Battle of Fredericksburg

The two 10-pounder Parrott rifles of the battery were engaged shelling the Federal attack from behind the Howison House to the east of Telegraph Road. The shorter ranged 6-pounders were not engaged.

Chancellorsville Campaign

The battery was engaged the Battle of Chancellorsville and the Battle of Salem Church, losing two men killed and two wounded.

Salem Church

Battle of Gettysburg

On July 2 the battery moved into position north of the Snyder farm. The rifles opened fire around 4:00 p.m. to support Longstreet’s attack, with the shorter ranged Napoleons nearby in reserve. The rifles fired 200 rounds at the Devils Den. In turn, they were exposed to the heaviest artillery fire they had experienced, losing seven men wounded and thirteen horses killed.

On July 3 the battery was positioned well in advance of the skirmish line and drove back a Federal advance with twenty rounds. The battery then repositioned to the center of the Confederate line on Seminary Ridge for the grand barrage which would prepare for Pickett’s Charge. The barrage opened around 1:30, firing 300 rounds. A wheel was shot off one of the rifles and a caisson was abandoned when its team was killed. Two men were killed and two wounded and ten horses were lost. During the two days of the fighting the rifles fired about 600 rounds and the Napoleons 264.

From the marker on the Gettysburg battlefield:

July 2. At 3.30 P. M. placed in reserve near here. The rifled guns advanced to this position at 4 P. M. and engaged in severe artillery fight until dark. The men of the Napoleon section sometimes relieved those of the rifled section.

July 3. Advanced and formed part of the main artillery line the rifle section near Emmitsburg Road the Napoleons further to the left all hotly engaged sometimes changing positions. Retired from the front after dark.

July 4. In position near here. One Napoleon aided in checking a hostile advance. All withdrew from the field at night.

Ammunition expended about 850 rounds. One rifle was disabled.

Losses Killed 2 Wounded 8 Horses killed or disabled 25

Hagerstown

The battery took up defensive positions but was not engaged.

Battle of the Wilderness

The battery moved to Parker’s Store, then to New Hope Church. It was not engaged, as no good ground could be found to position artillery.

Battle of Spotsylvania Court House

The battery was engaged in heavy fighting. A Federal attack broke the Confederate line close to the battery’s position. It was forced back when Sergeant E.G. Steane enfiladed the attack with double canister.

Cold Harbor

Heavily engaged in the lines at Cold Harbor, particularly in repulsing the disastrous Federal assault on the June 3.

Siege of Petersburg

The company camped near Port Walthall Junction between Richmond and Petersburg at Dunn House and saw little action, operatinng as a reserve. The two 3″ rifles had been replaced by this time and the battery was armed with four Napoleons.