OHIO STATEWIDE FILES - HISTORY of 1st Light Battery Wisconsin (published 1908)
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April 15, 1999
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                     Regiment History      
               First Light Battery WISCONSIN
                         (3-YEARS)

First Light Battery. -Capts., Jacob T. Foster, Daniel Web-
ster; First Lieuts. Alexander Cameron, Daniel Webster, Os-
car F. Nutting, John D. Anderson, Charles B. Kimball; Se-
cond Lieuts., Albert W. Bishop Charles B. Kimball, Oscar 
F. Nutting, Ephraim L. Hackett, Edward P. Aylmer, Edwin E. 
Stewart. This battery was organized at La Crosse in Sept. 
1861,and was mustered in Oct.10.It rendezvoused at Racine 
from early October until Jan. 23, 1862, when it left the 
state. It encamped at St. Louis until April 3 and then 
joined Gen.Morgan's expedition to Cumberland Gap,hauling 
the Parrott guns by hand over the steep passes.In August 
it assisted in repulsing the enemy in a fight at Tazewell; 
assisted in the defense of Cumberland Gap until Sept. 17, 
and then joined the forces under Gen.Fox in Virgina. In 
Dec.1862 it joined Sherman's forces at Memphis and started 
toward Vicksburg.It did effective work at Chickasaw Bluffs 
and also in the reduction of Arkansas Post, where the work 
of the right section of the battery won from Gen.Osterhaus 
this praise: "The reduction of the lower casemate (of the 
fort) and the silencing of 3 or 4 formidable guns are their 
exclusive merit. " It remained at and about Vicksburg until 
spring and at the battle of Port Gibson it dismounted 4 of 
the enemy's guns and cut to pieces the celebrated Virginia 
battery, its fire being most effective. It participated at 
Champion's Hill;was engaged at the Big Black River the fol-
lowing day; bore a prominent part in the first assault at 
Vicksburg, doing terrible execution, and continued to per-
form excellent service during the entire siege. During the 
Vicksburg campaign the battery fired over 12,000 rounds, 
its 20-pounder Parrotts becoming so worn as to be unservice-
able and were replaced with 30-pounders. After the fall of 
Vicksburg it aided in the reduction of Jackson. The battery 
was attached to the 13th army corps, Department of the Gulf, 
and in December, joined the forces at New Orleans, where it 
was equipped as horse artillery.An inspecting committee said 
of it:"A more self sustaining, selfreliant body of men cannot 
be found in the U. S. Army." It covered Banks' retreat in the 
Red River expedition in April, 1864 and was in the engagement 
at Alexandria in May.In October 80 of the battery, whose term 
of service had expired,left for home,their places being filled 
by reenlistments and recruits. Capt. Foster was commissioned
lieutenant-colonel of the 1st Wis. heavy artillery, and Lieut. 
Webster was advanced to the captaincy. On Nov. 26 the battery
accompanied a cavalry expedition to West Pascagoula, Miss., 
but returned to New Orleans and Baton Rouge and remained there 
until ordered home. It was mustered out at Milwaukee July 7, 
1865. Its original strength was 155. Gain by recruits, 112; substitutes,
2; reenlistments 34; total, 303. Loss by death, 
22; desertion, 7; transfer, 14; discharge, 48; mustered out, 
212. 
Source: The Union Army, vol. 4, p. 77 

The Union Army A History of Military Affairs in the Loyal States 1861-65
-- Records of the Regiments in the Union Army -- Cyclopedia of Battles -- 
Memoirs of Commanders and Soldiers. 8 vols. 
Madison: Federal Publishing, 1908.


Bob


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