Virginia's Giles Light Artillery

Brief History

• Organized in May and June, 1861
• The unit served in Western Virginia, then moved to Tennessee. Here it was captured in the fight at Fort Donelson in February, 1862. When exchanged, the unit returned to Virginia and participated in the Maryland Campaign.
• Later it was attached to the Department of Richmond, assigned to A. W. Stark's Battalion of Artillery, and aided in the defense of Petersburg.
• The company took part in the Appomattox Campaign and surrendered with no officers and 66 men.
• Captains David A. French and William McComas.
• Also called Pearisburg Reserves
• AKA - French's Company, Virginia Light Artillery or McComas Battery

Companies

Men raised in Giles County.

• The Civil War Soldiers and Sailors database lists 151 men on its roster for French's Company, Virginia Light Artillery.