HAMPTON'S BATTERY F
1861-1865
Captain Robert B. Hampton
Captain Hampton began recruiting in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania for
his Independent Light Artillery Battery. Hampton's Battery F was mustered into
service on October 8th 1861 and was mustered out of service in Pittsburgh June 26th
1865. His Battery was referred to as the "Pittsburgh Battery" A detachment from the
battery was selected as Honor Guard to lead President Lincoln's funeral procession
from the White House to the train that carried his coffin back to Springfield, Illinois for
burial. Captain Hampton himself died at the Battle of Chancellorsville.
Lieutenant Edward Geary, Son of
General Geary
Lieutenant Edward Gary from Salem, Westmoreland County, was voted to offer its command to him by the
Battery in October of 1863. Captain Geary was only 18 years old when he was named Commander of
Hampton's Battery F. His father General John Geary carried his promotion to him in the field when the
Midnight Battle of Wauhatchie Tennessee which occurred on Oct. 29th 1863. General Geary found his
lifeless son among the scattered cannons and battered limbers and caissons and many teams of dead horses
in their harness. There where many other dead, none of which attracted his attention, but his son. Captain
Geary was never officially mustered into the unit, but the Battery survivors, however, had his name inscribed
on the Hampton Monument located on the North Side of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania (formerly Allegheny City
Pennsylvania.)
Captain James Thompson
James Thompson was born at Down, Ireland, May 8th 1821. He enlisted in the Royal Regiment Artillery
and was a gunner and driver. June 30th 1856 James was discharged from the Great Britain Royal Artillery
and immigrated to the United States.
James settled in Allegheny, Pennsylvania with his family and on October 9th 1856 his fourth child was born.
On September 24th 1861 Captain Thompson was mustered in to the Union Army and began recruiting for
his Battery. July 29th 1863 Captain James Thompson became a full citizen of the United States.
October 7th 1882 at the Twenty-first Anniversary of Hampton Battery Veteran Association, Captain James
Thompson was elected honorary member of the Association.
The Consolidation
The two Pennsylvania Independent Light Artillery Batteries C and F were simply reorganized to form a
six gun battery of 3-inch Ordnance rifles that would be able to keep fighting on, with Captain
Thompson as senior officer in grade after the death of Captain Hampton at Chancellorsville. This
consolidation lasted about one year till both batteries where reequipped and the ranks filled.
Capt. James Thompson had a battery of three–inch Ordnance rifles that represented a temporary and
“not altogether happy union between two Pittsburgh batteries” - Thompson’s Battery and Capt.
Robert B Hampton’s Battery F of the Independent Pennsylvania Light Artillery.
To learn more read McLaws Strikes the Peach Orchard  page 311 in the book Gettysburg – The
Second Day by Harry W. Pfanz
Original Hampton's Battery F Guidon
History by William Clark
Click on Book to open the entire book link
Note Book of Sergeant John C. Shaler "Center Section
Portion of Sergeant Shaler Note Book
Roster of his name and rank found in the book, History of Hampton's Battery F.
Oct. 1, 1862 Wednesday are encamped on Capitol Hill Washington City. The morning is clear and cool. Have been quite sick for
some time. Received a box from home containing flannels, books, buttons, preserves & etc. To pass way time we have a game of
ball this afternoon . . . Oct 10 - Morning cool and clouding with indications of rain . . . get an order to leave this place in the
morning at six o'clock to go to Maryland Heights near Harper's Ferry. Get four new recruits from -old Suosky- today . . . Oct 12 -
There is an alarm of rebels. We . . . on top of a hill and prepare to meet them. Find they are moving the same way we are and we
start again. Encamp near Hyattsville after making 15 miles . . .

Oct. 20 - . . . Letters from Pittsburgh for our section by Lieut. Atwell of Knapp's Battery. Oct. 23 - . . . Commence cutting logs to
build a hospital. Expect to put up quarters in a few days . . . Oct. 30 - Get unexpected orders to move at 10 o' clock and going to
Bolivar Heights. Cross pontoon bridge at Harpers Ferry. See a government balloon tied down in a ravine. The view from the heights
which we reached late in the afternoon is magnificent. One of the most desolate sights I ever saw is a large deserted camp here.
