Newspaper Page Text
2
A CEXTURY_AT THE GUNS.
HISTOHY OF THE GALLANT
CHATHAM AHTILLEKY.
Its Organization one Hundred Years
Ago —Its first Service '{gainst the
“Kin* of England's Soldiers”—Yt
the Grave of Gen. Greene —The
Men who Have Led the Corps in
Times of Peace and War.
Surviving the shocks ami changes inci
dent to organizations of like character,
having without interruption maintained
since its inception an active existence,
and n.iving wih alacrity, ability and pa
triotism performed t all nines and in all
places '.hedutiea winch devolved upon it.
the Chatham Artillery—the oldest volun
teer military company within the limits
of the Southern Slates—with unusual
pomp and circumstance proud l * cele
brates its Cenleuniul anniversary. Sym
pathizing in the attractions ot the occa
sion, thousauos have assembl'd Irorn sis
ter States to signify their interest In this
important event, to participate in its fes
tivities and martial contests, and to ten
der to this venerable corps their cordial
congratulations. Surely tne season is
most apt lor the interchange of courtesies
and salutations.
Among the founders of the Chatham
Artillery were many who had In person
share I the perils and the privations of ac
tive service in the Army of tne tievolu
tion, who, appreciating the value of inde
pendence, dearly bought, were resolved
loyally and manfully to perpetuate its
existence. Profoundly did Us members
recognize ihe fact that in a country suen
as t .at wb.cb we then possessed,
encompassed by dangers. most im
portant was the station of the
citizen soldier; that in republics volun
teer military organisations are, in peace,
the caiu at guardians of law, and mat to
them, in seasons of apprehension, mu-t
the community look lor prompt protec
tion.
CHILD OF AN HEROIC AGE.
This ariidery corps was toe child of
that heroic age consequent upon the suc
cessful termination o the American
struggle lor Heedom trim Engl so rule.
Us hist Captain, Elwa and Llovd. bad
been a Lieutenant in the Contiuenta
army, and had lost an ami during the
siege of Savannah in Oct. 1770 lls earl
iest field service was rendered in May.
1780, wnen, in association with the hist
regim nt of Cuaibani county anlceriain
troop- from Beauiort district, isoutn Caro
lina, a lot tided camp ot runaway negroes
and ireeboo'ers.siyling t- em-elves “King
of England’s s Irlieis,” esiablisherl on
Bear creek, in Etlinghamcounty, was at
tacked and iis occupari's were killed,
wounded, captured or dispersed. Tne ar
mament torn consisted ut only two 4-
pounder guns.
The same year to the Chatham Artil
lery was assigned the duty ol tiring min
ute guns and of discharging the funeral
salute upon the occa-ion of the sepulture
of Gt-n. Nathanael Greene.
A CK.MURY AGO.
Upon the celebration of the “anniver
sary ol American independence” July 4,
1786, ibe thirteen regular masts
were responded to by “dlscnarges
of cannon from Capi. Loyd's
Artillery;” and, to reproduce ihe compli
ment extended by ibe Georgia finzrUe,
“in ibe evening Capt. Lloyd’s company ot
artillery exhibited a lively and sinking
scene of dr eworks wnicb did honor to the
abilities of ibe Captain and bis company,
and whicn we are nappy to assure the
public b'ds fair to be ' qual to any corps
ot the kind in tne world.” At that early
period it was deemed neoessary that an
artillerist should be acqua'nted not only
with tne school ot the piece and of tbe
battery, but. also with the practical man
ufacture of fire-balls, rockets, port-fires,
slow matches, and signals. To that end
one ntteriioon in eaco week was devot' and
to acquiring the art of pvrotechny. ITese
smkli s amt lab irs were conducted ai the
lulsiratory—a woolen building then used
bv the company, and occupying a portion
ol the lot upon which Anuorv ball now
stands.
THE CHATHAM'S EARLY FRIENDS.
Between tbe Chatham Artillery and
the Georgia branch ol tue 80
citty ol the Cincinnati exist
ed a close friendsuip which was
maintained aa long as that order survived
w thin the limits ot this commonvv.-alib.
May Ist—consecrated to ihe niennny ot
the Tutelar Saint of America—and Ju'y
4th were otteri Celebrated hy them con
jointly at “Brown’s C"ffe bouse,” or ai
the "Filatur.,” the fesiivit es consisting
of a hiiontilul repaat enllvem and by rei-iilar
and volunteer toasts redolent of patriot.
Dm, of admiration for tbe sex, o
it. votion to tne memory ot tbe il
iUHtiious departed, and ot bo| e tor tbe
fuiuie. They were rendered emphatic by
tbe roar ot cannon, and ol ten 00.,eluded
with a display of fireworks prepared by
the art ill- ri-ts. Upon these lesiiveocea
sums there was a gt n-roua flow of excel
lent. brandy ami genuine Madeira wine.
Tnomas Elm, tb" s- cond Captain, was
in command of the company when, in
1791. Gen. George Washington visited
Savannah, and wa for aeveral days me
b oiored guest of ar. admiring community.
