10th Wisconsin
Light Artillery Battery Regiment
RosterBattles involving 10th Light Artillery BatteryAssignments for 10th Light Artillery Battery- Organized on Feb 10 1862 at New Lisbon, WI
- Enlistment term: 3 years
- Mustered out on Apr 26 1865 at Madison, WI
Available statistics for total numbers of men listed as:
- Enlisted or commissioned: 251
- Transferred in: 3
- Killed or died of wounds (Enlisted men): 3
- Died of disease (Enlisted men): 25
- Prisoner of war: 5
- Died while prisoner of war: 1
- Disabled: 11
- Deserted: 3
- Discharged: 12
- Mustered out: 119
- Transferred out: 63
Historical notes and Reports:
Tenth Light Battery
WISCONSIN
(3-YEARS)
Tenth Light Battery. -- Capt., Yates V. Beebe, First Lieuts., David C. Pratt, Philip H. M. Groesbeck, Ebenezer W. Stetson; Second Lieuts. Philip H. M. Groesbeck, Elbert W. Fowler, Henry A. Hicks, Oscar A. Clark.
This battery was organized at New Lisbon in the fall of 1861, and was mustered in Feb. IO, 1862. It rendezvoused at Camp Utley, Racine, and left the state March 18 for St. Louis.
On April 1, Lieut. Toner and 25 men were transferred to the 8th battery, and Lieut. Hicks and 45 men to the 9th, leaving but 47 men in the 10th. These were joined in April by 25 recruits and the battery was assigned to the reserve artillery at Pittsburg landing.
It was in action at the siege of Corinth and then encamped at Tuscumbia creek until July 21, when it moved to Iuka and left there Aug. 12 to join the Army of the Tennessee near Nashville. One section, which had been left at Courtland, rejoined the battery at Decatur, Ala., in September. It routed a body of Van Dorn's cavalry at Columbia, Tenn., and upon reaching Nashville engaged in train escort service.
In November its ranks were augmented by 50 recruits and on Dec. 12 it was assigned to the 2nd brigade, 7th division, 14th corps. It escorted a train to Murfreesboro, where it was temporarily detached and participated in the battle of Stone's River.
It was on garrison duty at Nashville until April 8; on railroad guard duty at Brentwood until June 3; in garrison at Murfreesboro until Aug. 19; in camp at Athens, Ala., until Sept. 1; on bridge guard duty at and near Bridgeport, Tenn., until Oct. 10; and then guarded the river at various points until Jan. 1, 1864, when one section moved to Calhoun.
It was joined by the other sections in February, and was employed as bridge guard until April 27, when it was ordered to Cleveland, Tenn., and assigned to the 3d cavalry division, Army of the Cumberland. It was heavily engaged at Resaca and Calhoun ferry being praised for its ''energy, prompt maneuvering and accurate firing.''
It was on guard duty in the vicinity of Adairsville, Kingston and Cartersville until Aug. 3 and at Red Oak it silenced the enemy's battery and destroyed 2 miles of railroad. It engaged a battery at Jonesboro with the same result, burned the depot, rolling stock and buildings, and destroyed 3 miles of track.
It made a vigorous attack on the enemy at Lovejoy's Station and a few days later again silenced the battery at Red Oak. It was in lively engagements at Burnt bridge Glass bridge, Salt Springs, Nose's Creek and Rome, and then went into camp at Marietta. It participated in the march to the sea, taking part in engagements at Lovejoy's Station, Waynesboro, Buckhead Church and other points.
It then joined in the campaign of the Carolinas and was actively engaged at Barnwell, Aiken, Gunter's bridge, Hornsboro, Monroe's crossing and Averasboro.
The non-veterans who were entitled to discharge, were mustered out at Madison, April 26, 1865, and the balance of the battery was temporarily attached to the 12th Wis. battery.
The original strength of the 10th was 47; recruits, 121; reenlistments 11; total, 179. Loss by death, 24; desertion, 4; discharge, 60; mustered out, 91.
Source: The Union Army, vol. 4, p. 83
Report of Capt. Yates V. Beebe, Tenth Wisconsin Battery.
HDQRS. TENTH BATTERY WISCONSIN VOL. ARTILLERY, September 7, 1864.
