OHIO FIRST LIGHT ARTILLERY (BATTERY E, 'RANSOM'S') (Three Years)

First Light Artillery. (Three Years' Service.) Cols., James Barnett, Charles S.Cotter; Lieut.-Cols., William H. Hayward, Walter E. Lawrence; Majs., Seymour Race, William P. Israel, Andrew J. Konkle, Warren P. Edgarton, Daniel T. Cockerill, Frederick Schultz, Wilbur F. Goodspeed. This regiment was organized at Ravenna, Cincinnati, Camp Dennison, Cleveland, Columbus and Camp Chase from Aug. 6, 1861, to June 4, 1862, to serve for three years. Battery A left in Sept., 1861, for Louisville, Ky., receiving its equipment at Cincinnati while on the march. It made several laborious marches during its first year of service, but it did not participate in actual hostilities until the fall of 1862, when at Dog Walk, Ky., a portion of the battery was engaged. It performed effective service throughout the entire battle at Stone's river until the last gun was disabled by a shot from the enemy, and then the officers and men aided in working other batteries on the field. It participated in the movement on Tullahoma, fought at Hoover's and Liberty gaps, and accompanied Gen. McCook over Sand mountain. It took part in the battle of Chickamauga and did some of its best fighting on those eventful days, but not without the loss of 17 men killed and wounded. It entered Chattanooga with the army and aided in the defense of that place. It reenlisted, and after the 30-days' veteran furlough returned and participated in the whole of the Atlanta campaign. From Atlanta it went back to Chattanooga and thence to Columbia, at which point it was engaged with the Confederates under Gen. Hood. Battery B was mustered into the service Oct. 8, 1861 with an aggregate strength of 147 men. By order of Gen. O. M. Mitchel it left Cincinnati to report to Gen. George H. Thomas, then in command at Camp Dick Robinson, Ky. The first experience it had in the field was a brisk little affair at Camp Wild Cat, in which it fired 12 rounds and silenced one of the enemy's guns. It took part in the battle of Mill Springs and performed very effective service. At the battle of Perryville it had a position on the right wing of the army, but was not engaged. On Dec. 26 it moved with its brigade and division toward Murfreesboro, skirmishing heavily with the enemy in and around La Vergne. It bore its part throughout the battle of Stone's river, losing 17 men, killed, wounded and missing, and 21 horses killed. It remained near Murfreesboro up to June 24 and then joined in the advance of the Federal forces on Tullahoma, marching with the left in Gen. Crittenden's corps. On the second day of the battle of Chickamauga the battery was charged by a large body of the enemy, but succeeded at first in beating them off; but a second charge overwhelmed the battery and it was compelled to leave 2 of its guns in the hands of the foe. In this charge several members of the battery were wounded and captured. The battery was cooped up with the rest of the army in Chattanooga, suffering all the privations of that siege, and participated in the battle at that place. Battery C was organized and mustered into the U. S. service on Oct. 8, 1861, and left camp under orders to report to Gen. George H. Thomas at Camp Dick Robinson Ky. It joined the expedition which resulted in the battle of Mill Springs and the defeat of the Confederate Gen. Zollicoffer, there doing some effective firing. In the advance of the army on Corinth the battery was almost incessantly engaged, performing some of the most arduous duty of the campaign. At Chickamauga it fought under the immediate eye of Gen. Thomas and received a verbal compliment from that officer on the field of battle, its loss there being 13 men, 30 horses, and 1 gun dismounted. It fell back with the army into Chattanooga and was thereafter engaged in the battle of Missionary ridge. At the close of this campaign it reenlisted, was furloughed home, and in March, 1864, again reported for duty. It started with the army on the Atlanta campaign, and was engaged in the battles of Resaca, Cassville, Peachtree creek and siege of Atlanta, losing in this campaign 20 men killed and wounded. In November it started with Sherman's army on the Savannah campaign, and encamped in the city of Savannah on Dec. 22. In Jan., 1865 it started on the campaign through the Carolinas and was engaged at Averasboro and Bentonville. Battery D was mustered into the U. S. service Oct. 17, 1861, with an aggregate of 150 men. It reported to Brig.