The earth-mounds oovei ing tbe dead who
fell dur ng the siege of Savannah bad not
thin yielded lotlie obli erating influences
01 the tempest, and some ol the dwellings
within the limits of the town still bore the
•cars of the bombardment.
UKN. WASHINGTON SALUTED.
Survivors ol the war gathered from
•il quarlers, welcomed the illus
trious dueli am, and strove in gen
erous emulation to render everv
possible honor to him who bad led
the Revolutionary forces to victory.
Whenever be appeared in public he was
saluted witu salvos from the suns of the
Chatham Artillery. In an order pule
Halted by G n. James Jackson, the com
manding odicer oi the militia and volun
teer forces in the southern part of Geor
gia, appears the followinggru'iiying allu
sion 10 the conduct of the battery: "it
is a pleasure to the (ienerai to announce
to the artillery the very general applause
they received on Saturday, and, what
ought to immortalize t.tie corps, the appro,
ballon of their conduct expressed In tne
warmest terms by the Commander-In-
Gbief ol the United •Matos, The General
hopes that this character, so (irmly es
tablished. will lona continue them an or
nament to the militia and an bonor to the
State ol Georgia.”
THE WASHINGTON GONE.
It lives among the proudest traditions
•ftbis time-honored company that tbs
soldierly bearing, courteous demeanor,
Hnu dexterity of it* members exhibited
during this visit, ao thoroughly attracted
the notice and elicited the commendation
ol tbe taller of bU oouutry lbat, uyon
bia return to tne seat of government, in
bappv memory of tbe occasion, in token
ol bis esteem, and as an Incentive
to fun her action, ne complimented tbe
battery witu the section of bronze 8-
ponnder cues w hich have ever since been
guarded, cherished, and known an the
WHHiUII Jton guns.
When, < Ight years afterwards, at Mount
Vernon, this patriot, warrior, and states
man, wbu was "drat in war, first In pea to,
and drat in tne bearieof Ids countrymen,"
aso- mle.l to ihe stars and a nation la
mented ble departure, the Chatham Ar
tillery hi Savannah, with ‘•side-arms
mourned.” and minute guns, contributed
to toe expressions o' tmivera sorrow.
AN ILLUSTRIOUS COMMANDER.
Tbe tlrrd ' ap'aia oflhu company was
•Install Tutnall, Jr., Who w<s succes
sively intrust and with the Colo*
neley of the Chatham regimen',
with the position of o' lja J ler
i General of the Kill! Brigade ol the first
division ot Georgia .VI litui—wiih useatui
the State Legislature,-with the "ffloe ol
United Slates senator,—and lastiv with
line gubernatorial chair o this Common
w<allb. He was succeeded in 1i94 by
Oapt .fames Robertson. During the
troubles on the southern frontier, caused
bv tue Creek Indians, a detachment of
twenty-nine men was'or some time on
active service, guarding from depreda
tions the further confines of Liberty
I county.
I Benjamin Wall, the fifth Captain in the
order ol succession, wa- followed by Cap
! tain Richard Vl.Stit s, the son of a Cap
! tain ot art ilery in llie Continental army,
j and a lawyer or good repute.
The uniform of the company c'O'ely re
! semtiled 'bat in vogue during the war of
j ilie Revolution. Public parades on May
! Ist and July 4tn were supplemented by
j generous dinners at ibe "Labi.rat .ry,” at
v bicti. In the language of Uie "minutes”
..f me battery, "the hours were spent in
ihe usual harmony and good fellowship
so characteristic of this company.”
IN THE WAR OF 1812.
Under Cap'ain Robert Mac Key, the sev
enth commander, tbe comcanv was, dur
iug a portion of tne war of 1812-15, mus
t-red info the service ot the Untied States.
A detachment formed a part
of the garrison of Fort Jackson, and
the members of ttio company were lor
-nine time employed in the erection of for
tifications lor tne pro-ection o' Savannah,
and hi the performance "f military duties
in the presence ol tne enetnv who, led by
C'>ckburn, threatened tne coast.
Under the spirit' and and efficient com
mand of William Thorne Williams, who
was elected Captain on Dec. 10. 1816, tbe
company hore upon is muster roll the
names of 63 active members.
Tne vacancy caused hy his resignation
"n Dec. 14, 1824, was tilled hy the election
ol Peter Blots. It was during his
captaincy that tne battery parti
cipated in tbe ovation paid
to Lafayette, when, as ibe gu-st of the
republic, be came to Savannah and laid
the corner-stones ot ihe monuments to be
erected in honor of Greene and Pulaski.
HONORING LAFAYETTE.
From tbe Washington guns rang out re
peated and deep-t -n-d w Iconic to that
distinguish'd riero who, afier tue lapse ot
nearly naif a century, revisited the sceue
of hiy early reno vn.
On Feb. 2. 1526, Charles M. King was
elected Captain ot the corps, and, tor the
nuing six years, retained its command
The at tuaweui ot tbe battery then com
CAPT. JOSEPH 8. CLAGHORN.
stated of two 4-pounder bronze field
pieces and the Washington 6 pound
ers. Slated parades occu'red on Jan. 8.
Feb. 22, May 1 and on July 4. Feb. 22 in
each year was devoted to target practice.
A detachment of the company was al
ways ou alarm duly. The alarm post
was llx-d at the “laboratory”, amt three
gun-, discharged in quick suo-es-don,
constituted tne signal lor the immediate
assembling of the coi ps on an emergency.
VOLUNTEERED FOR THE MEXICAN WAR.
Tne eleventh captain was Oharlec Ste
phens, who had been an officer in the
Un 'e I States arniv. He brought to the
discharge of nls duties as commander ot
Hieempanv social auadti'-s ot 'he most
pleasingenaraoter. military capacity
of a high order. In I*3s.when serious dis
agreements occurred between the whites
and tbe Indians in Florida—two v-ars
at erwards when and fficulties of a grave
character were apprehended with ibe
Cherokee Indiana—and again umm the
declaration ot war witn Mexico, the
Chatham Artillery volunteer'd for active
service, but was not called into the field.
Fora period of 17 years did Captain
St. phens retain tbe command of the
corps, and it was during bis term of office
—‘O wit: on Sept. 7, 1847 that the
corner s'one of the present Armory ball
was laid with anpruprlate ceremonies.
On Feb. 10, 1840, Lieut. John
B, Gall e was promoted to the
c.p'ainoy of the battery. Accepting the
invitation of the Washington Artillery,
the comp tny. on Feb. 22, 1860, repaired to
Charleston, S. C., and received at ihe
hands of the military organizations of
tha'city lavish hospitalities and courte
sies most marked. •*
AT MIDWAY CHURCH.
Two years atierwards a detachment of
the corps marched to Midway Church, in
Liberty county, and fired 100 guns in
commemoration ot the Centennial anni
versary ot the settlement of the colonists
from Dorohester. On Feb. 22, 1888, the
Washington Legion was lortned by the
voluntary association of tbe ‘Chatham
HON. JOHN K. WARD.
Artillery, the Republican Blues, and tbe
Savannah Volunteer Guards. ('apt.
Gallic subset|uently entered tbe service
of the Confederacy, was promoted to a
majority, and lost bis Ihe while gallantly
defending Knit McAllister Hguiuet a
naval attack by Federal ironclads and
gun boats.
Tbe i birteentbcommander was the non.
John B. Ward, wb<>, as a lawyer, an ad
vocate, a member of the General Assem
bly cl this Sla'e, and as a Minister Pleat
poten'tary, reflected credit up >n tbe land
wntch gave bim birth, lie la bere 10-day,
as tile chasen in al'ir of h s old company,
'o procla m the memories of the past cen
tury, anti to felicitatetue battery < pon a
reputation nobly won aud honestly main
tained.
THE COMPANY’S FOURTEENTH COM
MANDER.
On July 20, i#y, Joseph 8. Clagborn
wan elected Captain of the battery. For
anin" time the a ntanwnt. In addition to
tbe section oi Washington guns, had non
elated "i four brcnae d-pouiiders and two
12-pounder bronze hmviizera, wei mount
ed, and with repuiMie limbers and cais
sons. Profuse In hospitality, numbering
in its ranks oiebof position, <>f popularity,
and of icflueO'ie, enjoying a reputation
most enviable And exemptions of uo little
SAVANNAH MORNING NEWS: MONDAY, MAY 3, 1886.- -TWELVE PAGES.
consequence, the Chatham Artillery was
a wav a bivorite coinoanv in "avannaj
Toe uniform of a pr vate in the battery
was t .en almost as imposing as that of a
Major General in full regimentals.
The summer of 1859 was render'd mem
orable by an excursion to Nashville, and
on May 1, litfl, tbe company celebrated
Its seventy-tilth anniversary. On that
occasion a beautiful Confederate flag was
presented by Second Lieut. Julian Hart
ridge, in behalf of the wives and daughters
of the non-commissioned officers of the
battery, and received by Capt. Claghorn.
An oration was pronounced by First
Lieut. Charles C. Jones, Jr., and the cere
monies of the day were concluded by a
Confederate salute of eight guns. It was
tbe largest parade which the company
had ever made. Upon its roll were then
borne 91 active, o • xernpt, 2 absent, and
41 Honorary members.
ON THE EVE OF TROUBLE.
Georgia had pas-ed her oidinance of
secession; the Confederate government
had been organized at Montgomery; Fort
Sumter had fallen; tbe country was in
arms; and the Cha ham Artil)rv was in
tensely loyal to the Sou h- rn catise.
Ou the morning of Jau. 3, 1861, detach
ARMORY OF CHATHAM ARTILLERY.
[From a Ph tograph by VV. K. Wilsou.]
ments from tbe Chatham Artillery, Capt.