LIEUT.: In compliance with a communication from you of September 4, 1864, I have the honor to state that the Tenth Wisconsin Battery reported to Gen. Kilpatrick for duty May 7, 1864, Special Field Orders, No. 125, Department of the Cumberland, May 4, 1864. On the 13th day of May, engaged the enemy about one hour at Resaca. On the 14th engaged him all day at Calhoun Ferry. In this action had 1 gun disabled, 1 limber shot to pieces, 3 horses killed and 1 man, Sergeant Catlin, badly wounded in the
side, two ribs broken. May 15, one section engaged at intervals all day at ------- Ford, between Calhoun Ferry and Resaca. The company was employed in guarding railroad from Adairsville to Marietta from May 16 to August 18, when they started with Gen. Kilpatrick on a raid. On the 19th struck the Atlanta and West Point Railroad at Red Oak about daylight in the morning. Engaged the enemy, silenced his battery, and drove him off. Struck the Atlanta and Macon Railroad at Jonesborough at 4 p. m. Engaged the enemy and drove him off. On the 20th struck the railroad again at Lovejoy's Station; engaged the enemy about 2 p. m., got surrounded, charged through Gen. Ross' command and marched through McDonough to Cotton Indian Creek. Lost in this action and charge 3 horses killed, I set wheel harness for two horses and 1 set of lead harness for two horses, and 1 limber abandoned, 1 man, Michael O'Connor, missing, and 4 men slightly wounded. On the 21st marched to Lithuania Station, on the Atlanta and Augusta Railroad. The company lost on this day's march 1 wagon burned at Cotton Indian River, and 1 man, Thomas Yargan, missing, and 6 horses abandoned, so badly used up that they could not be moved with the battery at the rate the command was moving. On the 22d marched to Gen. Garrard's headquarters, near Atlanta. On the 23d marched to Sandtown. On the 27th marched to Camp Creek. On the 28th engaged the enemy at Red Oak, silenced his battery, and drove him off. Corporal McCarty was severely wounded in the right arm. On the 30th, at 10 a. m., engaged the enemy about six miles east of Red Oak and drove him two miles; engaged him again and drove him three miles, and engaged him again and drove him into Jonesborough. On the 31st of August moved to burnt bridge, on Flint River, about one mile and a half southwest of Jonesborough. At 1 p. m. commenced shelling the enemy with one section. At 3 p. m. Gen. Cleburne's division charged us, and the whole battery was brought into action. We held the position until our ammunition was exhausted, when the whole command fell back. In this action I piece was disabled and 2 horses killed.
On the 1st of September the battery went back to burnt bridge and shelled the enemy at intervals until 3 p. m. On the 2d day of September moved about six miles to Glass' Bridge. About 2 p. m. engaged the enemy, silenced his battery, and drove him off. On the 3d day of September moved about five miles and went into camp near Lovejoy's Station on the right of the Seventeenth Army Corps. On the 5th day of September fell back to burnt bridge. On the 7th of September the enemy threatened us again at burnt bridge. We sent him eight fuse shells with our compliments, bade him good bye, fell back to Red Oak, and on the 8th day of September we arrived at this place.
I am, lieutenant, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Y. V. BEEBE
Capt. Tenth Wisconsin Volunteer Artillery.
Lieut. E. P. STURGES,
A. A. D. C., Hdqrs. Chief of Arty., Dept. of the Cumberland.
Source: Official Records
PAGE 903-73 THE ATLANTA CAMPAIGN. [CHAP. L.
[Series I. Vol. 38. Part II, Reports. Serial No. 73.]
Report of Capt. Yates V. Beebe, Tenth Wisconsin Battery.
HDQRS. TENTH WISCONSIN BATTERY, December 18, 1864.
CAPT.: In compliance with a circular from your headquarters, dated December 17, 1864, I have the honor to report that the Tenth Wisconsin Batter left Marietta, Ga., on the 14th day of November, 1864. On the 16th day of November the battery was in action at Lovejoy's Station and at Bear Creek Station. At Lovejoy's Station the battery silenced the enemy's guns and took possession of two of them after the cavalry had run them down. On the 19th the battery crossed the Ocmulgee and marched thirty-two miles to Clinton. This day's march killed the horses. On the 20th the battery was in action near Macon; had one wagon broken and destroyed. On the 23d, near Gordon, broke an axle and destroyed a caisson. On the 24th, 25th, 26th, and 27th the company marched 123 miles, to Waynesborough; had 30 horses killed and abandoned. On the 28th the battery was in action at Jones' plantation near Buck Head Church, and on the 29th arrived at Louisville, Ga.
December 1, 2, and 3, the battery marched with Gen. Baird's division to Thomas' Station, seven miles south of Waynesborough. On the 4th the battery was in action at Waynesborough. On the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th the battery marched seventy-three miles, to Ebenezer. On the 11th the battery went into camp within five miles of Savannah, on the Macon and Savannah Railroad. On the 13th and 14th the battery marched thirty miles to Midway Church. On the 16th the battery went into camp at King's Bridge, where it remains yet.
During this campaign the company has been in action seven times and marched 520 miles. They have lost 1 wagon, 50 horses, and 1 caisson. They have captured 2 horses, 10 mules, and 2 guns.
In a report of this kind there cannot be much said to dazzle the imagination; but if cheerful fighting, tedious marching and tireless vigilance does lack excitement, it cannot fail to command the admiration of friends and foes.
I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Y. V. BEEBE,
Capt. Tenth Battery Wisconsin Volunteer Artillery.
