Historical Notes:
This regiment was organized with 9 companies from the 1st Artillery
Battalion on 25 MAR 1862. Company K was assigned on 12 APR 1862.
Company A (Sumter Artillery) served as light artillery and the remainder
of the regiment served as heavy artillery and infantry. Company A was
armed with four 12-lb. Napoleons on 3 MAY 1864.
The 1st Artillery Regiment participated in the Bombardment of
Ft. Sumter in April of 1861. It fought in the defense of Port Royal
in November of 1861. Members manned some of the guns that repelled
the Federal assault on Battery Lamar at Secessionville, June 1862.
It helped defeat the Federal Ironclad attack against Ft. Sumter in
1863. A battery of light guns defended the Confederate right
flank at Battery Wagner. When the Confederate garrison was withdrawn
from Charleston in February of 1865, the unit left Charleston with
1000 men and fought Sherman in SC and NC as infantry before
surrendering with the Army of Tennessee in May. The unit operated
heavy seacoast batteries, mortars, and light field artillery.
This regiment was surrendered by Gen. Joseph E. Johnston
at Durham Station, Orange County, NC on 26 APR 1865.
Officers:
Calhoun, William Ransom, Colonel. From Abbeville District. Died 15 SEP 1862
in a duel with Lt. Col. Alfred Rhett in Charleston, SC. It appears that Rhett then became Colonel of the regiment.
Ormsby Blanding, Major
Alfred Rhett, Major, Lieutenant Colonel, Colonel
Thomas M. Wagner, Lieutenant Colonel
Joseph A. Yates, Captain Co. A, later Major, Lieutenant Colonel
Assignments:
Artillery, Department of South Carolina, Georgia, (March - May 1862)
2nd Military District of South Carolina, Department of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida (May - June 1862).
Battles:
Secessionville (15 - 16 JUN 1862)
2nd Manassas VA (28 - 30 AUG 1862)
2nd Winchester (14 - 15 JUN 1863)
Charleston Harbor (AUG - SEP 1863)
2nd Fort Harrison VA (30 SEP 1864)
2nd Fort Fisher (13 - 15 JAN 1865)
Carolinas Campaign SC (FEB - APR 1865) Roster:
The roster of this unit contains the names of 3437 men.
Company A – Sumter Artillery
Company B
Company C
Company D - Pee Dee Light Artillery - Darlington County
Company E
Company F was organized in OCT 1861,
Company G was organized in NOV 1861
Company H was organized in FEB 1862.
Company I was organized in FEB 1862. Bibliography for Research: