Independent Pennsylvania

Light Artillery

Established 1994

 
Welcome to Hampton's Battery Civil War Website

 

 

Our Mission Our Duty

Greeting from Captain Greg Hampton and welcome to Hampton’s Battery F.
We are re-enactors. Our goal is to enable an understanding of what it was like to be a
soldier in the Union Artillery during the American Civil War.
We do this not for the thrill of burning power and the recoil of the gun, but in memory
of those who blazed a path to our collective future. Through shot and shell, the men who we
represent today gave us the right to be born free and to enjoy the fruits of their sacrifice.
Our goal is therefore quit plain: To reenact their daily lives so that others will know of their
deeds. That is our motto. That is our mission. That is why we created and joined this
Battery.
For us to be successful, we must pay attention to the detail. We strive to do things the
way they did. From gun drill, to contents of our camp, to the uniforms and clothing we wear
and our mannerisms we convey to the public, we must adhere to the standards of the
period. I charge each and everyone to examine what you do and how you do it and always
ask, “Am I in contact with the original men and women of Battery F, Pennsylvania Light
Independent Artillery?”
This Battery, like its progenitor, is composed of volunteers drawn for all aspects of
our society. We are blessed to have directed descendants of Civil War veterans in our
battery–our link to the past as well as those who feel the connection in our souls. This is
our gift to the American people – something we wish to share.
Droit et Avant! (Right and Forward)

 

 

 


HEADLINE NEWS !...... Hampton's Battery........ is now the State Of Pennsylvania's Official Hampton's Battery F Civil War Unit..... Voted on by the State Senate.... Congratulations Hampton's Battery!





 

Hampton's Battery Unit History

Formed in 1994 by Robert Brown as a non-profit independent organization, we are a family oriented group who portray a Civil War Union Artillery Battery from the Pittsburgh Pennsylvania area.
We have members from all across the State with Headquarters based in Spring Mills, Pa.  
We participate in various Living History and Battle Reenactment events throughout Pennsylvania and other states. We are currently recruiting new members to be a part of our active gun crew and or civilian family.
If you are interested in Civil War history, and like to have fun, then consider giving us a try. Spend a weekend at an event with us and see if you enjoy yourself like you never have before. Inside this site you will find much information about the group; who we are, who and what we portray, what we do and why. Check out all the links, then give us an email or phone call.
We will be happy to answer any questions that you may still have. Hopefully you will come away from this site with some knowledge and education about Hampton's Battery and possibly become a new member of the Hampton's Family ! ENJOY !


 


              Email

Hampton's Battery F

                                                                              
Captain Robert J. Brown
379 Paradise Road , P.O. Box 46
Spring Mills, PA 16875-0046
 

Telephone ~ (814) 349-8189

            

                                  

Captain/1st Lieut. Robert Brown Operates Gun # 1. Bob has been reenacting for over 15 plus years and goes above and beyond the call of duty to make sure the history of Hampton's Battery is known. Whether its firing the Cannon at various cemeteries on memorial day or deploying the gun in the field of reenacting/living history, Bob gets the job done and is a professional. Hampton's practices 100% safety on the gun and everyone is thoroughly trained and retrained regularly in rules of the National Civil War Artillery Association.
Bob and Joyce's son Jimmy, Hampton's color bearer had  just earned the rank of Corporal in the above picture. Jimmy has an extensive collection of artillery and scale model replicas of civil war guns! He also has a collection of military items that he proudly displays at events.

                                              



 
Welcome to Hamptons battery f
Final stand... as the rebels overtook and captured his guns... Give them shell! Give them solid shot! Damn them, give them anything! The Last Confederate line of South Carolina charged the Peach Orchard and " with frightful effect " killed or wounded many of the artillerymen in Gettysburg.
Welcome to Hampton's battery f

Gettysburg at the Peach Orchard

As the picture pans across the screen it begins by looking East on U.S. Avenue towards the Wheatfield with Big Round Top in the distance.You will pan in the direction of the Emmitsburg road towards the old Confederate lines.Then you begin to look west beyond the trees of the Peach Orchard, and the monument of Hampton's Battery appears. Beyond the monument is the Emmitsburg road heading northeast towards the town of Gettysburg.The Sherfy Farm is along the road and the 114th Pa. Zouaves monument that was damaged, is located there on what was the 3rd Corps. right flank.

Gettysburg.
Welcome to Hamptons battery

Typical Union Artillery Battery shown Below in the Civil War.



Click here for  Misfire Instructions Site.

  


Part of original Diary of Corporal John C. Shaler

( Center Section of guns, Hampton's Battery )

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.

Welcome to Hampton's battery


 Captain Greg Hampton during a wreath laying ceremony at Hampton's Battery Monument at the Peach Orchard in Gettysburg.

Hampton's Battery reenacting unit is proud to have a first person impression by Captain Greg Hampton. Greg is a descendant of Robert Hampton who organized Hampton's Battery in 1861.

 

More news on Hampton Battery members coming up soon.