Capt. H. J. SMITH,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen.
Source: Official Records
PAGE 405-92 OPERATIONS IN S. C., GA., AND FLA. [CHAP. LVI.
[Series I. Vol. 44. Serial No. 92.]
Report of Lieut. Elbert W. Fowler, Tenth Wisconsin Battery, of operations January 27-March 24.
HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., SEC. TENTH WISCONSIN BATTERY, In the Field, Mount Olive, N. C., March 27, 1865.
CAPT.: Agreeable to orders I respectfully submit the following report of the operations of my command during the campaign commencing at Savannah, Ca., January 27, and ending at Mount Olive, N. C., March 24, 1865:
By easy marches, with the brigade, I reached Sister's Ferry, Ga., February 1, and rested till the p. m. of the 3d instant; then crossed the Savannah River, wading swamps and fording mud holes six miles to Robertsville, S. C., my first bivouac, and the commencement of operations in the Carolinas. From Robertsville, via Lawtonville, Allendale, Barnwell Court-House, Blackville, Williston, Windsor, to Johnson's Turnout, on the South Carolina Railroad, twenty-two miles from Augusta, was without special incident to the battery.
March 11 [February], in position on the pike at Johnson's Turnout, facing toward Aiken; open level ground to my left, front, and right, bounded by pine woods about 1,000 yards distant. By order of Gen. Kilpatrick I opened fire upon the enemy's charging line of cavalry as they emerged from the woods in front with both guns, while Second Brigade was forming in the barricades on the right, and fired slowly till the enemy opened fire on my left, when I, by order of Capt. Beebe, chief of artillery, cavalry division, moved quickly to the left to the rail barricade, 600 yards distant, and had time to fire but two rounds of canister before the enemy, already whipped by the Eighth Indiana Cavalry (my support on the left), got out of range. Fired this day from the two guns fifty-nine rounds, of which two were canister, the rest fuse-shells. What execution my fire did I was unable to learn, as I had no opportunity to visit the field after the fight.
From the time I left Johnson's Turnout, February 13, to the time the command reached the North Carolina line north of Chesterfield, March 4, was hard marching for artillery, and told severely on my horses.
Near Hornsborough Post-Office, S. C., March 4, there was considerable skirmishing with the enemy's cavalry, which had followed us closely for some time. In the evening, by order of Col. Jordan, commanding brigade, one gun was run by hand to the crest of a hill about 100 yards to the right of my park, and fired one shell at the enemy's cavalry picket-post, distant about 1,000 yards, which had the effect of dispersing the force. About one hour later the brigade was moved rapidly about two miles southeast, and the battery, by order of Gen. Kilpatrick, put in position enfilading the road to the rear. The rest of the division passed, leaving the First Brigade to protect the rear. I was very much dissatisfied with my position, but owing to the quicksand around me could not better it--on a rise of ground, woods in rear, devoid of protection for limbers or caissons, in rear of and above the rail barricades, with woods to the front and left, distant but about 500 yards, with the dismounted cavalry in the barricades in front of the guns in my way, so that I could not fire without firing over their heads, impracticable for canister and dangerous for shell, especially after dark. Two regiments formed my support on the left, facing to the front and left flank; the balance of the brigade was on the right. I did not know their positions. At dusk the enemy's cavalry charged, mounted, from the woods on the left of the road (I was on the right) and I commenced firing by order of Col. Jordan, commanding brigade; seven shells in connection with the fire of the other troops drove the enemy back and they troubled us no more. Via Morven, N. C., pontoon bridge at Rocky Mount Post-Office, S. C., Rockingham, N. C., to Fayetteville, N. C., which the command reached March 11, was severe marching for artillery, killing several horses by overwork on rough, muddy roads, and in swamps so near impassable that the carriages had to be hauled through by hand, the horses not being able to stand up in the road.
March 15, from Fayetteville across pontoon bridge to the vicinity of Averasborough I marched in the rain and mud at a trot. The road was rough and muddy and tried my horses as much as any march in the campaign. The next morning the First Brigade advanced a mile or more toward Averasborough, and were skirmishing heavily before I was ordered on the field. By order of Gen. Kilpatrick I came in battery on a rise of ground in an open field on the left of the road, and distant about 1,500 yards from the enemy's earth-works, behind which was a battery of four guns, 12-pounder brass, which opened fire upon me while I was coming up the road and getting into position. The enemy's battery was on about the same plane as my guns, level open ground between, except a wooded ravine about 200 yards in my front, which partially screened my guns from the enemy's fire. I commenced firing with singularly good effect as reported by prisoners taken. The first five shots fired (fuse-shell) took effect, each killing a man or horse. The third shot fired exploded a limber. During the time I was in action, and before any other guns opened on the enemy I received notice that I had dismounted one of their guns-hit it on the face. The position of our lines I knew nothing of, except the heaviest musketry was in the woods to my right. I attracted and kept the fire of the enemy's battery directed upon me, so that as far as I could learn not a man of the cavalry division was injured by their fire. I was ordered to cease firing by Capt. Beebe, chief of artillery of the cavalry division, and was immediately after relieved by the artillery of the Twentieth Army Corps. Ammunition expended, 150 rounds, about equal parts fuseshell and case-shot.
