CONFEDERATE LOUISIANA TROOPS
Washington Battalion, Louisiana Artillery
- Overview:
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Washington Artillery Battalion was organized in 1838 and fought in the Mexican War. It
then was known as the "Native American" Battery. Reogranized in 1852 as the Washington
Artillery, it was mustered into Confederate service on May 26, 1861 with five companies. The
1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Companies fought at First Manassas and in the difficult
campaigns of the Army of Northern Virginia from Seven Pines to Gettysburg. They were involved at Drewry's Bluff and Cold Harbor, then participated in the Petersburg siege south and north of
the James River and the Appomattox Campaign. The battalion lost
4 killed and 26 wounded during the Maryland Campaign, had 3 killed and 22 wounded at Fredericksburg, and of the 329 engaged
at Gettysburg, eighteen percent
were disabled. On April 9, 1865, only 3 officers and 22 men were present. The 5th Company
fought at Shiloh, was active in the
Kentucky Campaign and the Battle of Murfreesboro, then moved to Mississippi.
Later it participated in the campaigns of the Army of Tennessee from Chickamauga to Nashville and in 1865 shared in the defense
of Mobile. The company lost 1 killed and 4 wounded at Murfreesboro, had 5 officers and 132
men fit for duty in January, 1863, and reported 10 killed and 20 wounded at Chickamauga. It
totalled 118 men in December, 1863, and 116 in April, 1864. Most of the unit was captured
when Mobile fell, but a small number surrendered at West Point, Georgia, in mid-April, 1865.
The field officers were Colonel James B. Walton, Lieutenant Colonels Benjamin F. Eshlman and
William M. Owen, and Major Merrit B. Miller.
- Soldiers:
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