Battery A saw action in the Second Seminole War of 1837-42, and under James Duncan played a significant part in defeating numerically far superior forces at the battles of Palo Alto and Buena Vista in the Mexican War of 1846-48.
From the outbreak of the Civil War in April 1861 the battery was actively involved - first protecting the Arsenal in Washington and also taking part in the expedition to relieve Fort Pickens in Pensacola Bay, Florida, then in July, Battery A took part in the early stages of the battle of 1st Manassas(Bull Run).
In the Spring of 1862 the battery played a significant part in the advance up the Richmond peninsula and in the seven days of battle covering the withdrawal. In September, attatched to the Cavalry Corps, the battery was involved in "the bloodiest single day of the war" at the battle of Antietam, and at the close of the year, they participated in the battle of Fredericksburg.
In the Spring of 1863, the Battery rode with General Stonemans's Cavalry on a raid deep behind enemy lines, destroying several sections of railroad and equipment, bridges, part of the James Canal, and coming within two miles of Richmond.
On July 1st 1863, it was Battery A who fired the opening Union artillery rouns at the battle of Gettysburg as, with Buford's cavalry troopers they bought time for the main Union forces to get into position on Culp's Hill and Cemetery Ridge.
In May of 1864 the battery fought through the terrible battles of the Wilderness and Spotsylvania, and in June, the defeat at Cold Harbour.
From then until the Spring of 1865 siege operations against Richmond and Petersburg alternated with supporting the Cavalry in numerous actions. Finally, with the Confederate retreat from Petersburg, the Battery was in action nearly every day up until Lee's surrender at Appomattox on April 9th 1865.
Battery history compiled by Andrew Rose