That evening the command moved to Black River and bivouacked. From Black River to Mount Olive the battery was not engaged. The fuses provided for 3-inch rifled guns I have found very defective, not over half of the shells exploding. The superiority of the 3-inch rifle over the 12-pounder Napoleon at 1,500 yards was very marked. I had no casualties of men or horses, while my fire was very destructive to the enemy. The caissons for field artillery are ill-adapted for cavalry service. My experience has been that one-third more horsed are killed by overwork on the caissons than on the pieces. Taking off the spare wheel and rear ammunition chest would equalize the draughts.
Where all men did their duty it is hard to distinguish. Sergeants Alonzo Priest and Henry L. Childs, chiefs of pieces, for coolness and general efficiency; Corporals Reuben Bixler, detailed from Company K, Ninth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and J. W. Ratliff, detailed from Company D, Fifth Kentucky Cavalry, for accuracy of fire; John W. Pratt, Tenth Wisconsin Battery, and Jacob McKinley, detailed from Company C, Ninth Pennsylvania Cavalry, acting at post No. 6; George Farbar, detailed from Company B, Ninth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and Philip I. Whitman, Company H, Ninth Pennsylvania Cavalry, acting at post No. 1, for good conduct and efficiency deserve mention.
Respectfully submitted.
E. W. FOWLER,
Second Lieut., Cmdg. Section Tenth Wisconsin Battery.
Capt. WARD,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen.
Report of Lieut. Oscar A. Clark, Tenth Wisconsin Battery, of operations January 28-March 24/
HDQRS. SECOND BRIGADE ARTILLERY, In the Field, March 29, 1865.
CAPT.: In compliance with circular from Second Brigade, Cavalry Command, I have the honor to report that this section of Tenth Wisconsin Battery on the 17th day of January, 1865, reported to Second Brigade, Third Cavalry Division, for duty. It left camp near Savannah, Ga., on the 28th day of January, 1865, then marched to Sister's Ferry, on the Savannah River.
February 3, crossed the Savannah River. February 6, in action near Barnwell, S. C., shelling the enemy and driving him from his intrenchments. February 7, struck the Augusta and Charleston Railroad at Blackville. February 11, in action at Aiken; retired to Johnson's Station; here this section was posted behind barricades, where it shelled and checked the enemy's advance and drove them back through the woods. February 14, in action at the North Edisto River, shelling the enemy; crossed the river, and drove him from his barricade. February 17, crossed the Saluda River at Train's Ferry. February 20, crossed Broad River. February 22, were at Black Stocks, on the Columbia and Charlotte Railroad. February 23, crossed the Catawba River at Rocky Mount. February 25, camped at Lancaster Court-House. March 4, in action near Hornsborough, S. C. March 6, crossed the Great Pedee River near Rockingham. March 12, lost one man captured, Joseph Unselt, private. March 13, crossed Cape Fear River at Fayetteville. March 15, in action at Moore's Cross-Roads. March 20, were in line of battle in rear of our infantry at Bentonville. March 22, the enemy left our infantry's front; campaign ended.
This section of the Tenth Wisconsin Battery, since breaking camp near Savannah, has marched nearly 500 miles. It has drawn but five days' rations of hard bread and eight of coffee, subsisting almost entirely on the country.
This plain, unvarnished report has not much in it do dazzle the imagination, but if ceaseless energy and cheerfully performing our duties throughout a long and tedious campaign should meet with the approbation of our commander, we shall feel proud of the humble part which we were permitted to take in the great and glorious campaign which has just ended so successfully to our arms and our cause and with such disaster to the arms and cause of the enemies of our common country.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
O. A. CLARK,
Second Lieut., Tenth Wisconsin Battery.
Capt. H. J. SMITH,
A. A. A. G., 2d Brig., 3d Cav. Div., Mil. Div. of the Miss.
Source: Official Records
PAGE 906-98 OPERATIONS IN N. C., S. C., S. GA., AND E. FLA. [CHAP. LIX.
[Series I. Vol. 47. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 98.]
Tenth Light Battery
WISCONSIN
(3-YEARS)
Tenth Light Battery. -- Capt., Yates V. Beebe, First Lieuts., David C. Pratt, Philip H. M. Groesbeck, Ebenezer W. Stetson; Second Lieuts. Philip H. M. Groesbeck, Elbert W. Fowler, Henry A. Hicks, Oscar A. Clark.
This battery was organized at New Lisbon in the fall of 1861, and was mustered in Feb. IO, 1862. It rendezvoused at Camp Utley, Racine, and left the state March 18 for St. Louis.