-Gen. William Nelson at Mount Sterling Ky. In Sept., 1862, at Munfordville, it was so unfortunate as to be overwhelmed by the enemy and its entire force and material were captured. The men were paroled and sent home to Ohio, where they remained until exchanged, in Jan., 1863. It was then engaged throughout the entire siege of Knoxville, and immediately after the siege was raised the battery re-enlisted, the men being sent to Ohio on 30 days' veteran furlough. When the march on Atlanta commenced it moved with Sherman's forces and was in all the engagements of that arduous and eventful campaign. It was engaged in the battles of Franklin and Nashville and after the army of Hood was driven across the Tennessee river the battery returned to Nashville and was sent with the 23d corps to Wilmington, N. C. Battery E was mustered into service Oct. 7, 1861, and in December following joined the old 3d division then under command of Gen. O. M. Mitchel, at Bacon Creek, Ky. It was engaged in nearly all the exploits of that officer through Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama. In Nov., 1862, it had a severe artillery duel with Capt. Morgan's 1st La. battery at La Vergne, Tenn., and drove the enemy from his works. It silenced Robison's Texas battery on the left wing of Bragg's army and repulsed repeated charges of infantry and cavalry at Stone's river on Dec. 30, but on the morning of the 31st the battery was overwhelmed in an exposed position on the extreme right of McCook's wing and after a brief though stubborn resistance was captured. It had 3 men killed, 20 wounded and 25 taken prisoners. At the battle of Missionary ridge it held an important point, and in the decisive battle of Nashville it acted with conspicuous gallantry. Battery F was mustered into service on Dec. 2, 1861, and the next day was ordered to Louisville, where it was added to Gen. Nelson's command. It moved on to Corinth, where during the siege it made its maiden effort of throwing shells at the enemy. Falling back toward Louisville, it was attached to Hazen's brigade, then proceeded to Perryville, where it participated in the fight without the loss of a man. It then moved on to Wild Cat mountain, and thence to Pitman's cross-roads, skirmishing with the enemy all the way. It participated in the battle of Stone's river, losing 2 men killed and 12 wounded. It was in the thickest of the battle at Chickamauga, losing 1 killed and 10 wounded. Battery G was mustered into service on Dec. 17, 1861, and soon thereafter became a part of the forces in Tennessee. It was the only volunteer battery of Buell's army engaged in the battle of Shiloh and the official records of commanding officers show that it did good service. It served with Gen. Crittenden's division through the siege of Corinth, during which it was ordered into the artillery reserve and moved for Athens, Ala. In September it reported to Gen. Negley, commanding 8th division, Army of the Cumberland, and moved into camp on the Franklin pike, 2 miles from the city, taking part during the blockade. It took part in the engagement at Stone's river, was active in skirmishing while lying at Murfreesboro and on the march to Tullahoma; took part in the engagement at Dug gap, covering the rear in retiring. It was also engaged at Chickamauga, whence it fell back with the army to Chattanooga, taking position on the Rossville road, where it was continually under fire until after the battle of Missionary ridge. In Oct., 1864, it received orders to report to the chief of artillery of the 4th army corps, at Pulaski, Tenn., where for some two weeks it was employed in building fortifications. It checked Hood's advance into Franklin, covered the retreat of the Federal column moving out, and reached Nashville on the night of Dec. 1, the loss of the battery in killed and wounded at the battle of Franklin being 23. It also took part m the battle of Nashville. Battery H was mustered into service on Nov. 7, 1861, and in Jan., 1862, proceeded by river to Parkersburg, W. Va., thence on the Baltimore & Ohio railroad to Patterson's creek. It was at Winchester in March, where on the 22nd it engaged the enemy and performed in a very creditable manner. It was engaged in the battle of Port Republic and, although it left 3 guns upon the battle-field to fall into the hands of the enemy, Gen. Shields complimented the battery on its gallantry and efficient service. It marched with the army back to Fredericksburg and took part in the bombardment of that place by Gen. Burnside's army, throwing nearly 1,000 shells into the town. It participated in the battle of Chancellorsville, where, assisted by the 11th and 4th N. Y., the men stood to the guns at a critical moment and without doubt saved the Federal army from destruction. In June the battery was placed in the artillery reserve of the Army of the Potomac and acted with it during the remainder of the war. Battery 1 was mustered into service on Dec. 3, 1861, and in January left for West Virginia. In April it moved over Cheat mountain to Monterey and took part in the battle of Dinwiddie's gap. It was then taken to McDowell and aided in the fighting near that place, losing 1 man killed. It took part in the battle of Cedar mountain, and upon reaching Freeman's ford on the Rappahannock was again engaged. It then moved with Gen. Pope's forces and took part in the second Bull Run battle, losing 12 men killed and wounded and 2 horses. It took part in the bombardment of Fredericksburg and then