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Federal Battery

2nd United States Artillery, Batteries B and L

 

Commanding Officer on the Antietam Campaign:
  Capt. James M. Robertson

 

Arms:
  4   3-in. Ordnance Rifle

 

This Battery's Chain of Command:
  Army - Army of the Potomac
  Division - Cavalry Division
  Brigade - Horse Artillery, Cavalry Division


Unit history

In September 1861 Battery B was consolidated with L Battery, and early in 1862 was made a "horse battery". The battery went with the army to the Peninsula. In front of Yorktown during the siege, it was with Stoneman's cavalry in pursuit after the evacuation. In this campaign the battery was engaged at Williamsburg, Slatersville, New Bridge, Mechanicsville, Gaines' Mill, and Malvern Hill.

On the Antietam Campaign

In the Maryland campaign the battery was with the advance on leaving Washington, and was engaged near South Mountain, at Antietam, and at Shepherdstown.

Maps Showing this Unit

Battlefield Tablets for this Unit

Tablet #94: Batteries B and L, 2nd U.S. Artillery - 17 Sep, 10 AM to 17 Sep, 6 PM
Tablet #122: Army of the Potomac - 17 Sep, 10 AM to 17 Sep, 6 PM
Tablet #21: Cavalry Division - 17 Sep, 6 AM to 17 Sep, 8 PM
Tablet #121: Army of the Potomac - 17 Sep, 8 AM to 17 Sep, 6 PM
Tablet #30: Horse Batteries and Reserve Artillery - 17 Sep, 9 AM to 17 Sep, 6 PM

After the Antietam Campaign

The battery took part in Stoneman's raid in the spring of 1863, and was engaged at Beverly Ford June 9. It was under fire at Gettysburg, but was not engaged. It was engaged at Funkstown, July 9, Failing Waters, July 14, Chester Gap, July 22, Culpeper, August 1, Brandy Station, August 4, Morton's Ford, October 12, Brandy Station, October 13, Oak Hill, October 15, and Bealton Station October 26. In the campaign of 1864 the battery was in the battle of Todd's Tavern and took part in Sheridan's raids in May and June fighting at Yellow Tavern, Hanovertown, and Trevilian Station. It was also engaged at Deep Bottom, July 28. The battery went to the Valley in August, 1864, and was engaged at Newtown, Front Royal, Shepherdstown, Winchester, Milford, Waynesboro, Bridgewater, Cabin Hill, and Cedar Creek. It wintered at Pleasant Valley and remained there until it left for Washington after Lee's surrender. The combined battery was commanded by Capt. Robertson until October, 1862; by Lieut. Vincent until June, 1863; by Lieut. Heaton until August, 1864; thereafter by Lieut. Pierce.

References & Notes

Source: Simpson, Lieut. W. A. (Adjutant 2D U. S. Artillery), The Second Regiment Of Artillery, from T.F. Rodenbough, History of the Army of the United States, New York: Maynard, Merrill, & Co. , 1896 - excerpts transcribed online at the US Regulars site.

We have 3 individuals in the AotW database who were on the Maryland Campaign with this unit:

 

Co. Rank Name Casualty? Details*
LSgtSmith, John Hewitt        We have some details for this person
--CaptRobertson, James Madison        We have a picture for this person We have some details for this person
--LtVincent, Albert Oliver        We have a picture for this person We have some details for this person

 

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