Nov. 8 - . . . Twenty men are detailed from each of three batteries on these heights (Hamptons, Knapps & McGilvery) to clear off
all the stumps to work daily till all are removed. Nov. 9 - We are waked this morning at 2 o'clock and am told to harness up and
draw two days rations as two sections of our battery and the same of two others are giving out on a reconnaissance for a couple of
days. Start at 3 o'clock chase in Rachel Pickets two miles from here. Reach Charleston at 9' O'clock take a number of the citizens
into custody. Continue the reconnaissance twelve miles and then rations. Scenes both amusing and revolting all along the road.
Reach camp after dark. Cold. Nov. 12 - There is a murmur in camp that we are to join Gen. Bank's naval expedition to Texas. Dec.
2 - We start with a division on a reconnaissance to Winchester expect to be away five days. Pass through Charlestown. Knapp's
battery dispenses a square of rebel cavalry who were charging on them. Dec. 28 - . . . About 10 o'clock ordered forward at a
double quick. The No. 1 guard of our section and a guard of Knapp's Battery Shell a piece of wood where some rebel cavalry and
supposed to be concealed, result not known. Gen. Slocum with us all day . . . Dec. 29 - A church near the road side set on fire by
some straggling soldiers. The wretches! Jan. 19, 1863 - Harness up at daylight for the march but do not start till 11 o'clock.
Departing of sick and discharged men start in the direction of Dumfries over an old road which seemed as if it had not been
traveled for years. By short moves and long stops we make but a few miles and go into camp early.
Sleuthing Leads To Finding Site Of Gettysburg's Hampton Battery Rock

Hampton's Independent Battery F was recruited in Pittsburg, Pa., in October 1861
and assigned with the Department of the Upper Potomac under General Nathan P. Banks.
After facing Stonewall Jackson's troops on Dec. 18 that year,
they were in the Valley Campaign and Second Bull Run
under the command of General John Pope.

The battery was at Antietam, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, where it lost its Captain, Robert Hampton.
At Gettysburg, as part of the Second Army Corps, the battery held two main positions. The first was at the
Peach Orchard where it fought for a long time before being forced back to a new position along Cemetery Ridge.
Battery member Pvt. Casper R. Carlisle received a Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions at Gettysburg.
On Sept. 11, 1889, veterans of Hampton's Battery dedicated their monument on Cemetery Ridge. Thirty-three
veterans posed for pictures at their new monument and a natural monument--a rock located in the rear of their
position.
The rock is a distinctive formation appearing to be a boulder on top of a boulder. During the battle, the men of
Hampton's Battery laid their wounded behind the rock for protective cover. After the battle the rock would
forever be known by the veterans as "Hampton's Battery Rock."
Photographs from reunions in the 1880s featured the rock. Copies were sent to members of veterans'
organizations. A photograph showing the rock was included in the regimental history. The background in 1889
showed open ground strewn with boulders.
Its specific location was never identified.
On a battlefield such as Gettysburg where natural rock formations play such an important role in identifying with
the drama that unfolded there, the monument dedicated with the blood of Hampton's Battery laid forgotten
somewhere in the battlefield. It was a lost opportunity for visitors to the battlefield to get a feeling for the battle
on that part of the field. With this in mind we set out to locate the Hampton's Battery Rock, if it still existed.
Taking the original picture and attempting to locate the exact position on the field was the first step. Positions at
the Peach Orchard and Cemetery Ridge had to be examined. The farm in the background of the photograph
could not be readily identified.
After some time it was determined that the farmhouse and barn were those of the Hummelbaugh family. The
direction from which the photo was taken is now grown up with trees and brush. Also, the National Park Service
maintenance building and equipment storage lot are located in the area.
We imagined that the battery rock had been destroyed. Furthermore, the large Pennsylvania Memorial was built
directly behind the Hampton's Battery Rock which might have been removed during construction. With high
hopes we searched through the woods between the park maintenance building and the Pennsylvania Memorial.