falling back with the army went into winter quarters at Brooks' station. On the opening of the spring campaign of 1863, the battery joined Gen. Hooker's army and took part in the battle of Chancellorsville, losing 5 men killed, 6 wounded, 1 gun and 16 horses. In the battle of Gettysburg it had 4 men killed and 15 wounded, and lost nearly all of its horses. In Oct., 1863, it was transferred with the 11th and 12th corps, Gen. Hooker commanding, to the Army of the Cumberland at Chattanooga, and Lookout valley was the scene of its first engagement in the west. It was also engaged at Missionary ridge and was then sent with Gen. Sherman's forces to the relief of Knoxville. Returning, it went into camp at Chattanooga and early in the spring of 1864 joined in the Atlanta campaign. It was engaged with the enemy in almost every battle of that campaign and its losses summed up 40 men killed and wounded. Battery K was mustered into service from Sept. 1 to Dec. 28, 1861. In February it joined Gen. Schenck's command at Cumberland, Md., and moved with it to Romney, Va. After remaining in camp some days it marched to Petersburg and Bull Pasture mountain, and took part in the battle of McDowell. From McDowell it went to Franklin, thence to Strasburg, Cross Keys and Port Republic, taking part in the battle of Cross Keys. It was at Cedar mountain and other affairs in which Gen. Pope's forces were engaged, including the second Bull Run battle. The next battle in which it was engaged was that of Chancellorsville, where it shared in the vicissitudes and mistakes of that strange engagement. In the battle of Gettysburg it was so closely engaged as to lose 5 men killed and 27 wounded. In October it was taken with the 11th and 12th corps to Chattanooga, Tenn., to aid in raising the siege of that place, and was engaged in the night fight at Wauhatchie valley, in which the Confederates were badly defeated. It was also engaged at Lookout mountain and Missionary ridge. Battery L was mustered into service from Oct. 8, 1861, to Jan. 20, 1862, and joined Gen. Lander's command at Patterson's creek, W. Va., arriving at that point on Jan. 27, 1863. It was in several positions during the battle of Winchester on March 23, the last one being on the right wing, which the Confederates attempted to turn, but failing to do so took shelter behind a stone wall, when a few solid shot from the battery and a simultaneous charge of infantry closed the battle, the battery losing in that engagement 1 man killed and several wounded. In performance of further duty the battery, crossed Massanutten mountain and in May was engaged at Front Royal, one section firing repeated rounds at the enemy. One piece of artillery was lost by the battery at Port Republic and then, after a few months' respite, it was ordered to the front again in August and took part in the battle of Chantilly. It marched with Gen. McClellan's forces on the Antietam campaign, and in December crossed the Rappahannock into the city of Fredericksburg, remaining in its streets under fire until the morning of the 16th, when It re-crossed the river. It became actively engaged on the morning of May 3, 1863, at Chancellorsville and continued until the end of the engagement. At Gettysburg it took position on the right hand slope and foot of 'Little Round Top,' where it became warmly engaged with Longstreet's corps, which was making desperate efforts to turn the left. So close was the work here that the guns were double--shotted with canister and worked so rapidly that the men could not lay hands upon them. It afterward marched to Culpeper Court House, and in October entered with the army on the celebrated race between Gens. Meade and Lee for Manassas Junction just missing the fight at Bristoe Station. It thereafter followed the fortunes of the army and took part in the battle at Rappahannock ford. In November the battery crossed the Rapidan at Gold Mine ford and became warmly engaged at Mine run, where it lost 1 man and several horses killed and a number of men wounded. After the fight at Fort Stevens, in July, 1864, the battery was attached to Dwight's division, 19th corps, with which it marched into Maryland, then back to Virginia, and participated in the Snicker's ferry fight. In September it reported to Gen. Sheridan at Summit Point, Va., and moved with his army up the Shenandoah Valley, taking part in the battles of Winchester and Fisher's hill. The battery had twelve different positions during the fight at Cedar creek and behaved handsomely, firing the first and last artillery shot in the battle. It covered the retreat and led in the advance, having 1 man killed and l2 wounded, some very severely by shell. During its term of service the battery lost 7 men killed, 50 wounded and 15 taken prisoners. Battery M was mustered into service Dec. 3, 1861, and in January with Battery F, it proceeded to Louisvi!le, Ky., and reported to Maj.