On April 1, Lieut. Toner and 25 men were transferred to the 8th battery, and Lieut. Hicks and 45 men to the 9th, leaving but 47 men in the 10th. These were joined in April by 25 recruits and the battery was assigned to the reserve artillery at Pittsburg landing.
It was in action at the siege of Corinth and then encamped at Tuscumbia creek until July 21, when it moved to Iuka and left there Aug. 12 to join the Army of the Tennessee near Nashville. One section, which had been left at Courtland, rejoined the battery at Decatur, Ala., in September. It routed a body of Van Dorn's cavalry at Columbia, Tenn., and upon reaching Nashville engaged in train escort service.
In November its ranks were augmented by 50 recruits and on Dec. 12 it was assigned to the 2nd brigade, 7th division, 14th corps. It escorted a train to Murfreesboro, where it was temporarily detached and participated in the battle of Stone's River.
It was on garrison duty at Nashville until April 8; on railroad guard duty at Brentwood until June 3; in garrison at Murfreesboro until Aug. 19; in camp at Athens, Ala., until Sept. 1; on bridge guard duty at and near Bridgeport, Tenn., until Oct. 10; and then guarded the river at various points until Jan. 1, 1864, when one section moved to Calhoun.
It was joined by the other sections in February, and was employed as bridge guard until April 27, when it was ordered to Cleveland, Tenn., and assigned to the 3d cavalry division, Army of the Cumberland. It was heavily engaged at Resaca and Calhoun ferry being praised for its ''energy, prompt maneuvering and accurate firing.''
It was on guard duty in the vicinity of Adairsville, Kingston and Cartersville until Aug. 3 and at Red Oak it silenced the enemy's battery and destroyed 2 miles of railroad. It engaged a battery at Jonesboro with the same result, burned the depot, rolling stock and buildings, and destroyed 3 miles of track.
It made a vigorous attack on the enemy at Lovejoy's Station and a few days later again silenced the battery at Red Oak. It was in lively engagements at Burnt bridge Glass bridge, Salt Springs, Nose's Creek and Rome, and then went into camp at Marietta. It participated in the march to the sea, taking part in engagements at Lovejoy's Station, Waynesboro, Buckhead Church and other points.
It then joined in the campaign of the Carolinas and was actively engaged at Barnwell, Aiken, Gunter's bridge, Hornsboro, Monroe's crossing and Averasboro.
The non-veterans who were entitled to discharge, were mustered out at Madison, April 26, 1865, and the balance of the battery was temporarily attached to the 12th Wis. battery.
The original strength of the 10th was 47; recruits, 121; reenlistments 11; total, 179. Loss by death, 24; desertion, 4; discharge, 60; mustered out, 91.
Source: The Union Army, vol. 4, p. 83
Report of Capt. Yates V. Beebe, Tenth Wisconsin Battery.
HDQRS. TENTH BATTERY WISCONSIN VOL. ARTILLERY, September 7, 1864.
LIEUT.: In compliance with a communication from you of September 4, 1864, I have the honor to state that the Tenth Wisconsin Battery reported to Gen. Kilpatrick for duty May 7, 1864, Special Field Orders, No. 125, Department of the Cumberland, May 4, 1864. On the 13th day of May, engaged the enemy about one hour at Resaca. On the 14th engaged him all day at Calhoun Ferry. In this action had 1 gun disabled, 1 limber shot to pieces, 3 horses killed and 1 man, Sergeant Catlin, badly wounded in the
side, two ribs broken. May 15, one section engaged at intervals all day at ------- Ford, between Calhoun Ferry and Resaca. The company was employed in guarding railroad from Adairsville to Marietta from May 16 to August 18, when they started with Gen. Kilpatrick on a raid. On the 19th struck the Atlanta and West Point Railroad at Red Oak about daylight in the morning. Engaged the enemy, silenced his battery, and drove him off. Struck the Atlanta and Macon Railroad at Jonesborough at 4 p. m. Engaged the enemy and drove him off. On the 20th struck the railroad again at Lovejoy's Station; engaged the enemy about 2 p. m., got surrounded, charged through Gen. Ross' command and marched through McDonough to Cotton Indian Creek. Lost in this action and charge 3 horses killed, I set wheel harness for two horses and 1 set of lead harness for two horses, and 1 limber abandoned, 1 man, Michael O'Connor, missing, and 4 men slightly wounded. On the 21st marched to Lithuania Station, on the Atlanta and Augusta Railroad. The company lost on this day's march 1 wagon burned at Cotton Indian River, and 1 man, Thomas Yargan, missing, and 6 horses abandoned, so badly used up that they could not be moved with the battery at the rate the command was moving. On the 22d marched to Gen. Garrard's headquarters, near Atlanta. On the 23d marched to Sandtown. On the 27th marched to Camp Creek. On the 28th engaged the enemy at Red Oak, silenced his battery, and drove him off. Corporal McCarty was severely wounded in the right arm. On the 30th, at 10 a. m., engaged the enemy about six miles east of Red Oak and drove him two miles; engaged him again and drove him three miles, and engaged him again and drove him into Jonesborough. On the 31st of August moved to burnt bridge, on Flint River, about one mile and a half southwest of Jonesborough. At 1 p. m. commenced shelling the enemy with one section. At 3 p. m. Gen. Cleburne's division charged us, and the whole battery was brought into action. We held the position until our ammunition was exhausted, when the whole command fell back. In this action I piece was disabled and 2 horses killed.