After fighting our way through thick brush and vines our hard work paid off. There stood the monument as it
appeared to the men who gave their last full measure in July 1863. The rock stood in the midst of trees, vines
and thick underbrush, but its distinctive characteristics were clearly evident.
The next step was to present our findings to the National Park Service, to try and convince those in authority
that this location should be cleared and the rock uncovered and identified for battlefield visitors.



























Will Hoffman and Tim Bennett visit Hampton's Battery Rock
which they located in underbrush at Gettysburg Battlefield.
The Park Service has cleared the area so that visitors can once again see the rock.
1889 reunion photo shows veterans of Hampton's Battery
visiting their rock at Gettysburg Battlefield.
On the back of the photo is inscribed, "Behind this rock our dead and wounded were placed."
(Editor's Note: The above account of the search of Timothy L. Bennett and Will Hoffman was submitted by
Bennett. Both Grove City, PA., residents had great-grand fathers in the war. In addition to their reenacting for
more than 20 years Bennett is a founding member of the St. Augustine, Fla. Civil War Round Table and the
Olustee Fla.,Union Memorial Committee. Hoffman is a member of the North-South Skirmish Association and a
Civil War collector.)
Source = The Civil War News ~ Civil War General News, Page 42, July1992 Issue
________________________________________
The rock is a distinctive formation that appears to be a boulder on top of a boulder. Behind the natural
monument is where the wounded were placed by the men of Hampton's Battery to protect them from the ongoing
battle. After the battle the boulders would forever be known by the veterans as "Hampton's Battery Rock". You
will find this formation behind the Pennsylvania State Monument in the now wooded area. The National Park
Service has cleared the area so that visitors can once again see the natural Monument of Hampton's Battery F.
Have fun finding it.
We owe our thanks to Will Hoffman and Timothy L. Bennett for finding this unique piece of 'History At
Gettysburg'.
1st Lieutenant Nathaniel Irish was promoted to Captain June 26th, 1863 and was referred
to as “Captain from Hampton’s Battery F” and was an Aid to Lieutenant Colonel
McGilvery at the Battle of Gettysburg.
Page 61 in The History of Hampton’s Battery F by William Clark.
F. McGilvery
“Lieutenant Colonel Commanding Brigade”
LATER, Captain Irish would take full command of Hampton’s Battery F when the two
Batteries were separated.
Monuments At Gettysburg
Gettysburg Pennsylvania July 2nd 1863

ORGANIZATION: 1st Volunteer Reserve Artillery Brigade.
RAISED: Allegheny County Pennsylvania.
MUSTERED: Battery C, Pittsburg Pennsylvania October 1861 and
Battery F, Camp Lamon, Williamsport, Maryland November 1861.
Consolidated on June 3, 1863.
COMMANDER: Capt. James Thompson (1821-1906)
MONUMENT'S & LOCATION:
1) Battery C: On south side of the Wheatfield Road in the Sherfy Peach Orchard, approximately 75 yards east of the
Emmitsburg Road.
2) Battery F: A few yards north of Battery C's monument.
Both markers represent the approximate position of two sections from Thompson's Battery, the third being in the Sherfy
farmyard
west of the Emmitsburg Road.
STRENGTH: 2 Companies, 105 Effectives
LOSSES: K-2, W-23, M-3. Total: 28. Percent Loss: 26.7
WEAPONS: Six 3-inch Ordnance Rifles.
Congressional Medal of Honor Award For action on July 2nd, 1863 Independent Batteries, C & F Consolidated, Private
Casper Carlisle, Company F.
SUMMARY: Two sections went into position in the Sherfy Peach Orchard near the present monuments, south of the
Wheatfield Road, facing due south, with one section going into position near the Sherfy Barn, facing due west, west of the
Emmitsburg Road. Held position in the Peach Orchard until nearly overrun, pulling back north of the Wheatfield Road and into
an oat field about 200 yards north of the monuments. The rise to the west helped conceal these guns from Barksdale's troops
along the Emmitsburg Road. All four rifles limbered to the rear, the last being done with only two wheel horses, a determined
driver, and Thompson tugging at a bridle.