-Gen. Buell, who was at that time organizing the Army of the Ohio. It moved with the army to Nashville and was there attached to the artillery reserve, Col. Barnett commanding, with which it operated during the march to and the battle of Shiloh. It also took an active part in all the movements before Corinth and after the evacuation of that place by the Confederates moved to Huntsville and Stevenson, Ala. It greatly distinguished itself in the engagement at Stone's river and when Rosecrans' army moved from Murfreesboro toward Tullahoma and Chattanooga the battery accompanied it and took part in all the skirmishes of that march. It also fought through the battle of Chickamauga and the subsequent victory of Missionary ridge. In the spring of 1864 it was assigned to the command of Maj.-Gen. D. S. Stanley, and in July was placed in the trenches before Atlanta, where it remained until the flanking movement against Jonesboro. From that time to the battle of Jonesboro the battery was attached to the 1st division, 4th corps, and took part in all its marches and skirmishes. Pushing on with the army from Jonesboro to Lovejoy's Station, the battery took part in the hot work at the last-named place. Battery M was consolidated with Battery 1 March 13, 1865. The regimental organization was mustered out by batteries at different dates, from June 15, to July 31, 1865, in accordance with orders from the war department. Source: The Union Army, vol. 2 Stone's River after battle report: Report of Capt. Warren P. Edgarton, Battery E, First Ohio Light Artillery. NASHVILLE, TENN., June 25, 1863. COL.: I have the honor to submit, for you consideration, a brief report of the action of my command (Battery E, First Regt. Ohio Volunteer Light Artillery), at and immediately preceding the battle of Stone's River. I have cause seriously to regret that my capture and subsequent imprisonment have so long delayed to recital of facts which I purpose to embody in this report, known only to myself, by which injustice has been done to the brave of my command, especially as there seems to have been very generally a misapprehension in regard to my position on the morning of the 31st of last December, and the cause which resulted in the capture of my battery. We left camp near Nashville on the 26th of December, attached to Gen. Kirk's brigade of Gen. Johnson's division, right wing. We marched on the Nolensville pike. The next day, the 27th, approaching Triune, our brigade was ordered in the advance. After marching about 1 mile, we encountered a battery of the enemy posted in a commanding position. My battery was ordered forward to engage it, and, after a few rounds, we drove them from that position. We took a second position on a hill overlooking the village of Triune, and again discovered the enemy's battery planted in our front, well supported by cavalry. We dislodged them a second time, dismounting one of their guns. The enemy ceased to annoy us here, and we were ordered to bivouac near the village, one section being ordered on picket duty. The duty of following the enemy on this day was very arduous. We were obliged to leave the traveled roads in order to gain position; we removed, dragged our pieces through the soft ground of cultivated fields, through streams of water, and climbed hills, where it became necessary of call for a detail from the infantry to help us along. On the 29th we took the direction of Murfreesborough, passed over a very rough and hilly road, and arrived after dark near the scene of the contemplated battle. The utmost caution and vigilance was ordered. We were hitched up and ready for action at daylight of the 30th. On this day the Second Division was held in reserve. We followed the advance till late in the afternoon, when we were ordered to oblique to the right, to cover the right of Gen. Davis' division. The enemy had posted a battery on the right of Gen. Davis, in a handsome position, enfilading his whole line. Gen. Kirk ordered me forward with a regiment of infantry as support, with instructions to silence, if possible the rebel battery. Under cover of a cedar thicket, I was enabled to approach within about 700 yards of the enemy. The battery was silenced by six rounds from our pieces. They retreated, leaving a caisson disabled. An attempt was made to gain another position, but we followed them engaging the infantry that came to their support, and kept up a brisk fire until dark. Gen. Kirk the ordered us to case firing. My battery was the only detachment of Gen. Johnson's division engaged in the action of Tuesday, the 30th of December. I here represented to Gen. Kirk that my men were very weary, my horses almost famished; that my ammunition was short in the limber-chests of the pieces, and asked permission to withdraw long enough to prepare for hard work on the following day. Believing horses to be the main dependence of a light battery, and not knowing when I should have I should have an opportunity to feed and water it brought into action, I asked time to prepare for the conflict of the morrow. Gen. Kirk pointed out a