Capt. Hart's Co. Horse Artillery, Volunteers (Washington Artillery)

Historical Notes:
Known as the Washington Artillery Volunteers and Hampton's Legion Artillery, this battery was more often referred to by the name of its second captain and known as "Hart's Battery." Made-up largely of men from Charleston, Orangeburg, Barnwell, Colleton, Beaufort and Bamberg Districts, the company was formed from a division of the Washington Artillery of Charleston. The newly organized Washington Artillery Volunteers had approximately fifty members on its rolls in less than a month following the bombardment of Fort Sumter. Composed largely of artisans and mechanics, the company of men soon sought out leadership that was "to be officered by men educated to the profession of arms." With this reassurance exhibited, the company's ranks were soon filled and efforts expedited in order to find a staff of worthy officers. In the meantime, in early June, the company was inspected and received as the "Washington Artillery Volunteers" as a part of the famous Hampton's Legion.

Several officers were solicited for the post to lead the company including Arthur Middleton Manigault (later colonel, 10th S.C. Infantry), William Cruger Heyward (later colonel, 11th S.C. Infantry), John B. Villepique, John Pegram, and other West Point graduates. The captaincy was finally placed in an offer to Captain Stephen Dill Lee. Then a member of General P.G.T. Beauregard's staff, Lee immediately signified acceptance of the post. However, due to his obligations with the quartermaster's department, Lee was unable to assume command until the company's arrival in Virginia.

On June 10 the company left Hampstead Mall, under an escort by the (1st) Washington, German and Lafayette Artillery, proceeded to Military Hall and was presented with "a handsome guidon." Following the brief ceremony, the proud new company made their way to Columbia where they arrived on the following day. On June 13, the Washington Artillery Volunteers were officially mustered into service with 147 men "rank and file." The company departed for Virginia on June 24, 1861.

Upon arrival in the suburbs of Richmond and camp made at Rockett's, the officers at once set to work on supplying the company. Armed initially (by the latter part of July) with pieces manufactured by the Tredegar Foundry (two rifled pieces with 3 ½ inch bores, and four 12-pounder howitzers), the battery was later supplied with a fine battery of four Blakely Rifles brought from England to Savannah, Georgia in November, 1861, aboard the steamerBermuda.

Detained from serving with the Hampton Legion at 1st Manassas due to failure to receive armament in time, the battery later served, mostly under the command of Hart, in several battles before being transferred with Hampton to the cavalry and ultimate service with the famous Stuart Horse Artillery Battalion. While in the service of this battalion, Hart's Battery saw service in a plethora of engagements under battalion commanders such as John Pelham, Robert Franklin Beckham, and Roger Preston Chew. In the long list of actions in which the battery was involved, Captain Hart was seriously wounded and replaced by the promotion of Halsey as the last battery captain.

Eventually attached to Butler's Division, Halsey's Battery followed several South Carolina cavalry regiments to serve in their native Palmetto State and North Carolina against the advance of William T. Sherman's menacing forces. The battery was eventually surrendered as a part of the Army of Tennessee with General Joseph E. Johnston at the Bennett House near Durham, North Carolina on April 26, 1865 and the survivors were given paroles on May 2, 1865 at Greensboro, North Carolina.

Notes by Robert H. Moore, II. Originally published on line at https://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Hills/1850/HartsSCBtty.html Officers:

Stephen Dill Lee - a West Point (USMA '54) graduate, S.D. Lee assumed command as first captain of the Washington Artillery but was promoted on November 8, 1861 to major and artillery battalion commander within the Hampton Legion. S.D. Lee was more popularly known for his service as artillery battalion commander in what he proclaimed as "Artillery Hell" near the Dunker Church at Sharpsburg/Antietam on September 17, 1862 and even more for his service as a Confederate general.

James Franklin Hart - A Graduate of the Citadel (SCMA), Hart was initially a lieutnant of C.S. Engineers. Enlisted with the Washington Artillery and promoted lieutenant, June 15, 1861. Promoted to captain at Lee's promotion to major, November 27, 1861. In the severe action at Burgess' Mill, Hart lost a leg, but was promoted to major, February, 1865.

E. Lindsey Halsey - A native of Charleston, Halsey assumed command following Hart's disabling wound, was promoted to captain and commanded the company through the close of its service with the surrender of Johnston in North Carolina on April 26, 1865.
Lieutenants:

Frank M. Bamberg, 1st Lt. (Orangeburg, S.C.)

S. Gilman Horsey, 1st Lt.

Warren R. Marshall, 1st Lt.

William T. Adams, 2nd Lt. (Beaufort, S.C.)

Jeremiah Cleveland, 2nd Lt. (Greenville, S.C.)

Paul Hamilton, 2nd Lt. & Adjutant

Philip W. Hutchinson, 2nd Lt.

Assignments:

service with the Stuart Horse Artillery Battalion

attached to Butler's Division

Battles:
Edisto Island SC (29 MAR 1862)
Seven Days Battles VA (25 JUN - 1 JUL 1862)
2nd Manassas VA (28 - 30 AUG 1862)
Sharpsburg VA (17 SEP 1862)
Stuart's Expedition into Maryland & Pennsylvania (9 - 12 OCT 1862)
Fredericksburg VA (13 DEC 1862)
Chancellorsville (1-4 MAY 1863)
2nd Winchester (14 - 15 JUN 1863)
Middleburg (19 JUN 1863)
Upperville VA (21 JUN 1863)
Hanover VA (30 JUN 1863)
Gettysburg PA (1-3 JUL 1863)
Bristoe Campaign (9 - 22 OCT 1863)
Mine Run Campaign VA (NOV - DEC 1863)
The Wilderness VA (5 - 6 MAY 1864)
Spotsylvania Court House VA (8 - 21 MAY 1864)
North Anna VA (23 - 26 MAY 1864)
Cold Harbor VA (1 - 3 JUN 1864)
Petersburg Siege VA (JUN 1864 - APR 1865)
Vaughan Road (1 OCT 1864)
Carolinas Campaign SC (FEB - APR 1865)
Roster:
The roster of this unit contains the names of 249 men.

Bibliography for Research:
U. S. Government Printing Office. Official Records of the American Civil War Davenport, IA. Eastern Digital Resources.

U. S. Government Printing Office. Official Records of the American Civil War - Naval Subset Davenport, IA Eastern Digital Resources.

Rigdon, John C. - Editor Civil War Soldiers Service Records - South Carolina. 2012. Davenport, IA Eastern Digital Resources.

Rigdon, John C. - Editor South Carolina Civil War Soldiers Index. 1996. Davenport, IA Eastern Digital Resources.