The section in the Sherfy farmyard was overrun, and then recaptured by a desperate countercharge by a Pennsylvania regiment,
allowing the gunners the time needed to pull back safely. All six cannons retreated back to an impromptu artillery line being
formed 1200 yards northeast of the monuments. Five cannons engaged Barksdale's Mississippians as they crossed their front
heading northeast toward Plum to check their advance.

Source - Pennsylvania Units at Gettysburg Pennsylvania, Page 51


PRIVATE CASPER CARLISLE
RECIPIENT OF THE
MEDAL OF HONOR


'With only two wheel horses harnessed to his limber, one mortally wounded, and with Captain James Thompson, the Battery
Commander, tugging on his bridle, Private Carlisle pulled his rifled cannon away from the Wheatfield Road in the Peach
Orchard, and certain capture. Fired on from three sides, Carlisle and Captain Thompson nursed the dying horse along, north
past Bigalow's 9th Massachusetts Battery as it prolonged back toward the Trostle Farm. Carlisle reached the Trostle gate at
the lane where the wounded horse dropped dead. Aided by another caisson driver, Carlisle hitched two replacement horses to
his limber and pulled his gun east over Plum Run and into McGilvery's new artillery line.'
ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PA.
CARLISLE, CASPER R. - Born 1841 in Bakerstown, Richland Twp., Private, Company F, Independent Pennsylvania Light
Artillery (Hampton's Battery, so named for Capt. Robert B. Hampton, killed at Chancellorsville, Va. on May 3, 1863)
Gettysburg, Pa., 2 July 1863. Citation given: 21 December 1892. Saved a 1,000 pound, 3 inch cannon of his battery under
heavy musketry fire, most of the horses being killed and the drivers wounded. He and a comrade managed to get the gun to the
safety of the Trostle Farm Barn. The medal was requested by several of Carlisle's comrades at their 1888 reunion, and this
effort was supported by the official report of his Commanding Officer, Captain James Thompson. Casper Carlisle was a
member of the Lt. James Lysle GAR Post 128 at 128 Federal Street on Pittsburgh's North Side, and he died on April 29,
1908, at the age of 67. Carlisle is buried in the Mt. Lebanon Cemetery in Section 317; in 1991, Joe Pulgini and Wes Slusher
(Co-authors of "Allegheny County Medal of Honor Recipients") obtained a suitable headstone for the site. A monument to his
artillery company, dedicated on May 29, 1871, still stands on Cedar Avenue on the North Side of Pittsburgh. Carlisle lived in
several Pittsburgh locations, among them on Bedford Avenue, and on Reed and Mercer Streets in the Hill section.




Groveton and Bull Run.
AUGUST 16-SEPTEMBER 2, 1862.
CAMPAIGN IN Northern Virginia.
Hampton's performance
No. 16.--Report of Brig. Gen. Carl Schurz, U. S. Army, commanding Third Division, of the
battles of Groveton and Bull Run.

While this was going on the battery of the First Brigade, under Captain Hampton, was ordered to march along the outer edge of
the woods in which Colonel Schimmelfennig was engaged and to take position there, in order to protect and facilitate the
advance of my right; but the crossfire of two of the enemy's batteries was so severe that Captain Hampton's battery failed in
two successive attempts to establish itself until I sent Captain Roemer's battery to its support, the place of the latter being filled
by a battery brought from the reserve by General Steinwehr.
Drive south from Sudley Church on SR 234 1.2 miles to the park picnic area. Pull into either of the picnic sites. Federals using
route 234 (Sudley Road) reported coming under hostile artillery fire as they pulled off it to the west. On 29 August at 0600,
Krzyzanowski's Brigade of Schurz's Division deployed across this area as part of Sigel's first attack. Hampton's Battery (F,
Pennsylvania Light) set up beyond the latrine building in the middle of the field to support Krzyzanowski's attack.