spot about 100 yards in the rear of the position I then occupied, sheltered by a heavy growth of timber, and ordered to bivouac there for the night. I reported to him that I could not place my guns 'in battery' there, or defend myself if assaulted. He replied that I should be protected, and that ample notice should be given when I was expected to take a position in the line of battle. After I had brought my guns into park, the right of the brigade was thrown across the muzzles in front. Gen. Willich's brigade marched up and formed on the flank. I found myself within the angle formed by the junction of the two brigades, retiring about 50 yards, and on a low and narrow piece of ground. I have before stated that it was dark when I arrived at this point. We were not permitted to have lights. The ground in our rear had not been reconnoitered. I rode back some distance, but failed to find water for my horses. I did not consider it safe to push the investigation far outside of our lines that night. I waited until morning. At daylight a small stream was discovered about 100 rods in our rear. It was quiet all along our lines. I could not hear a picket shot, nor any indication that the enemy was in our vicinity. I had no orders to take position. My horses were already harnessed, to hitch on at a moment's warning. I was completely surrounded by veteran troops. I had a right to suppose that our front and flank were so picked that I should have notice of the approach of the enemy. I ordered a half battery of my horses to go to water on a sharp trot, and return at the slightest indication of danger. The horses had barely reached the water when a fierce shout was heard at the front, and a terrible volley of musketry was poured in upon us. I called the cannoneers to their posts, had a half battery hitched in, put my guns in battery where they were, and a moment was prepared, as best I could, to fight in that position. The infantry, our support, gave way on the front and flank in disorder, almost with the first volley. I then opened on the enemy with canister, firing from 16 to 20 rounds, with good effect, as I have cause to know, for I passed over the ground in our front a few moments afterward a prisoner. The assault of the enemy was fierce and overwhelming. After the first fire, in which I had 1 man killed, a number wounded, and 12 horses killed, the enemy charged with an impetuosity which carried everything before him. The battery was taken. It would have been impossible for me to have saved my battery, even if I had commenced a retreat on the first alarm. The enemy was very near us before discovered, and the fight commenced without any of the preliminary skirmishing before a general engagement. To the best of my judgment, it was not more than five minutes from the firing of the first shot to the catastrophe when my battery was taken and myself a prisoner. In the mean time some of my horses returned, were hitched in, and killed. The rest were driven back by the fierce fire from the front. I deemed it my duty to stay with my guns so long as a single shot could be fired, or a chance exist of their being supported and retaken. I did not realize the helplessness of the case until I was surrounded and retreat impossible. In the brief time we were engaged I had 3 men killed, 25 wounded, and 22 taken prisoners. I wish here to compliment my men for their determined bravery; they obeyed orders implicity, and stood by their guns to the last. I would not be understood in this report as casting the slightest reflection on the discretion or vigilance of my brigade commander. I am not capable of criticising his orders, nor would I be permitted to do so had I the disposition. I had learned highly to respect Gen. Kirk as a fine gentleman and accomplished soldier. I reverenced him for his heroic courage in the presence of an enemy. He was dangerously wounded in a desperate attempt to rally his broken regiments to support my battery, riding almost upon the bayonets of the enemy. As I have been charged with grave errors on the occasion of the battle, I respectfully request that I may be ordered before a court of inquiry, that my conduct may be investigated. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, W. P. EDGARTON, Capt. Battery E, First Regt. Artillery, Ohio Vols. Col. JAMES BARNETT, Chief of Artillery. Report of Lieut. Albert G. Ransom, Battery E, First Ohio Light Artillery. IN CAMP NEAR MURFREESBOROUGH, TENN., January 7, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to report the part taken by Battery E, First Regt. Ohio Artillery, in the movement of the Federal army on Murfreesborough and the battles before that town. Leaving camp near Nashville, December 26, 1862, but marching in rear of two other divisions, the Second was not that day engaged. We bivouacked south of Nolensville, and early on the morning of the 27th instant started on the road to Triune. Before we had proceeded more than 1 mile, heavy skirmishing was heard in front, and