Claghorn; tbe Savannah Volunteer
Guards. Capt Screven, and , he O /letoorpe
Light Infantry, Capt. Bartow, numbering
about 125 men, under the command n
C"l. Alexander R. Lawton, in obedi nee
te the orders of his Excellency. Gov.
J seph E. Brown, proc eded down the
Savannah river in a steamb >at, and at 12
ra. took formal possession of Fort. Pulaski
in the name of the State o Georgia. No
resistance was encountered. The batterv
of the Chatham Artillery accompanied
the exp il lion and was oonvenientlv
posted for the defense of the fortification
THE CHATHAM’S FIRST SERVICE IN 1861.
This service was coeval with the first
military act committed oy Georgia In as
serting her S'a’e sovereignty, and in one
sense antedated the inception of tde Con
federate struggle tor independence. It
must he admitted, however, that every
movement ot this character, performed in
tbe South rn States,eonteni|)latin • as-pa
ration from the Union, constitut'd an
essential and a component part of the
grand urdertaking From the morning
when its first detachment, buoyant with
WASHINGTON’S HEADQUARTERS IN 1791.
[Prom n Photograph by W. K. Wilson.]
patriotic hope and fired with high re
solves, crossed the drawbridge at Fort
Pul iski to that sad day wiiich witnessed,
in the surrender of the* onledernte forces
under Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, ihe
virtual abandonment "I tbe protracted,
cosily, and gigantic effort for separate
national existence, tills battery was con
tinuously in t e field, by its intelligence,
alacrity, and efficiency attracting the no
tice and eliciting tbe commendation of
ail.
AT FORT PULASKI.
At the time of Ita occupation under the
order* of Gov. Brown the armament ol Fort
Pulaski consisted of twenty 32-pouoder
guns. Most of their carriages were un
serviceable. In the magazine*
were found onlv a few hundred pounds
of powder. The cartridge bags were
moth-eaten and va.ueless Ot a lul
shot lb're was but a limited sup
ply, and not a single shell was ready for
action. Implements were scarce. No
guns were moutued en barbette. It was
the special duty of the members
ot tbe Chatham Artillery, the only artil
lerists present, (O place tbe armament of
the tort in the beat po"dl>le attitude and
at the earliest practicable moment. But
THK WASHINGTON GUNS.
[From a Pi.otograpti by W. E. Wilson.]
we may not, in this hurried ke'ch, enter
into details. On July .’II, 1801, tbe com
pany was regularly mustered into the ser
vice of the Confederate States, Pre
viously it constituted a part of
tbe 8t ale’s forces.* Horses hav
ing been Intermediately obtained lor
tbe full equipment of the cmnuany as
a light flattery, la c in September, 1881,
the Gualjbam Artillery was relisted from
duty at Fort Pulaski and went into camp
on tue Isle of Hope.
AT ISLE OF HOPE.
Witn September 28 commences its his
tory as Confederate Light Battery. The
morning report,on December 31, following
showed aa "aggregate present and absent
of 121.
ffwasa’six cun battery, Having two
sections of 6-pounder " bronze field
pieces, and one section of 12 pounder
bronze howitzers. To these were added
a steel rifle B.akely gun throwing a coni
cal pp-jectile weighing about twelve
pounds.
Frequent drills, exact discipline, and
careiul Instruction quickly ren iered the
members conversant with pointing and
ranging, with the manual of the piece,
with the mechanical manoeuvres, and
with tbe schools of the soldier, the driver,
tbe piece, and the battery. While in the
service ol the State, and for some time
afier muster into tbe service ot me Con
federacy, the uniform worn consisted ot
ihe undress or faii ue uniform speci
fied in section 9of rule 8 for the govern
ment of tbe Chatham Artillery, adopted
at a meeting of the corps held at Armory
hall on Fob. 15, 1860. Before the expira-
tion of the fir-t year of service, however.
'bis fatigue uniform was exuiinged fot
that prescrib 'd bv Confederate regula
tions. For several months after its
equipment as a light battery, sabres and
navy revolvers were worn by the "an
noniers. Tney were subsequently turned
in. and the men were instructed to rely
exclu-ively upon their tl-ld p'eoes.
UNDER THE CONSCRIPT ACT.
On May 17, 1862, the company was re
organized under the provisions of the
conscript act. Joseph 8. Claghorn wa
re-elected Captain, and Charles 0. Jones.
Jr., Senior First Lieutenant. John
F. Wheaton was elected Jun
mr First Lieutenant.. Thomas A. Askew
Senior Second Lieutenant, and 'amuol B
Palmer Junior Second Lieutenant. Prior
to this reorganization Junior First Lieut
Julian Hartridge, upon his election
ts a member of Confederate Congress, bat
tendered his resignation, and Senior Sec
ond Lieut. William 11. Davidson de
clined further service on account of ill
health. <) i June 8 a section of the bat
tery, consisting of the Blakelv rifle gun
and a 12-pounder bronze howitzer, wnh
full detachments, and under the command
ot Lieut. Askew, was detailed for service
on James island, 8. C. With the Con
federate movements culminating in the
repulaoottbe Federal* in their assault
upon Bat terv Lamar and their enforced
abandonment of an advance upon Charles
ton till* section was identified.
