Samuel B Davison
Hardwick, VT
Enlisted 02/01/62, promoted to Cpl 02/03/63, died of
disease 06/25/64
|
1st Vermont Battery
of Light Artillery
"The Gray Horse Battery" |
In 1986, the Hemlocks expanded their military impressions by forming the First Vermont Battery. Central to this portrayal are two 3 inch wrought iron rifles (also known as Ordnance Rifles). One of these cannons is an original that saw service in the War. The other is a full-scale smooth bore reproduction. Production of this iron-barreled rifled cannon was begun early in the war following specifications developed by the U.S. Ordnance Department. It quickly won favor with artillerists on both sides of the conflict for its accuracy and ease of movement. The Hemlocks load and fire their cannons using a variation of the original drill, tempering authenticity with safety.
Organization & Service
Organized at Brattleboro and mustered in February 18, 1862. Left State for New York City March 6. Sailed on Steamer "Wallace" for Ship Island March 10, arriving April 5. Attached to Phelps' 1st Brigade, Dept. of the Gulf, to December, 1862, Artillery, 2nd Division, 19th Army Corps, Dept. of the Gulf, to June, 1863. Artillery, 3rd Division, 19th Army Corps, to September, 1863. Artillery, District of LaFourche, Dept. of the Gulf, to January, 1864. Artillery, 2nd Division, 19th Army Corps, Army of the Gulf, to July, 1864. Artillery, 1st Division, 19th Army Corps, to August, 1864.
SERVICE.--Duty at Ship Island till May 16, 1863. Moved to Camp Parapet, Defences of New Orleans, La., May 16, and duty there till January 17, 1863. (Centre Section at Fort Pike May 6 to June 4, 1862.) Duty at New Orleans till May 19, 1863. Expedition to Lake Pontchartrain April 18-21. Moved to Baton Rouge, La., May 19. Advance on Port Hudson, La., May 21-24. Siege of Port Hudson May 24-July 9. Surrender of Port Hudson July 9. March to Baton Rouge July 11-12. Return to Port Hudson July 23, and duty there till September 1. Ordered to New Orleans, La., September 1. Sabine Pass, Texas Expedition, September 3-11. Moved to Brashear City, thence to Berwick City and to Fort Bisland September 16-23. Return to Brashear City September 28, and duty there till March 3, 1864. Moved to Franklin March 3. Red River Campaign March 10-May 22. Advance from Franklin to Alexandria March 14-26. Battle of Sabine Cross Roads April 8. Pleasant Hill April 9. Monett's Bluff, Cane River Crossing, April 23. Alexandria April 30-May 10. Retreat to Morganza May 13-20. Mansura May 16. Yellow Bayou May 18. Duty at Morganza till July. Moved to Baton Rouge July 3. thence ordered home July 28. Mustered out August 10, 1864. Recruits transferred to 2nd Vermont Battery.
Battery lost during service 3 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 51 Enlisted men by disease. Total 54.
Source: Dyer, Frederick H. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865. (From VT in the Civil War web site).
A 3" Wrought Iron Rifle half section.
Detailed history of the 1st VT Battery, (from the Vermont in the Civil War web site).
Other sites of interest:
The Civil War Artillery Page