On the 1st of September the battery went back to burnt bridge and shelled the enemy at intervals until 3 p. m. On the 2d day of September moved about six miles to Glass' Bridge. About 2 p. m. engaged the enemy, silenced his battery, and drove him off. On the 3d day of September moved about five miles and went into camp near Lovejoy's Station on the right of the Seventeenth Army Corps. On the 5th day of September fell back to burnt bridge. On the 7th of September the enemy threatened us again at burnt bridge. We sent him eight fuse shells with our compliments, bade him good bye, fell back to Red Oak, and on the 8th day of September we arrived at this place.
I am, lieutenant, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Y. V. BEEBE
Capt. Tenth Wisconsin Volunteer Artillery.
Lieut. E. P. STURGES,
A. A. D. C., Hdqrs. Chief of Arty., Dept. of the Cumberland.
Source: Official Records
PAGE 903-73 THE ATLANTA CAMPAIGN. [CHAP. L.
[Series I. Vol. 38. Part II, Reports. Serial No. 73.]
Report of Capt. Yates V. Beebe, Tenth Wisconsin Battery.
HDQRS. TENTH WISCONSIN BATTERY, December 18, 1864.
CAPT.: In compliance with a circular from your headquarters, dated December 17, 1864, I have the honor to report that the Tenth Wisconsin Batter left Marietta, Ga., on the 14th day of November, 1864. On the 16th day of November the battery was in action at Lovejoy's Station and at Bear Creek Station. At Lovejoy's Station the battery silenced the enemy's guns and took possession of two of them after the cavalry had run them down. On the 19th the battery crossed the Ocmulgee and marched thirty-two miles to Clinton. This day's march killed the horses. On the 20th the battery was in action near Macon; had one wagon broken and destroyed. On the 23d, near Gordon, broke an axle and destroyed a caisson. On the 24th, 25th, 26th, and 27th the company marched 123 miles, to Waynesborough; had 30 horses killed and abandoned. On the 28th the battery was in action at Jones' plantation near Buck Head Church, and on the 29th arrived at Louisville, Ga.
December 1, 2, and 3, the battery marched with Gen. Baird's division to Thomas' Station, seven miles south of Waynesborough. On the 4th the battery was in action at Waynesborough. On the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th the battery marched seventy-three miles, to Ebenezer. On the 11th the battery went into camp within five miles of Savannah, on the Macon and Savannah Railroad. On the 13th and 14th the battery marched thirty miles to Midway Church. On the 16th the battery went into camp at King's Bridge, where it remains yet.
During this campaign the company has been in action seven times and marched 520 miles. They have lost 1 wagon, 50 horses, and 1 caisson. They have captured 2 horses, 10 mules, and 2 guns.
In a report of this kind there cannot be much said to dazzle the imagination; but if cheerful fighting, tedious marching and tireless vigilance does lack excitement, it cannot fail to command the admiration of friends and foes.
I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Y. V. BEEBE,
Capt. Tenth Battery Wisconsin Volunteer Artillery.
Capt. H. J. SMITH,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen.
Source: Official Records
PAGE 405-92 OPERATIONS IN S. C., GA., AND FLA. [CHAP. LVI.
[Series I. Vol. 44. Serial No. 92.]
Report of Lieut. Elbert W. Fowler, Tenth Wisconsin Battery, of operations January 27-March 24.
HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., SEC. TENTH WISCONSIN BATTERY, In the Field, Mount Olive, N. C., March 27, 1865.
CAPT.: Agreeable to orders I respectfully submit the following report of the operations of my command during the campaign commencing at Savannah, Ca., January 27, and ending at Mount Olive, N. C., March 24, 1865:
By easy marches, with the brigade, I reached Sister's Ferry, Ga., February 1, and rested till the p. m. of the 3d instant; then crossed the Savannah River, wading swamps and fording mud holes six miles to Robertsville, S. C., my first bivouac, and the commencement of operations in the Carolinas. From Robertsville, via Lawtonville, Allendale, Barnwell Court-House, Blackville, Williston, Windsor, to Johnson's Turnout, on the South Carolina Railroad, twenty-two miles from Augusta, was without special incident to the battery.
