2nd Richmond (Virginia) Howitzers

Confederate Regiments & Batteries * Virginia

 

1861
May Organized before May 11 under the command of Captain David Watson.
June-October Assigned to Artillery of the Department of the Peninsula.
June 10

Big Bethel
July 5 Near Newport News
1862
January-March Assigned to Artillery, Forces at Leesburg, Potomac District, Department of Northern Virginia
April-May

Siege of Yorktown

Assigned to Reserve Artillery of the Army of Northern Virginia
June-February Assigned to Brown’s Battalion, Reserve Artillery of the Army of Northern Virginia
May 31-June 1

Battle of Seven Pines
June 25-July 1

Seven Days Battles
September 17

Battle of Sharpsburg (Antietam)

The battery was under the command of Captain David Watson. It was armed with two 10-pounder Parrott Rifles, a 12-pounder howitzer, and fourth gun that migh have been a 3″ Ordnance Rifle. The battery did not reach the area until late in the day and did not cross the Potomac, guarding th fords at Shepherdstown.
September 19 Skirmish at Williamsport.
December 13

Battle of Fredericksburg
1863
January Captain Watson was promoted to major.
February-July Assigned to Brown’s Battalion, Reserve Artillery, 2nd Corps, Army of Northern Virginia
May 1-4

Battle of Chancellorsville
July-June Assigned to Brown’s-Hardaway’s Battalion, Artillery, 2nd Corps, Army of Northern Virginia
July 1-3

Battle of Gettysburg

Captain David Watson commanded the battery at Gettysburg. It was equipped with four 10-pounder Parrott Rifles.

From the battery’s markers on West Confederate Avenue:

Army of Northern Virginia 
Ewell’s Corps Artillery Reserve
Dance’s Battalion Watson’s Battery
Second Richmond Howitzers
Four 10 Pounder Parrotts

July 1. Reached the field in evening too late to take part in the battle.

July 2. Early in the morning took position on this ridge just north of Western Maryland R. R. cut. Opened fire about 4 P. M. upon the batteries on Cemetery Hill and continued firing until dark.

July 3. Moved to this position. Took part in the great cannonade preceding Longstreet’s final assault and kept firing for some time afterwards. Withdrew at night to camp in rear.

July 4. After nightfall began the march to Hagerstown.

Ammunition expended 661 rounds. Losses not reported in detail.
October

Bristoe Campaign
November-December

Mine Run Campaign
1864
May 5-6

Battle of the Wilderness
May 8-21

Battle of Spotsylvania Court House
May 23-26

Battle of North Anna
June 1-3

Battle of Cold Harbor
September Assigned to Cutshaw’s Battalion, Artillery, Army of the Valley
October 19

Battle of Cedar Creek
1865
March 2

Battle of Waynesoro
March

Siege of Petersburg

Assigned to Cutshaw’s Battalion, Artillery, 2nd Corps, Army of Northern Virginia
April 9

Appomattox Court House

The“Final Combat” wayside marker in front of the George Peers House mentions, “The cannon in the Peers yard caused some of the last casualties of the war in Virginia.”