Virginia's Richmond Howitzers
Brief History
Companies
1st Company
- accepted into Confederate service in June 1861.
- Its members were recruited in Richmond.
- After taking part in the Battle of First Manassas, the unit joined the Army of Northern Virginia and served in H. C. Cabell's Battalion.
- It participated in various conflicts from Williamsburg to Cold Harbor, then was active in the Petersburg siege south and north of the James River and around Appomattox.
- This battery contained 90 men at Gettysburg and surrendered with 12 on April 9, 1865.
- Captains Edward S. McCarthy, William P. Palmer, and John C. Shields were in command.
- R.M. Anderson's Company, Virginia Light Artillery
2nd Company
- organized in May 1861, and for a time served in the 1st Regiment Virginia Artillery.
- After becoming an independent command, it was assigned to J. T. Brown's, R. A. Hardaway's, and W. E. Cutshaw's Battalion of Artillery, Army of Northern Virginia.
- The unit served from Seven Pines to Cold Harbor, then participated in the siege operations against Petersburg and the Appomattox Campaign.
- It took 64 effectives to Gettysburg and surrendered with I officer and 45 men.
- Commanders were John T. Brown, Henry Hudnall, and David Watson.
- L.F. Jones' Company, Virginia Artillery
3rd Company
- Formed at the Baptist Seminary, Richmond, Virginia, in June 1861.
- It was attached to the 1st Regiment Virginia Artillery, then became an independent company.
- The battery was assigned to J. T. Brown's and R. A. Hardaway's Battalion of Artillery, Army of Northern Virginia.
- It served in the Richmond area, saw action from the Maryland Campaign to Cold Harbor, and participated in the siege operations against Richmond and the Appomattox Campaign.
- At Gettysburg the unit had 62 men engaged, but many were captured at Sayler's Creek on April 6, 1865.
- It was included in the surrender of the army.
- Captains Edgar F. Moseley, Benjamin H. Smith, Jr., and Robert C. Stanard were in command.
- B.H. Smith's Company, Virginia Light Artillery
4th Company
- Binford's Company, Virginia Volunteers