March 11 [February], in position on the pike at Johnson's Turnout, facing toward Aiken; open level ground to my left, front, and right, bounded by pine woods about 1,000 yards distant. By order of Gen. Kilpatrick I opened fire upon the enemy's charging line of cavalry as they emerged from the woods in front with both guns, while Second Brigade was forming in the barricades on the right, and fired slowly till the enemy opened fire on my left, when I, by order of Capt. Beebe, chief of artillery, cavalry division, moved quickly to the left to the rail barricade, 600 yards distant, and had time to fire but two rounds of canister before the enemy, already whipped by the Eighth Indiana Cavalry (my support on the left), got out of range. Fired this day from the two guns fifty-nine rounds, of which two were canister, the rest fuse-shells. What execution my fire did I was unable to learn, as I had no opportunity to visit the field after the fight.
From the time I left Johnson's Turnout, February 13, to the time the command reached the North Carolina line north of Chesterfield, March 4, was hard marching for artillery, and told severely on my horses.
Near Hornsborough Post-Office, S. C., March 4, there was considerable skirmishing with the enemy's cavalry, which had followed us closely for some time. In the evening, by order of Col. Jordan, commanding brigade, one gun was run by hand to the crest of a hill about 100 yards to the right of my park, and fired one shell at the enemy's cavalry picket-post, distant about 1,000 yards, which had the effect of dispersing the force. About one hour later the brigade was moved rapidly about two miles southeast, and the battery, by order of Gen. Kilpatrick, put in position enfilading the road to the rear. The rest of the division passed, leaving the First Brigade to protect the rear. I was very much dissatisfied with my position, but owing to the quicksand around me could not better it--on a rise of ground, woods in rear, devoid of protection for limbers or caissons, in rear of and above the rail barricades, with woods to the front and left, distant but about 500 yards, with the dismounted cavalry in the barricades in front of the guns in my way, so that I could not fire without firing over their heads, impracticable for canister and dangerous for shell, especially after dark. Two regiments formed my support on the left, facing to the front and left flank; the balance of the brigade was on the right. I did not know their positions. At dusk the enemy's cavalry charged, mounted, from the woods on the left of the road (I was on the right) and I commenced firing by order of Col. Jordan, commanding brigade; seven shells in connection with the fire of the other troops drove the enemy back and they troubled us no more. Via Morven, N. C., pontoon bridge at Rocky Mount Post-Office, S. C., Rockingham, N. C., to Fayetteville, N. C., which the command reached March 11, was severe marching for artillery, killing several horses by overwork on rough, muddy roads, and in swamps so near impassable that the carriages had to be hauled through by hand, the horses not being able to stand up in the road.
March 15, from Fayetteville across pontoon bridge to the vicinity of Averasborough I marched in the rain and mud at a trot. The road was rough and muddy and tried my horses as much as any march in the campaign. The next morning the First Brigade advanced a mile or more toward Averasborough, and were skirmishing heavily before I was ordered on the field. By order of Gen. Kilpatrick I came in battery on a rise of ground in an open field on the left of the road, and distant about 1,500 yards from the enemy's earth-works, behind which was a battery of four guns, 12-pounder brass, which opened fire upon me while I was coming up the road and getting into position. The enemy's battery was on about the same plane as my guns, level open ground between, except a wooded ravine about 200 yards in my front, which partially screened my guns from the enemy's fire. I commenced firing with singularly good effect as reported by prisoners taken. The first five shots fired (fuse-shell) took effect, each killing a man or horse. The third shot fired exploded a limber. During the time I was in action, and before any other guns opened on the enemy I received notice that I had dismounted one of their guns-hit it on the face. The position of our lines I knew nothing of, except the heaviest musketry was in the woods to my right. I attracted and kept the fire of the enemy's battery directed upon me, so that as far as I could learn not a man of the cavalry division was injured by their fire. I was ordered to cease firing by Capt. Beebe, chief of artillery of the cavalry division, and was immediately after relieved by the artillery of the Twentieth Army Corps. Ammunition expended, 150 rounds, about equal parts fuseshell and case-shot.
That evening the command moved to Black River and bivouacked. From Black River to Mount Olive the battery was not engaged. The fuses provided for 3-inch rifled guns I have found very defective, not over half of the shells exploding. The superiority of the 3-inch rifle over the 12-pounder Napoleon at 1,500 yards was very marked. I had no casualties of men or horses, while my fire was very destructive to the enemy. The caissons for field artillery are ill-adapted for cavalry service. My experience has been that one-third more horsed are killed by overwork on the caissons than on the pieces. Taking off the spare wheel and rear ammunition chest would equalize the draughts.
Where all men did their duty it is hard to distinguish. Sergeants Alonzo Priest and Henry L. Childs, chiefs of pieces, for coolness and general efficiency; Corporals Reuben Bixler, detailed from Company K, Ninth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and J. W. Ratliff, detailed from Company D, Fifth Kentucky Cavalry, for accuracy of fire; John W. Pratt, Tenth Wisconsin Battery, and Jacob McKinley, detailed from Company C, Ninth Pennsylvania Cavalry, acting at post No. 6; George Farbar, detailed from Company B, Ninth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and Philip I. Whitman, Company H, Ninth Pennsylvania Cavalry, acting at post No. 1, for good conduct and efficiency deserve mention.
