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Part of Civil War @ Charleston Website
Contents of this Page:Image, left - Member of the German Light Artillery, Charleston, SC 1861
The German Light Artillery was formed of Charlestonians of German decent in December 1860. On the afternoon of December 27th, one Company of the German Artillery along with several other units occupied Fort Moultrie. A new company was raised incorporating the original German Artillery Militia and new members and on the 22nd of August 1861 the German Artillery was mustered into the Confederate forces as a company of infantry know as the "German Volunteers". This unit was assigned to Hampton’s Legion as Company "H" of the Infantry Battalion. It left Charleston on the 10th day of September 1861, by rail to Virginia.
The company was escorted to the Railroad Depot by other elements of German Volunteer Militia Companies and was presented with a Flag, the handiwork of the German ladies of Charleston. On arrival in Virginia it was found that it was not permissible for a single company to have a flag, therefore the flag was left in Richmond. General Wade Hampton purchased a stand of English Enfield rifles and two rifled Field Pieces at his own expense. He offered the rifles as a prize to the company of his Legion adjudged the best drilled in competitive drill. The contest was narrowed down to the Washington Light Infantry and Company H (German Volunteers). It was adjudged that the former excelled in the skirmish drill and the latter in the other parts of the exercise. It was settled by the rifles being given to company A (Washington Light Infantry) and the two rifled field pieces going to Company H(German Volunteers), which, was transformed into a light battery as company B, Hampton Legion Artillery (The German Light Artillery).
On expiration of the Legions twelve month enlistment, the reorganization caused the unit to leave the Legion and was assigned to Pender’s Brigade of A.P. Hill’s Division on 22nd June 1862. On July 28th it was then assigned to Hood’s Texas Brigade, in the infantry of which we find the infantry battalion of the Hampton Legion. When Hood was promoted to command of a division, this battery, Hugh Garden’s Battery and two North Carolina Batteries, Latham’s and Reilly’s constituted the artillery battalion of the division. It served with distinction in the Sharpsburg/Antietam Campaign and was cited in reports for its cool bravery in August of 1862.
After Gettysburg, troops from the Army of Northern Virginia were sent to other parts of the Confederacy. The German Light Artillery was sent to South Carolina and stationed near Pocotaligo, S.C., on the Charleston and Savannah Railroad.
Until this time, the officers connected with the raising of the company had declined all promotions, but the exigency of the service at least required it. Captain Bachman was finally promoted to the command of a battalion of artillery in some other command and James Simons became the battery commander until the end of the war.
The company participated in the campaigns of the Army of Northern Virginia up until after Gettysburg. These actions included the battles of the Seven Pines, the seven days battles around Richmond, Second Manassas, Boonesboro Gap, Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg, Coosawhatchie and Talifinny. When the troops were withdrawn from South Carolina the company when with the other troops from the department and concentrated in North Carolina. At Fayetteville, N.C. the company was temporarily attached to General Wade Hampton’s Cavalry command and with it participated in the affair at Fayetteville. It was also present with the army at Averysboro and Bentonville, S.C.
When it became apparent that the army under the command of General Johnston would be surrendered, it was ordered to report to General James Conner at Camden, South Carolina. Upon arriving at Camden, it was ascertained that all Confederate Armies had surrendered, the unit disbanded and made it’s way home to Charleston. The unit members were never paroled, and were told that if they were needed prior to the expiration of their enlistments, they would be notified. A proud unit to the end, The German Light Artillery, never surrendered.
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In the Summer of 1997, Lt. Steve Riggs, assisted by other members of the unit, completed construction of a new, full scale 3 inch ordnance rifle. The finished gun and equipments weigh over 1500 pounds. The gun is accompanied by a historcally accurate limber chest. It is believed that this gun is the first new Civil War artillery peice constructed in Charleston since the end of the war. Work on the gun began with purchase of the limber chest parts in May of 1997 and was substaintially completed when the tube was mounted for the first time on the completed carriage on September 6, 1997. Over 250 hours of labor was applied to the project by members of the unit, assisted by other reenactors.
The unit is currently working on acquring a limber and harness for limited operations as horse artillery. Kipp Valentine directs the units mounted operations.
The reenactment unit is also currently building a cohorn mortar for service in the field in Spring of 1998.
The unit paticipates in Battle Reenactments, school presentations, living history events and other activities to inform and educate the public about the role of artillery in the war. A report on the units actions at the Sharpsburg Reenactment in September 1997 is online.
The German Light Artillery Reenactors, Inc., a non profit educational group devoted to recreating the history of one of Charleston, SC's Civil War artillery companies is available for public appearances and gatherings such as conventions, parties and sales events. The organization will bring its full scale, 3 inch Ordnance Rifle with implements and a uniformed crew of five men (Federal or Confederate) to your event. Presentation content is flexible, but can include oral presentations on Charleston's history during the Civil War featuring first person accounts of artillery operations here in the real words of the historic people who have left their accounts and recollections, artillery drill and practice, detailed technical discussions of artillery operations and Civil War camp set ups.
For areas with a clear field of fire of sufficient size (subject to approval by our officers and local law enforcement) the canon can be fired several times as a signature salute for your event. Participants wishing to pose with the canon and equipment for photographs or videotape can be accommodated. Reproduction uniforms are available for this purpose, allowing participants to return home with an image depicting them in historic glory. Prices for a presentation vary with the location, length and complexity of the activities required. Two hundred dollars covers the cost of a one hour appearance of canon and crew in the immediate Charleston area and the firing of a salute of three shots. With the cooperation of other local reenactment units presentations up to and including a full Civil War skirmish with Artillery, Cavalry and Infantry are available.
Funds raised by these presentations go to defray the expenses of the German Light Artillery's educational programs and for historic preservation projects.