The attacking Confederates were troops from Johnson's and Stafford's brigades of Starke's Division. They attacked through
Milroy into Nagle's rear. Hampton's Battery F, Pennsylvania Light Artillery tried to delay the attack.
Antietam, Maryland.
September 26 1862
Captain Hampton's battery was placed in position near the Dunkard Church and expended 217 rounds against the woods in
which said church is located.
The respective captains named speak in confident terms of the gallantry of their officers and men during the varied fortunes of
that day. The gallantry of the captains themselves has been established on this as well as on previous fields.
Captain Knap brought from the field on the 19th one iron 12-pounder howitzer and caisson abandoned by the enemy.
7:30am It has already been stated that Mansfield's Twelfth Corps passed the latter part of the night of the 16th September
about a mile in rear of Hooker. There are various statements as to the time when Mansfield was ordered forward, but it is quite
clear that his whole corps was engaged by, if not before, 7.30 A.M. Before he reached Hooker's position he received
information that Hooker's reserves were all engaged, and that he was hard pressed. He himself was killed during the
deployment of his corps, while examining the ground in front. General Williams succeeded to the command. There were in the
Twelfth Corps two divisions. Of the first, Crawford now took command. He had the brigades of Knipe and Gordon. Greene
commanded the second division, composed of the brigades of Tyndale, Stainrook, and Goodrich. The reports of the Twelfth
Corps division and brigade commanders make it plain that it went into action with only about seven thousand men, instead of
the ten thousand odd with which McClellan credits it. Very early in the advance, one brigade of Greene's division was sent to
the right to Doubleday. In the deployment, the First Division was to the right and front, with Knipe's brigade on the right and
Gordon's on the left. Greene's division was on the left of the First Division.
The attack was opened by Knapp's, Cothran's, and Hampton's batteries. The divisions moved together, but the First Division
was somewhat earlier in getting into action. As the First Division advanced, it found Hooker's men badly cut up and slowly
retreating from the historic cornfield, which lay between the pike and the East Woods, and the Confederates occupying almost
all the cornfield
Report of Captain Joseph M. Knap, Battery E, Pennsylvania Light Artillery, Chief of Artillery.
CAMP NEAR AQUIA CREEK, VA.,
May 7, 1863.
GENERAL: In compliance with the several orders from headquarters Army of the Potomac and corps and division
headquarters, I furnish the following report of action and casualties and loss of material and near Chancellorsville, Va.,
commencing on the 1st instant, my command comprising Knap's and Hampton's Independent Pennsylvania batteries, six guns
each:
On the 1st instant Knap's battery, under command of Lieutenant Atwell, advanced with the corps, firing about 60 rounds with
accuracy; the result not known.
During the evening of the same day the same battery, with two guns of Hampton's, assisted in repelling the attack on the front
and left of the position occupied by the Second Division of the Twelfth Corps without loss or accident to either. Number of
rounds fired, about 300.
On the morning of the 2nd, while endeavoring to stop the advance of the enemy on the left, a battery was brought to bear on
our flank, and four guns of Knap's were placed in position, which in about forty-five minutes succeeded in silencing the enemy,
exploding two of his caissons and dismounting one of his pieces. Two hundred rounds were fired, and 3 men and 3 horses of
Knap's wounded, and 1 horse of Hampton's killed.
During the afternoon of the same day, two guns of Knap's (Dunlevy's section) advanced with a portion of the division under the
command of Brigadier-General Kane, Lieutenant Atwell accompanying, having his other four guns in the rear, in readiness for
action. After firing 12 rounds of case shot, the section was ordered back; Lieutenant Atwell wounded in the left arm severely,
and one enlisted man mortally (since died).
During the evening our position, as originally, covered the division and left until the Eleventh Corps gave way. I then changed
four guns to cover the right, should occasion demand, thus bringing into action my entire command - twelve pieces.
At 3 a. m. Sunday, the 3rd, I was ordered to place Hampton's six guns near the headquarters of General Williams, on the right
of the Twelfth Corps, and at 4.15 a. m. was ordered to report with my other six guns (Knap's) to General Reynolds,
commanding First Corps, where they remained in position during the day, covered by earthworks we had erected as a
protection against musketry.