When, alter tbe battle or Seven Pines,
Brig. Gen. A. R. Lawton wa* ordered
with the Thirteenth, Twenty-sixth, Thir
ty-til t. Thirty-eight h. Sixtieth and Sixty
first Georgia regiments to join the Army
of Virginia, the Chatham Artillery ri
quested permission to accompany this
splendid brigade.
PROTECTING ITS HOME.
Tbe application, however, was denied,
and the buttery was continued upon duly
on the Georgia eoa*t.
On Oct. 14, 1862. First Lieut. Charles C.
Jones, Jr., was commissioned as I,'auten
ant Colonel nt Artillery, and assigned to
the command of the light batteries in the
military district of Georgia. On Dec. 12
lollownik, Capt. Claghorn resigned the
command of tbe Chatham Artillery, ami
accepted tbe position nl ordnance officer
upon the staff nl Maj. Gen. Gustavus W .
Smith, then commanding tbe Georgia
State forces. The vacancies thus caused
were tilled by tbe promotion of Junior
First Lieut. John F. Wheaton to the Cap
taincy, of Senior Second Lo ut. Thomas
A. Askew to tbe senior first lleutenantcy.
ol Junior Second Lieut. Samuel B. Palmer
to the junior drat lleutenantcy, anil by
the iVo loti o* Sergt. Maj, George A.
IV hltencad to the senior <-cond llsuten-,
antey, aud of Ssrtrt. Georg® N. Hendry *
the junior second lieutenantcy. These
officers retained their respective positions
in the battery until the close of tbe war—
Lieut. Whitehead being most ol the time
on detached duty as Adjutant to Lieut.
Col. Charles C. Jones, Jr., Chief of Ar
tillery.
DRILLED FOR DEADLY WORK.
Until ordered to James island. theChat
bain Artillery, in association with tbe
otner light batteries in too military dis
trict of Georgia, was regularly drilled by
tbe Lieutenant Coiooel commanding, in
tbe school of the battalion. These drills
were conducted with great spirit. A
generous rivalry was engendered among
tne batteries concentrated tor tbe detense
of Savannah and the coast, and the light
artilierv companies ot the military dis
trict ol "Georgia were not'd for their pro
fioienev, soldierly discipline, and general
excellence. It is pe haps not invidious
to Bdd that among them all pre
cedence was, by common consent,
accorded to the Cbutuam Artillery.
During the naval assnul s upon Fort Mc-
Allister, launched by the Federals in Jan
uary and February,*lß63, two sections ol
the battery—one under tne command of
Lieut. Askew, and tbe other under tbe
command of Lieut. Whitehead —were sta
tioned within supporting distance of that
work.
ORGANIZED INTO A BATTALION.
On May 9 to.lowing, the Chaiham Ar
tillery aiid Ihe Terrell Artdlery were
formed into a battalion under the com
mand ot Maj. E. G. Dawson. Tbisorgan
tzaiion was perpetuated only until June
16, when, Alaj. Dawson having tendered
b s res guation on account of ill health,
tbe companies resumed their former status
as independent hatter es.
Early in 1863 one section of 6-pounder
guns was exchanged tor a section of
12-pounder howitzers; and, on June
16 ihe other section ot 6-pounder guns
was turned in, and in lieu thereof a com
plete section of 12 pounder guns ot the
Napoleon pattern was substituted.
Tne moverner.ts of the Federal* plainly
indicating the Inauguration of anew and
serious effort to pos-ess themselves of the
outnosts of the city ot Charleston, Gen.
Beauregard, in July, 1863, ordered a con
cent ration of troop's for the protection ot
the approaches to that city and tne fuller
occupation of its harbor defenses.
AT JAMES ISLAND.
Responding to orders received on
July 9, the Chatham Artillery pro.
eeeded from Camo Ashbv. at White B uff
to James island, and there reported to
Col. Bimontun, commanding the advanced
COL. CHARLES C. JONES,
lines. In the affair of July 16 with tbe
United Stales gunboat Pawnee, in the
Smno river, and in the suns- quent skirm
ish's which eventuated in repelling the
Federal* from f he lower portions of James
island, tbe cotnnany rendered efficient
service. From July 10, 1863, unt-1 the
••vacuation of tbe city of Cnarleston by
'he onfederate forces under Lb ut. Gen.
William J. Hardee, ibe Chatham Ar'il
lery. with exceptions which will be noted,
remained continuously on duty on James
sland, an eye-witness ot. and a partici
pant in, scenes ot privation, ol heroic en
durance, and of patient valor w hich. when
grouped, present one of t ie most impres
sive pictures on the canvasof this event
iul war. Wiib the deiense of Wagner,
with the memories of Bece*sionville, and
the tenure of Fort Johnson. Grimhall’s
Point, and tbe advanced lines on James
island, tbe name and bravo services ol
this batterv are thoroughly identified.
