2nd Battery, Vermont Light Artillery

Historical Sketch:
The 2nd Battery, Vermont Light Artillery was organized at Brandon and mustered in December 24, 1861. Moved to Lowell, Mass., December 24; thence to Boston February 4, 1862. It embarked on Steamer "Idaho" for Ship Island, La., February 6, arriving there March 8. It suffered 1 died of wounds, 47 died of disease, and 1 died in Confederate prisons, at total of 54 deaths. Other losses included 73 honorably discharged, 6 promoted to other organizations, 121 transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps or other organizations, and 19 who deserted. The battery suffered 7 men wounded, and 12 taken prisoner. Officers:
Lensie R. Sayles was the batteries first captain, but he resigned within two months. Pythagorus E. Holcomb, of Ohio, assumed command of the battery in Sayles' stead, but was promoted to major in the 1st Texas Cavalry in August 1863. He was replaced by John W. Chase, for whom the battery is named. Assignments:
Attached to Phelps' 1st Brigade, Dept. of the Gulf, to December, 1862. Artillery, 3rd Division, 19th Army Corps, Array of the Gulf, to August, 1863. Garrison Artillery, Port Hudson, La., to July, 1865. Service:
Operations against New Orleans, La., April 11-May 2, 1862. Occupation of New Orleans May 2 (the first Union Battery to enter the city). Duty in New Orleans until May 31, and at Camp Parapet until October 31. Expedition to Pass Manchac July 25-August 2. Duty at New Orleans October 31 to December 26. Expedition to Galveston, Texas, December 26, 1862, to January 3, 1863. Action at Galveston January 1, 1863. Duty at New Orleans until March. Expedition to Port Hudson, La., March 7-20. At Baton Rouge until May. Advance on Port Hudson May 18-24. Action at Plain's Store May 21. Siege of Port Hudson May 24-July 9. Assaults on Port Hudson May 27 and June 14 Surrender of Port Hudson July 9. Jackson, La., August 3. Garrison and guard duty at Port Hudson until July, 1865. Expedition to Clinton July 28, 1864. Non-Veterans mustered out September 30, 1864. Battery moved to Vermont July 7-20, 1865, and mustered out July 31, 1865. ROSTERS:

The composite rosters of this unit contain the names of 805 men.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Benedict, George C. Vermont in the Civil War: A History of the Part Taken by Vermont Soldiers and Sailors in the War of the Union, 1861-1865. 2 Vols. Burlington, VT: Free Pr Assn, 1888. E533B46v2. Reprint 2009. Eastern Digital Resources.

Burnell, George W. "The Development of Our Army." In War Papers (MOLLUS, WI, Vol. 2). Milwaukee, WI: Burdick, Armitage & Allen, 1896. pp. 70-80 (6 photocopied pages). E464M5.1991v47.

Dyer, Frederick H. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion. 2003. Cartersville, GA Eastern Ditital Resources.

Vermont. A & IGO. Revised Roster of Vermont Volunteers Who Served in the Army and Navy of the United States During the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865. Montpelier, VT: Watchman, 1892. pp. 379-408. E533.3V53. (Contains a roster of the regiment).

Waite, Otis F.R. Vermont in the Great Rebellion: Containing Historical and Biographical Sketches.... Claremont, NH: Tracy, Chase, 1869. E533W3. See pp. 77 & 210-15 (3 photocopied pages) for a roster of officers a brief regimental history.
REFERENCES:
Dyer, Frederick H. - A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion
The Union Army by Federal Publishing Company, 1908 - Volume 1