During the engagement of Sunday morning, Hampton's battery was hotly engaged for about three hours, and Captain Robert B.
Hampton fell, mortally wounded (died a few hours after), while gallantly performing his duty.
In this action, one caisson of Hampton's was exploded; a second was disabled; 1 enlisted man was killed, 7 wounded (3
seriously), and over 20 horses killed and disabled, which, with the harness, were lost, compelling him to abandon the third
caisson. No guns were lost. About 600 rounds were expended, and during the afternoon the battery was taken to the rear.
On the 4th, my battery was not engaged, and Hampton's, under Lieutenant Fleming, remained in the rear.
On the morning of the 5th, by order of General Hunt, I reported to Captain C. L. Best, chief of artillery, Twelfth Corps, at the
United States Ford, and found Hampton's had before reported and crossed the river.
During the afternoon, Knap's was placed in position, assisted by four guns of Thompson's Pennsylvania, on the peninsula below
the crossing, where it remained during the night. Being senior officer, I assumed command.
At early daylight, I found the enemy erecting a breastwork directly in our front, and ordered Captain Thompson to fire an
occasional shot to hinder his operations.
About 9 a. m. the enemy opened on us with two batteries, four guns on our right, angling about 40 degrees, at 1,200 yards
range. After a brisk fire for nearly an hour, we succeeded in silencing the battery in front, exploding two of his limbers, while
Thompson silenced the guns on the right.
My loss was 3 men wounded and 4 horses.
It gives me pleasure to testify to the good conduct and bravery of the officers and men in the two batteries under my command;
all did their duty nobly.
To Captain Elliott, ordnance officer of the division, credit is due for his gallant conduct in supplying the batteries with
ammunition under the hottest fire.
It is with regret I report the following casualties:
Command. Killed. Wounded. Killed. Wounded. Horses.
Knap's
(Pennsylvania) ........ 1 1 7 8
Battery
Hampton's
(Pennsylvania) 1 ........ 1 7 20
Battery
Total 1 1 2 14 28
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOS. M. KNAP,
Captain and Chief of Artillery, 2nd Div., 12th Army Corps.
Brigadier General JOHN W. GEARY,
Commanding Second Division, Twelfth Army Corps.
I have to lament the loss of many valuable officers, all of whom were killed in the discharge of their duties. Among them was
Colonel Stain-rook, One hundred and ninth Pennsylvania; Lieutenant-Colonel Scott, Third Wisconsin; Major Chapman,
Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania; Captain Hampton, Hampton's battery, and Lieutenant Crosby, commanding Battery F, Fourth
U.S. Artillery.
To these are to be added an artillery brigade, under command of Captain Knap, chief of artillery, consisting of Knap's
(Pennsylvania) battery, Lieutenant Atwell commanding, and Hampton's (Pittsburgh) battery, Capt. R. B. Hampton commanding.
The service has lost a brave and gallant soldier in the death of Capt. Robert B. Hampton, of Hampton's battery. At the
commencement of our operations he was attached to my command, but was temporarily detached on the evening of the 2d
instant, and ordered to the right of the First Division. While there, in the execution of his duty, he fell, mortally wounded, on the
morning of the 3d, and died within half an hour.
When I mention him as one of the bravest and most gallant officers of the service, I feel that I am scarcely doing justice to his
worth as a soldier and a gentleman.
I refrain, however, from mentioning the conduct of others upon an occasion when each one seemed to wish to excel his fellow
in prompt obedience and soldierly bearing.
Gettysburg
Gallant battery commanders, one badly wounded and amputating his own leg with a pen knife, another told to hold at all costs,
losing his battery to an overwhelming southern assault on the 2d day of battle, being wounded and taken to safety by his faithful
trumpeter, and finally to gallant, Medal of Honor winning, Alonzo Cushing, swearing to give Armistead's infantry 'one more
round' before being shot dead with the lanyard in his hand. None of the stories, however, is as stirring as the one of Hazlett's
battery being ordered to the crest of Little Round Top. The story of the men in both blue and grey who served the guns in the
largest battle ever waged on the North American continent. From Calef's horse artillery battery that rode with Buford,
through Pegram's Battalion and the Washington Artillery of New Orleans, and finally to the great preparatory cannonade that
failed to pave the way for Pickett's doomed attack on the third day of battle,
the tale is told of men and animals show served and pulled the guns and their supporting vehicles.