AS A LIGHT BATTERY.
In obedience to instructions directing a
radical change in the composition of lignt.
batteries in Conlederateserviee, ihe Chat
ham Artillery, on Oct. 17,1863, gave up its
howitzer sections and received in their
siead a section of 12-pounder Napoleon
guns. From this date until tbe
conclusion of. tbe wa" it con
tinued to be a light battery,
armed with tour 12-pounder guns ol the
Napoleon pattern. Deterioration in the
railway transportation of the beleaguered
country, and tbe belief that a 4-gun hat
tery was a more convenient organization
ami constituted a sufficient command for
a Captain, wete suggested in explanation
of the general order enforcing the reduc
tion ol tbe armament ot field batteries in
Confederate service.
Early in February, 1864, Brig. Gen.
Seymour effected a landing at Jackson
ville. The avowed objects of tbe formid
able expedition which he conducted were
to establish an outlet for the cotton and
lumber of Florida, to isolaio a region
whence the Confederate Commissary De
partment drew important supplies, to ob
tain recruits for the colored regiments in
CAPT. JOHN F. WHEATON, PRESENT COM
MANDER.
Federal service, and to lead the State of
Florida back to her termer allegiance to
the United States.
IN FLORIDA IN 18C4.
To oppose tbls contemplated Inroad
there was, at tLe time, within the limns
ol Florida a bate handful ol Cnn'eUerate
troops. Rapid concentration was neces
sary. Brig. Gen. Column, with bis
brigade, the Chatham Artillery from
James island, und such forces as could be
spared from me military district ot Gear
gin, were rapidly embodied at Lake City,
and were thence thrown forward to the
Held works which llrig.Geu. Joseph Fine
gan had constructed and was then hold
ing at and near Oltlttee station. By Feb.
18 a- me 4.800 Confederates of all arms
usd here assembled. Gen. Seymour was
advancing from Jacksonville along the
line of the railway leading Irorn that t‘>wn
to Tallahassee. He was moving in three
Columns, uggreraiing not less than Ti.'iOO
meu. The position selected by ihe Con
federates for interrupting tne Federal
march was the most advantageous afliirded
for miles along tbe route chosen by Gen.
Seymour lor tbe Invasion of Florida. Uu
tbu left was Ocean Pond, offering a pro
tection which could be turned only by a
detotii of not less titan eight miles. On
the right lay a swamp which. If not Im
practicable, presented serious difficulties
to its facile passage.
AT OLUBTKK STATION.
Tue onlv direct approach was hv means
ol the railway track and the highway
leading along causeways oelween Ocean
Pond on the oue hand and the sw arnp on the
otner, Tnorougbly commanding this ap
proacn were field works, behind which
the Confederates were resolved to dispute
tbe advance ot tbe enemy.
Tne engagement Feb. 20, however,
was not fought behind t. ese breastworks
at and near Olustee station, or upon the
ground selected by tbe Conledi-rates. It
occurred in the open pine-barren, three
miles in front of that position. Bo'b
a mies came into collision, largely with
out preparation and fn mutual surprise,
in at least partial Ignorance of the true
state ol affairs, upon ground equally fa
vorable to both, and with no plansorcom
hinations other thn such as were born of
the hour and developed by the necessities
of the occas on. The battle of Ocean
Pond was a fair fight, with a preponder
ance or men and metal in lavor of the
Federals. Reluctantly do wo refrain
'rom ent ring upon a narrativeof this on
gag. ment in which Gen. Seymour encun
teied ad sastrous defeat, and sustained a
lossof nearly 2,000 men in killed.wounded,
and captured. But the limits of thi hur
ried sketch will not permit us to do more
LIEUT. R. F. HARMON,
than applaud the conduct ot theChatbam
Artillery during this memorable engage
ment.
THE BATTLE OF OCKAN POND.
Tbe company went into action with an
aggregate ot 111 present for duty, and the
constant and well-directed fire of the Na
poleons contributed largely to the con
summation of the signal victory. Asa
mark ot the commanding General’s ap
preciation of 'he gallant and efficient ser
vices rend* red hy the Chatham Artillery,
Capt. Wheaton was allowed to exchange
two of bis Napoleons ol Confederate man
ufacture for a section of Napoleon guns
captured on the field from Langdon's Bat
tery, First United states Artillery. These
pieces, with their battle-scarred carriages,
tbe company retained, with special pride,
until they were surrendered at Gieeos
boro, N. C.
Until April 19. 1864, the Chatham Ar
tillery remained on duty in Florida. On
that day, the Fed rals having thoroughly
abandoned tneir expedition for tbe subju
gation ot tue Land of Flowers, the battery
set out on its return to James island,
where it participated freely in tbe tenure
of the advanced lines, and on more than
one occasion assisted in repulsing the
attacks of tbe enemy.
ON THE COMBAHEE RIVER.
Relieved from duty on James island on
Dec. 5, it was ordered to occupy the field
works on tbe Combabee river covering
the appr ach to Green Pond station "n
the Charleston and Savannah railroad.
