Norfolk (Virginia) Artillery

Confederate Regiments & Batteries * Virginia

“Huger Artillery”

1861
June 8 The Norfolk (Virginia) Artillery was created for one year’s service by splitting off from the Norfolk Light Artillery Blues. The new battery was commanded by Captain Francis “Frank” Huger (West Point Class of 1860).
July-April Assigned to the Artillery Battalion, Huger’s Division, Department of Norfolk.
1862
March Reorganized for the duration of he war.
May Evacuation of Norfolk. Moved to Richmond.
June-July Assigned to the Artillery Battalion, Huger’s Division, Army of Northern Virginia.
June 25-July 1
Seven Days Battles
July Assigned to the Artillery Battalion, R. H. Anderson’s Division, Longstreet’s Division, Army of Northern Virginia.
August 28-30
Second Battle of Manassas (Bull Run)
September 17
Battle of Sharpsburg (Antietam)

Captain Huger was absent from the battle and the battery was commanded by Lieutenant C. R. Phelps. It was equipped with one 10 pounder Parrott Rifle, one 3″ Ordnance Rifle and two six pounder howitzers. The battery was posted covering the left flank of the sunken road from the wesr side of the Hagerstown Pike.
November 23

At Fredericksburg. Began entrenching on the far left of the Confederate position on Marye’s Heights.
December 13
Battle of Fredericksburg

The battery served on the far left of the Confederate position on Marye’s Heights. It enfiladed the Federal assault and was the target of Federal batteries but was not itself assaulted. One of its rifles burst, a howitzer was dismounted, three horses were killed and five wounded. One private had the tail of his coat torn away by a shell that passed beteen his legs but was otherwise uninjured.
1863
March 2

Captain Huger was promoted to major. Joseph Moore was promoted to captain and took command of the battery.
May 1-4
Chancellorsville Campaign
May 3-4
Battle of Salem Church
June-July Assigned to Artillery Battalion, Heth’s Division, 3rd Corps, Army of Northern Virginia
Juy 1-3
Battle of Gettysburg

The battery brought 77 men to the field commanded by Captain Joseph Moore.

From the battery’s marker on West Confederate Avenue at Gettysburg:

One 10 Pounder Parrott One 3 Inch Rifle
and Two Napoleons

July 1. The Parrott and Rifle about 3.30 P. M. relieved some of Pegram’s guns on the ridge west of Herr’s Tavern their ammunition being exhausted and from that time took part in the conflict.

July 2. Opened fire here at 3 P. M. on East Cemetery Hill and kept it up for some hours. Renewed it at dusk in support of Early’s assault.

July 3. Moved under orders to position south of McMillan’s Woods and remained inactive all day though sometimes under fire.

July 4. At 8 A. M. marched to Cashtown to reinforce the cavalry escorting the wagon train. The Napoleons took no part in the battle but were in position here on this day and at evening began the march to Hagerstown.

Losses not reported in detail.
July 6
Battle of Williamsport
July 14
Battle of Falling Waters
July Assigned to Garnett’s-Richardson’s Battalion, 3rd Corps Artillery, Army of Northern Virginia
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
June
Siege of Petersburg
1865
March-April
Appomattox Campaign
April 8
Appomattox Station

The battery was captured with Walker’s artillery train. Only three men escaped to rejoin the main army, who surrendered the next day at Appomattox Court House.