Gallant battery commanders, one badly wounded and amputating his own leg with a pen knife, another told to hold at all costs,
losing his battery to an overwhelming southern assault on the 2d day of battle, being wounded and taken to safety by his faithful
trumpeter, and finally to gallant, Medal of Honor winning, Alonzo Cushing, swearing to give Armistead's infantry 'one more
round' before being shot dead with the lanyard in his hand. None of the stories, however, is as stirring as the one of Hazlett's
battery being ordered to the crest of Little Round Top, an almost vertical face on the rear of the hill without roads or trails of
any kind. Calmly turning to his trumpeter to sound 'Forward' one can almost imagine the looks on the faces of his gunners and
NCOs as they launched their battery at the gallop to and at the eminence. Horses strained at the harness, gunners dismounted
to pull with the animals, now frothing at the mouth in their desperation to do their master's bidding. Finally, the battery's guidon
crests the hill, the guns cresting the ridge along with the panting artilleryman and the exhausted, trembling horses.
APRIL 27-MAY 6, 1863.--The Chancellorsville Campaign.
No. 259.--Report of Capt. Clermont L. Best, Fourth U. S. Artillery, Chief of Artillery.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
C. L. BEST,
Captain, and Chief of Artillery, Twelfth Army Corps
STAFFORD COURT-HOUSE, VA..,
May 10, 1863.
COLONEL: I have the honor to submit the following movements and operations of the artillery arm of the Twelfth Corps in the
interval of their departure and return to this point:
The corps broke camp on Monday morning, 27th ultimo, one battery, in accordance with orders, moving with each of the two
divisions--M, of the First New York Artillery, with the first, and Knap's (Pennsylvania) battery with the Second Division. The
remaining three batteries--Hampton's, K, First New York, and F, Fourth U.S. Artillery--were directed to remain and move
with the corps wagon train, and subsequently joined the command at Chancellorsville on Thursday, the 30th. Up to the time of
this junction I need say nothing of movements or operations of the artillery, since they were quite unimportant compared with
the trying times so near at hand.
On Friday, May 1, the corps commenced a cautious movement from Chancellorsville on the Plank road toward
Fredericksburg, one battery (and the same as previously mentioned) accompanying each division.
After proceeding about 2 miles, the enemy was felt, evidently in some force, and commenced disputing the advance with his
artillery. By direction of the general commanding, I advanced Knap's battery to a suitable point, opening a slow but effective
fire; posted Lieutenant Winegar's six guns suitably, and sent back for Battery F, Fourth U.S. Artillery, which soon came up, and
was posted near Knap's.
Soon after these dispositions the whole command was recalled to Chancellorsville. While retiring, the general commanding
directed me to proceed to Chancellorsville, and post the corps batteries in such positions for defense against the probable
following enemy as might be deemed judicious. Accordingly, I placed Knap's, Hampton's, and one section (under Lieutenant
Muhlenberg) of Battery F at the intersecting point at Chancellorsville of the roads leading to Fredericksburg, and the Other four
pieces of Battery F with Fitzhugh and Winegar, on the rising and open ground on the Gordonsville front. Thus we had fourteen
pieces on each front, on one or both of which the attack must occur, and did occur on both in the afternoon. The enemy was
effectually checked or repulsed in each case, Knap's battery being most engaged, and doing its work, as usual, well. A section
of Knap's battery was pushed down (a hazardous experiment) the Plank road without my knowledge, by order of General
Geary, among the enemy's skirmishers, but was soon recalled by the general commanding. Lieutenant Atwell was wounded in
this movement. Lieutenant Muhlenberg's light 12-pounders were of great service on this front during this and subsequent days,
sweeping the woods and road with their heavy fire, canister included. Lieutenant Muhlenberg behaved with great discretion and
gallantry during all the engagements, having at the last nearly all his cannoneers wounded and horses nearly all killed. I think he
well deserves the favorable consideration of the Government.