Alter considerable service at this point,
at O and Poootaligo, and at ClJsbolmville,
rtie company was returned to James
island on Jan. &, 1860. In anticipa
tion of the evacuation of Charleston
and to strengthen hisin'antry force, Gen,
Hardee, early in January, promulgated
a 1 order directing that all tb<' men in ex
e> ss of an effective total of sixty, attach
ed to the four-gun light batteries in the
department, should be armed and drilled
as infantry. The order further provided
that these details should be placed in
special charge of offi'-ers selected from
the batteries, and that they should march
LIEUT. GEORGE P. WALKER,
with and constitute a supporting force
for the respective batteries to which they
belongml. This order wa* promptly
obeyed by Capt. Wheaton, and private T.
VV. vioNish was appointed Sergeaut of
the in 'antry support.
SHERMAN’S MARCH THROUGH CAROLINA,
By the middle of January 1865,Gen. Sher
man put bis army in.motion tor its march
through the Carutinas. Gen. Hardee with
bis 18,000 Confederates, statiom and
at detached points along tbe Carolina
eoast and in the interior, composed large
ly or reservsand State troops, recently
called 0"t end unused to the hardship* ot
field service, and of artillerists drawn
troni forts and field batteries, who. lor tbe
tiisi time, were handling muskets, was
incapable of off, ring • ffectual resistance
to tbe converging columns of Howard
and Slocum. Four years of gigantic war,
under adverse circumstances and in the
teeth of overwhelming odds, bad well
nigu consumed the tn an hood and resour
ces of tbe Isolsita and bleeding Confed
eracy. Cut off from all communication
with the outer world, wholly dependent
upon her unaided exertions, pre-sed on all
side*, her lines ol internal communication
sadly interrupted, her currency depre
ciated to the verge of annihilation, her
teelile army poorly clad, badly ted, and
unpaid, it was impossible ior the Conled
erate government longer to stem the tide
of invasion witb good nopeot success.
THE END NEAR AT HAND.
The end was at band. Sherman's march
| through the Carolina* wa* foreshadowed
In bis march through Georgia—accom
plished witn ease because there was no
Confederate force strong enough to retard
hi* progress. Chatiesion tell witnoiu a
blow, and that gallant city which, during
years or peril and suffering, bad defied
the assaults of the enetnv, whose ad
vanced work*—Sumter and Wagner—
have bequeathed to h-storv valorous mem
ories which will survive with the recol
lection* of Levdeti and Malta, Sar*g"*a
and Cretna, abandoned o her defenders,
w-s surrendered by her Mayor t a l.ieu
! tenant. Colonel of infantry commanding a
negro regiment. The combined forces of
Hampton, VV heeler and Butler could not
i "heck the incursion of tbe Federals, and
'he battle ol Benlonville demonstrated
; alike the courage and the weakness of the
! Coiitederat* army.
On F b. 2, IBiis the Chatham Artilierv
wa* ordered Hi Brancbvlll", and thence to
Columbia, 8.C., where it wa* ussigned to
duty with Butler’s division of Hampton’s
cavalrv
IIIK CAROLINA CAMPAIGN.
Crossing the Congsree and taking Dost
| nt Granby, tne battery shelled the Fede-
I ral camp during the night ol
I Feb. 15. At dav dawn It
; 1 pored to a bill about 300 yards in rear of
| that position and. for the" space of two
bourn, fired upon the enemy. In tbisaf-
I lair Corporal O’Byrne and privates
Lovell and Tierney were w ounded
several horses were kilted.
After a forced march 01 27 miles r
tain VVbeaion succ. eded in circumventii?-
Columbia, wh en had pa-sed into tbe „£
session of ibe United S ales lorce- and ia
Mills" 1111 ' Butier ’ BCLmuianil al Kenyon’s
Until May 1 the Chatham Artilierv
shared the fortunes of the army 01
Joseph E. Johnston upon its retreJi'
through tbe Carolinas. The hour ot sur
render arrived, and on Its seventy-ninth
anniversary the members of this tam„„,
company were paroled. On the follow
lngday the guns, htrses and equipment.'
weie turned over.
THE SURRENDER AT GREENSBORO.
This occurred at Greensboio. N n
The batter>, then surrendered, consisted
ot four 12-pounder Napoleon guns. Two
of them were of Confederate manulaeture
and me Otber two were Federal guns'
captured at the battle ot Olustee, which’
as we have intimated, were then placed
in tbe keeplug of the company by the
commanding general in token of his an.
prec.atiou o* the services and gallant con!
duct of tbe battery during that mem ira!
ble engagement. About 100 member!
present lor duty received their parols
I'be battery horses were scarcely nt tor
service, having suffered S'-veieiy from
forced marches ana lack of forage. Tbe
Sergeants weie dismounted, and some of
the caissons were dtawn by only lour
horses. The men were not paid off. ’lw
received each $1 in si ver.
