Captain McCausland was sent to train troops gathering in Charles Town. The battery elected William Nelson Pendleton to be captain.

Battle of Falling Waters (detachment)

Captain Pendleton left three guns in defensive positions along the march from Martinsburg, bringing a single six pounder into battle. It helped turn back a flanking movement by Union cavalry and disabled an enemy gun.

First Battle of Manassas (Bull Run)

The Rockbridge Artillery fought on Henry House Hill in support of Jackson’s Brigade. During the pursuit of the Union forces after the battle the battery was visited by Confederate president Jefferson Davis.

Romney Campaign

Battle of Kernstown

The Rockbridge Artillery held off Union forces during the Confederate retreat but lost a six-pounder cannon and caisson in the process.

Battle of Port Republic

The Rockbridge Artillery helped prevent Jackson’s capture as he fled U.S. soldiers pouring into the town. The unit deployed its guns, drove the Union troops out, and then later assisted in their pursuit.

Battle of Malvern Hill

The battery expended all of its ammunition dueling with Union artillery. It suffered only 12 casualties due to its good position.

Battle of Cedar Mountain

Second Battle of Manassas

The Rockbridge Artillery helped repulse repeated Union attacks during the two days of the battle.

Battle of Sharpsburg (Antietam)

The battery was commanded by Captain William T. Poague. It was positioned near the Dunkard Church where it endured a severe counter-battery cross fire. One 6-pounder howitzer had been detached to Williamsport with the Reserve Artillery, leaving the battery 2 10-pounder Parrott rifles and 1 Napoleon. One officer and five enlisted men were wounded and 14 horses were killed. The loss of almost all of the horses of two of the pieces forced them to be withdrawn to the rear as unserviceable. The battery’s lone remaining piece was sent with several other guns to the far left flank to assist General Stuart in driving back Federal batteries but after fifteen minutes the effort was abandoned.

Battle of Fredericksburg

The Rockbridge Artillery split into two sections. It deployed its long-range guns on the extreme right flank of the Confederate line to support the guns of Major John Pelham and its other pieces closer to the center of the Confederate right flank at Prospect Hill. The battery sustained losses of six killed, sixteen wounded, and thirty-seven horses killed during the battle. Randolph Fairfax was killed.

Salem Church (Battle of Chancellorsville)

The battery in supported Jubal A. Early’s lines near Fredericksburg and at Salem Church. It fired 820 rounds but suffered few casualties.

Battle of Gettysburg

The Rockbridge Artillery was commanded at the Battle of Gettysburg by Captain Archibald Graham. It was positioned on Benner’s Hill to the northeast of Cemetery Hill on the second and third day of the battle. The battery participated in the artillery bombardment of Union lines in preparation for Pickett’s Charge on the 3rd. During the campaign, the battery fired 439 rounds and suffered twenty casualties.

From the marker on the Gettysburg battlefield:

Rockbridge Artillery
Four 20 Pounder Parrotts

July 1. The Battery arrived on the field too late to participate in the engagement of the day. Was ordered to report to Lieut. Colonel H. P Jones commanding Artillery Early’s Division and moved into position on the left to the south and east of town.

July 2. Remained in position on the left firing occasionally.

July 3. Remained in position during the day and rejoined the Battalion during the night.

July 4. Took up line of march to Hagerstown.

Retreat to Virginia

The Rockbridge Artillery lost its baggage trains and its sick and wounded to Union cavalry who got in among the retreating Confederates.

Spotsylvania Court House

The battery defended against Union attacks along the Confederate defensive line.

First Battle of Deep Bottom

The battery lost four cannon when Union infantry drove off the battery’s supports. The guns were quickly replaced and the battery continued to harass ship traffic on the James River for the remainder of the summer.

Appomattox Court House

The Rockbridge Artillery surrendered 3 oficers and 21 men. The members of the battery tore up their flags and kept the pieces as mementoes rather than turn them over to the Union army.