Formed originally in Danville, Pittsylvania County, Virginia under command of Captain Lindsay M. Shumaker, the Danville Artillery came into service April 22, 1861. Receiving their baptism of fire in the unsuccessful West Virginia Campaign and dealing with an embarrassing internal conflict of their own. Reorganized on April 21, 1862 with Captain George W. Wooding as captain, the battery trudged on to brighter days of victory with Stonewall Jackson in the Shenandoah Valley. From the Valley, the battery followed Jackson through another year of battles. Following the action at Sharpsburg, the ranks of the battery were revitalized when the men and equipment of the disbanded Eighth Star New Market Artillery, joined the ranks. Following the reorganization, the battery was in action again at Fredericksburg, where Captain Wooding was killed, and up to Jackson's last great tactical feat at Chancellorsville. Now under the command of Robert S. Rice, the battery continued to suffer heavier casualties with each battle. Serving in Shumaker's and McIntosh's Battalions of Artillery, the battery closed out its days under the command of Captain Berryman Z. Price. A few men were on the rolls of those who surrendered at Appomattox in April, 1865.
Source: The Danville, Eigth Star New Market and Dixie Artillery by Robert H. Moore II
Danville Light Artillery was organized at Danville, Virginia, during April, 1861, with men from Pittsylvania County. It participated in Lee's Cheat Mountain Campaign and Jackson's Valley operations, then served with L.M. Shumaker's and D.G. McIntosh's Battalion, Army of Northern Virginia. The battery took an active part in the campaigns of the army from the Seven Days' Battles to Cold Harbor, was involved in the Petersburg siege south of the James River, and ended the war at Appomattox. It reported 1 killed and 3 wounded at Gaines' Mill and Malvern Hill, had 2 killed and 3 wounded during the Maryland Campaign, and lost 13 wounded at Fredericksburg. The unit had 3 wounded of the 114 engaged at Gettysburg and 8 wounded during the Briscoe Campaign. On April 9, 1865, it surrendered 4 officers and 79 men. Captains Berryman Z. Price, R. Sidney Rice, Lindsay M. Shumaker, and George W. Wooding were it's commanders.
Source: Units of the Confederate State Army by Joseph H. Crute, Jr.
Soldier's Notes
Danville Artillery
Descendants Roll Call
If you are a descendant or family member of a soldier of the Danville Battery and would like to be listed on the Descendants Roll Call, please send an e-mail by clicking the mail icon below. Type "Danville Artillery" in the subject line and provide details in the message.
Important Links
Danville Artillery Reenactors |
Virginia Sons of Confederate Veterans |
Pamplin Historical Park & National Museum of the Civil War Soldier
|
Two Brothers: One North, One South by David H. Jones |
The Final Battles of the Petersburg Campaign by A. Wilson Greene
|
Return to Petersburg Breakthrough.Org
Copyright 2009-2010. PetersburgBreakthrough.Org. Updated 22 August 2010