Respectfully submitted.
E. W. FOWLER,
Second Lieut., Cmdg. Section Tenth Wisconsin Battery.
Capt. WARD,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen.
Report of Lieut. Oscar A. Clark, Tenth Wisconsin Battery, of operations January 28-March 24/
HDQRS. SECOND BRIGADE ARTILLERY, In the Field, March 29, 1865.
CAPT.: In compliance with circular from Second Brigade, Cavalry Command, I have the honor to report that this section of Tenth Wisconsin Battery on the 17th day of January, 1865, reported to Second Brigade, Third Cavalry Division, for duty. It left camp near Savannah, Ga., on the 28th day of January, 1865, then marched to Sister's Ferry, on the Savannah River.
February 3, crossed the Savannah River. February 6, in action near Barnwell, S. C., shelling the enemy and driving him from his intrenchments. February 7, struck the Augusta and Charleston Railroad at Blackville. February 11, in action at Aiken; retired to Johnson's Station; here this section was posted behind barricades, where it shelled and checked the enemy's advance and drove them back through the woods. February 14, in action at the North Edisto River, shelling the enemy; crossed the river, and drove him from his barricade. February 17, crossed the Saluda River at Train's Ferry. February 20, crossed Broad River. February 22, were at Black Stocks, on the Columbia and Charlotte Railroad. February 23, crossed the Catawba River at Rocky Mount. February 25, camped at Lancaster Court-House. March 4, in action near Hornsborough, S. C. March 6, crossed the Great Pedee River near Rockingham. March 12, lost one man captured, Joseph Unselt, private. March 13, crossed Cape Fear River at Fayetteville. March 15, in action at Moore's Cross-Roads. March 20, were in line of battle in rear of our infantry at Bentonville. March 22, the enemy left our infantry's front; campaign ended.
This section of the Tenth Wisconsin Battery, since breaking camp near Savannah, has marched nearly 500 miles. It has drawn but five days' rations of hard bread and eight of coffee, subsisting almost entirely on the country.
This plain, unvarnished report has not much in it do dazzle the imagination, but if ceaseless energy and cheerfully performing our duties throughout a long and tedious campaign should meet with the approbation of our commander, we shall feel proud of the humble part which we were permitted to take in the great and glorious campaign which has just ended so successfully to our arms and our cause and with such disaster to the arms and cause of the enemies of our common country.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
O. A. CLARK,
Second Lieut., Tenth Wisconsin Battery.
Capt. H. J. SMITH,
A. A. A. G., 2d Brig., 3d Cav. Div., Mil. Div. of the Miss.
Source: Official Records
PAGE 906-98 OPERATIONS IN N. C., S. C., S. GA., AND E. FLA. [CHAP. LIX.
[Series I. Vol. 47. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 98.]
Battles (where losses incurred) involving 7th Light Artillery Battery Regiment
| Location | Date | Killed | Wounded | POW | Missing | Losses |
| Corinth, MS | May 28 1862 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Brigade, Division, Corps, and Army assignments for 10th Light Artillery Battery Regiment
From | To | Brigade | Division | Corps | Army/Department | Comments |
Apr 1862 | Jul 1862 | Artillery | Army of the Mississippi | New Organization | ||
Jul 1862 | 09/29/62 | Artillery | 1 | Army of the Mississippi | ||
Sep 1862 | Nov 1862 | 1 | 13 | Army of Ohio | ||
11/05/62 | 01/09/63 | Artillery | 4 | Centre, 14 | Army of Cumberland | |
01/09/63 | 06/08/63 | Artillery | 4 | 14 | Dept and Army of Ohio and Cumberland | |
06/08/63 | 10/09/63 | Artillery | 2 | Reserve | Dept and Army of Ohio and Cumberland | |
Oct 1863 | Apr 1864 | Unassigned Arty | Dept and Army of Ohio and Cumberland | |||
Nov 1863 | Mar 1864 | Artillery Reserve | 2 | Military Division of the Mississippi | ||
04/02/64 | 10/29/64 | Artillery | 3 | Cavalry | Dept and Army of Ohio and Cumberland | |
10/29/64 | Apr 1865 | Artillery | 3 | Cavalry | Military Division of the Mississippi | Mustered Out |
Roster for 10th Light Artillery Battery Regiment - 253 men
Source: Roster of Wisconsin Volunteers; War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865; Volumes I and II; compiled by Authority of the Legislature, under the direction of Jeremiah M. Rusk, Governor & Chandler P. Chapman, Adjutant General; Democrat Printing Company, State Printers; Madison, Wisconsin; 1886
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