one section of our battery was ordered forward by Gen. Kirk. Our place in the march being in rear of the Second Regiment, when the head of the column had reached the top of a ridge beyond which cavalry skirmishing was still going on, a masked battery of the enemy on the left and commanding the road opened on it. Our pieces were at once unlimbered, and, after firing twelve rounds, got no response from the enemy's guns. The infantry skirmishers had filed off the road to the left, and our entire battery now moved rapidly after them. Leaving the pike, the skirmishers moved to the top of another ridge, and our battery, following, was at once placed in position there, from which point it opened fire from every gun, driving the rebels out of range. Here we were ordered to await the uplifting of a very heavy fog, and, when the infantry moved forward, again sought the pike, which we followed until the skirmishers reported the enemy again in sight and in line of battle. A fine position, on a hill overlooking Trinne, and within the range of the rebel cavalry, in line of battle facing our left, was found here, and four pieces opened from this eminence, throwing shot and shell into and beyond the town, and into the rebels on right and left. When we first came in sight of Triune, the road was filled with rebel cavalry, and one section, unlimbering in the road, made them its special mark. The town was soon made untenable, and in an effort made by the rebel battery planted above the village to return our fire, it was driven off with one gun disabled. The enemy again retired before our fire, and the skirmishers, following up as fast as the nature of the ground would admit, threatened the capture of his guns, which he fired rapidly, and which we could not return, as he had cut down a bridge, obliging us to search a crossing more than one-half mile down the creek. When our battery again appeared, the enemy had drawn off, but we threw several shot in the direction of his retreat. We were not again in action until the evening of December 30, when the Second Brigade was ordered to support the right of Gen. Davis' division, threatened by rebel cavalry. They showed themselves in force, but, having secured a good position, a few shells threw their ranks into confusion and made them retire. The right of Gen. Davis was at this time suffering from the shells of the enemy's battery, to which we turned our attention, and had the satisfaction of silencing the battery after a few rounds. Knowing our danger on the right, we planted two pieces on the road by which it was supposed the enemy would come, kept the horses harnessed all night, and took every precaution we thought necessary to guard against surprise. At daylight on the morning of the 31st instant the pickets gave the alarm, and skirmishers were firing, but as yet could see no enemy. The horses were quickly hitched, except a few, perhaps one-half of which were on their return from water, and were brought up at once. Failing to distinguish the enemy, two shells were thrown in the direction of their fire, and, when they appeared, canister. Six rounds were poured into the moving mass with great effect, but, attacked in front and flank, we soon saw our horses shot down, the work evidently of sharpshooters, who moved in the advance and on the right and left, until the whole column being now upon us, we had not horses enough to save our guns. The number of deaths among our men, and particularly the fact that two of them were bayoneted at their guns, will show conclusively the courage and tenacity which influenced them on the occasion. Completely overpowered, it became necessary to retire with a few horsesperhaps 30. In conclusion, allow me to express my heartfelt regret at the loss of Capt. Edgarton, whose manly voice rang out above the din of musketry, encouraging his men, and giving orders coolly and judiciously. He preferred to go a prisoner with his battery to leaving his much cherished pieces. In mentioning the other officers and men, the name of Lieut. Berwick comes foremost, who, an adopted citizen, rushed to arms at the first call, and, in acts as well as words, proved his unchangeable love of the freedom which enticed him from his bonnie hills. The sergeants and men behaved with noble devotion, as the death of three of the former will fully testify, while the alacrity shown by all to enter the service anywhere, so they could fight for their country, proves patriotism and courage. Accompanying this report I append the names of those known to have been killed and wounded. Respectfully, your obedient servant, A. G. RANSOM, First Lieut., Cmdg. Capt. D. C. WAGNER, Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen., Second Brigade.

Source: Official Records PAGE 300-29 KY., MID. AND E. TENN., N. ALA., AND SW. VA. (CHAP. XXXII. Series I. Vol. 20. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 29.)

Ohio 1st Light Artillery, Battery E (Union)

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