On May 3 the members of the Chatham
Artillery, with heavy hearts, turned their
taces homeward. Hamburg, opposite
Augusta, w.i reached on May 14. There
the men rested during May 15, and on the
next day they w ere die handed to seek
their respective abodes.
THE MARCH HOME.
During this march from Greensboro
while in other commands straggling and
disorganization obtained, tbe integrity of
the Chatham Artillery was caretuliy
maintained. Guard duty was regularly
performed to the last moment, and good
order was preserved. None left ti e ranks
save such as were too weak to endure tbe
fatigue of the journey. On the morning
when tbe company was final y disbanded
90 men answered to their names
at roll-call. Thus, to tbe lat
est moment of its service in
the Conledt-rafe army, did this company
exhibit that obedience to and love of or
der, that e*prtf tie airpx, and that retard
for discipline which had always cnarac
teiiz< and it.
Although the history of this battery is
less b oody; although in tbe record of ita
services may be enumerated f* wer scenes
ot carnage and danger than were experi
enced by many otber organizations in the
service of the Confederacy, of the mem-
A
LIECT. .votes R.
bers of no company can it be spoken with
greater truth, they did their whole duty
cheeriully, intelligently, tfficiently, and
patriotically at all times and in all places
IN RECONSTRUCTION TIMES.
During that, grievous period of recon
struction which followed hard upon the
conclusion ot tbe Con'ederate struggle 101
independence, when tbe sufferings ot tha
piesent were sadly commingled witb the
uncertainties ol tbe future—when, amid
ihe wreck of foriunes, there appeared
room for little else than a striung a ter
daily oread—when the will ot the con.
queror was the supr. me law—when the
right of the vanquished 10 have arms was
more than questioned—when guns and
uniform were alike gone, and the ability
to replace them did not exist—when
Armory hall was in the pos-e sion of
strangers, and the Washington guns lay
h'dden in the bosom of mntber
earth—when tbe right to maintain
an existence was not accorded to
volunteer militaiy organizations, the
Cbatnam Artillery, acting witb
rare judgment and commendable pru
denee, maintained its existence as thor
oughly as circumstances would permit,
and anxiously await and the return of the
Pay wnen it uiinbt assert its ancient
rights, exhume and remount its ve'eran
guns, reclaim its leg ill mate abiding place,
and once more appear upon the streets ol
the city ot Ogleib-'rpu, thoroughly equip
ped, and re d\ for the duties required ol
citizen soldiery.
AS CITIZEN SOLDIERS.
• Slowly but surely all disabilities were
removed, and rights held in abeyance
were restoreu. For years past most pros
perous ba> been the condition of this time
uonored compauy. Ita armament is mor
potent than ever. Us membership
is ample, Its ball more attrac
tive and valuable than before,
and its treasury sufficient for every need.
All t.b" hospiiable memories of the past
nave been fully revived. Excursiois tc
Charleston, to Yorktown. to New
Orleans and elsewnere have extended
ibe fame of its Washington guns aim
enlarged the reputation of this historic
battery. Although a century has elapsed
since its first caunoniers, with only two
4-pounder guns, saluted the tutelar
saint of America—although during ibn
long period have come alternate lights
and shadows, storms and calms, this
company, unaffected by the flood ol years,
rejoices" in tbe plenitude of assured
strength, and exhibits no signs of deca
dence. Inthep esent there is no token
even of "lusty winter.” Only "floweri
of middle summer” are blooming here.
Tbe multitudes assembled to witness and
to participate in the can-monies atten
dant upon this Oentennial celebration at
test the general and cordial interest in
this conspicuous event, and the recollec
tions of this occasion, so replete witn
pleasurable entertainment, will augment
the nt-mories w U ch already enrich and
dignity the annuls of tbis useful, robust,
cherished, and vener-* ble organ 'za 1 ton.
Charles C. Jones, Jr.
Amjusta, Go.
THK W AHHIVGTfiN GUNS.
Cannon Around Which Clustei
Memories of Kevolutlonury l>*>s.
Tbe Washington guns, so called from
their having been presented to the Cbatb
am Artillery by General WabingtoP
shortly after his visit to Havannah in
1791, are relics around wblid
1 luster the memories of many
events. They were rendered historic i’.'
having been used agamst ihe Continent*'
anu> during the R.-mluii'-n. Tuey wei'
surrendcieii by Lord Cornwallis
<• pit illation of York tow 11, October IJ,I <M-
Their possession by tbeCumbain Ariiherj
has at all times been guarded with jer
on* devotion. Wlien Ibe Conted*’*™
army evacuated Savannah to avoid tb'' l '
falling into the hands of tbe enemy, t u* '
were hurled deep muter trie basement <jj
the armory. Many effort* we.e made >!
Union so'diers to "discover iheir wion*'
abmits. The yard and heneam the bt-e
ment was probed with Iron rods, blit “
vaiu. So securely were they deposit™
that the company, ou its reorganiza'K’J
alter the war had gieist difficulty in
mg them. Finally, after dlggmg_F^*
f Continued on Kltvaitk J'uwt.J