The batteries all maintained the positions specified until Saturday afternoon, when the Eleventh Corps was suddenly routed, and
came fleeing in disordered and bewildered masses toward Chancellorsville. Having no doubt the enemy would follow in force, I
gathered all our batteries, save Knap's and Lieutenant Muhlenberg's section, massing them on the ridge in rear of our First
Division, and posting in position with them some of the fragments of the Eleventh Corps batteries, until I had 34 guns in what
may be termed the key-point of the battle-field. The general commanding soon after came up, approved the disposition and
kindly authorized me to open fire whenever I deemed it necessary The necessity soon occurred, for there was no doubt that the
enemy was in force in the woods between 600 yards and a mile in our front. I was obliged to fire over the heads of our infantry
force, ranged in parallel lines about 500 yards in front. It was an operation of great delicacy, this cannonade of 34 guns over the
heads of our men, but it was a matter of necessity, and was promptly and fully executed.
Up to near 10 o'clock at night the cannonading at intervals was terrific, and, in my opinion, contributed much to checking the
bold and elated enemy. So far as I can learn, and I am happy to record it, not one of our men was killed by our fire, or, indeed,
wounded. That night I intrenched all my guns, the digging subsequently proving much protection.
Early Sunday morning, the enemy commenced the attack, evidently determined to carry that point, and all my batteries again
opening on their masses.
Here I beg leave to offer an opinion. Our position could not have been forced had the flanks of our line of guns been
successfully maintained. An important point--an open field about a mile to our left and front, guarded by a brigade of our troops
(not of the Twelfth Corps) and a battery--was seemingly taken by a small force of the enemy and the battery captured and
turned on us with fearful effect, blowing up one of our caissons, killing Captain Hampton, and enfilading General Geary's line. It
was most unfortunate. My line of guns, however, kept to its work manfully until about 9 a.m., when, finding our infantry in front
withdrawn, our right and left turned, and the enemy's musketry already so advanced as to pick off our men and horses, I was
compelled to withdraw my guns to save them. We were also nearly exhausted of ammunition.
While retiring, I was directed by the chief of artillery of the army to take the batteries to the brick hospital near the ford, to
replenish them, and to remain in person to take charge of all the batteries of our own and other corps there massed, where I
remained so engaged until Tuesday, the 5th, when General Hunt directed me to cross all the batteries, and select positions to
protect the recrossing of the army, which I did with about fifty guns, eighteen of our own being among the number, including
Captain Knap's, to whom I gave the most important point, and which he protected well.
Let the general commanding be assured I am well pleased with our artillery in these terrific conflicts from first to last, and I hope
he is.
To Captains Knap and Fitzhugh I am much indebted for valuable assistance, the battery of the former being almost constantly
engaged. They speak in high terms of their subordinate officers and conduct of their men, to which, as far as I can, I bear
cordial witness, and to whom I tender my admiration and thanks.
Lieutenant Smith, Battery M, First New York Artillery, assisted me much in the transmission of orders during Saturday and
Sunday. Lieutenant Winegar, in the desire to recover a lost caisson, rode into the enemy's line on Sunday afternoon and was
captured. Captain Hampton was wounded on Sunday morning about 8 o'clock, and died soon after. For the eighteen months in
which I have been associated with him I have found him, particularly in battle, brave and devoted to his duty.
Lieutenant Crosby, commanding Battery F, Fourth U.S. Artillery, was killed about 9 a.m. by a musket-ball while fighting his
guns. My pen almost refuses to record his untimely death. Young, ambitious, highly educated, efficient as an artillery officer,
unexceptionable in his habits and character, a Christian, practising as he believed, the service lost an officer of great value, and it
seems yet a dream that his gallant heart is hushed forever.
A list of casualties is herewith annexed.(*)
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
C. L. BEST,
Captain, and Chief of Artillery, Twelfth Army Corps.
Lieut. Col. H. C. RODGERS,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Twelfth Army Corp.

Reports from Commanders