The battery began its existence as “Kennedy Light Artillery.” The battery was originally raised in Beaufort County in September 1861 by Rev. Charles Jones who became Captain. The battery was mustered into service at Washington, NC October 14, 1861 as “Capt. Charles P. Jones’ Company Light Artillery N.C. Volunteers.” It initially served as an independent battery and later as 36th NC State Troops, Co. D (2nd NC Artillery Regiment). On April 21, 1862 the battery was reorganized and elected 1st Lt. Zachariah T. Adams as Captain, and thus became known as “Adam’s Battery.” When the 36th was finally organized by State Order 247, Headquarters District of the Cape Fear on May 12, 1862, the battery became 2nd Co. G, being the second of three companies so designated as such in the Regiment.
On November 4, 1863, the battery was reassigned and redesignated as 13th Battalion NC Light Artillery, Co. D. The Battalion was organized with six companies by State Order 66, Adjutant General’s Office.
The battery was ordered to Fort Fisher on Nov 23, 1864 and was stationed at Batteries Purdy and Bolles. During the first attack on the Fort, Dec. 24-25, 1864, the battery saw action as both light and heavy artillery. Only the men manning the two 32-pdr rifles in Battery Bolles fired on the Federal Fleet on the 24th, but on the next day the famous 150-pdr Armstrong gun at Battery Purdy joined in the fight. The men in Battery Bolles were relieved and sent to the main sally port to fire on enemy sharpshooters with their 12-pdr Howitzers.
The Battery remained at Fort Fisher after the Union repulse and took part in the Jan 15, 1865 defense in the Main Sally Port position. All of the Battery’s field pieces and horses were captured, along with the majority of the men. Those that did escape before the Fort fell were ordered to Fort Lee to man the heavy guns there on Jan 16. Because of this new assignment, the Battery was officially changed from light to heavy artillery service.
The Battery remained at Fort Lee under the command of Col. Peter C. Gaillard until Wilmington was evacuated on Feb 22, 1865. The Battery was attached to Brigadier General Johnson Hagood’s Brigade, Major General Robert F. Hoke’s Division. The Division retired to the Northeast River where it was engaged in a heavy skirmish. From there the Battery moved from Duplin Cross Roads to Rockfish Creek and then to Kinston. From there they fought Jackson's Mills and Wise's Forks, March 6 and 8, and then at Bentonville.
At Bentonville the battery was vigorously engaged on the 19th and suffered heavy casualties. The survivors retreated with General Joseph E. Johnston’s Army on March 21 to Raleigh and then to Greensboro where it surrendered with the rest of the army on April 26, 1865.
The artillery pieces we have are 3 full scale guns, A 6 pounder,a 3 inch Ordinance Rifle, and a 2.9 Confederate Parrot Rifle. The unit also galvanizes as Battery E, 3rd U.S. Artillery. Please contact us if you are wanting to preserve a part of American history and if you want to make new friends at reenactments and be in one of the best Artillery Units around, we are also family oriented so bring out the wife and kids to enjoy a fun filled weekend to be able to live as our forefathers did for a couple days.
The Battery has been reactivated and is headquartered in Long Beach, NC and has members from the surrounding areas of Southport, Wilmington, Kure and Carolina Beaches as well as other areas of NC. The Battery is also a member of Longstreet's Corps. If you would like information on joining the unit please e-mail us at visitus@southport.net or write to:13th Battalion, 310 E. Nash St., Southport, NC 28461
Sign Guestbook
View Guestbook
Links to other sites on the Web
Get your own Free Home Page
