German Light Artillery-- Part 2: Defense of Savannad, Carolinas Campaign and Bennett Place

From the National Park Service  Battle Unit Details

BACHMAN'S COMPANY, SOUTH CAROLINA ARTILLERY (GERMAN LIGHT ARTILLERY)

I also imagine this unit was made up of a lot of men of German descent.

The German Light Artillery (also called the Charleston German Artillery) completed its organization in the spring of 1862.  The unit moved to Virginia, served  in B.W. Frobel's and M.W. Henry's Battalion of Artillery, and fought with the Army of Northern Virginia from the Seven Days' Battles to Gettysburg, except when it was with Longstreet at Suffolk.

During October 1863 it was ordered to to South Carolina and later participated in the defense of Savannah before returning to South Carolina.

It reported seven casualties during the Seven Days' Battles, had two killed and two wounded in the Maryland Campaign and took 71 men to Gettysburg.

The company had 94 men at Charleston in April 1864, was refitted after being in Georgia and during April 1865, Captain William K. Bachman was in command.  They surrendered with Johnston at Bennett Place, North Carolina.

William K. Bachman commanded the unit for the whole war.

--Old Secesh

Wisconsin Drummer Boy-- Part 3: Frank Pettis, 11 Years Old

Frank Pettis of Reedsburg, Wisconsin, was 11 when he enlisted.  His father Amos played the fife and also enlisted.  Father and Son going to war together.

Frank began his military career at age 12 in Co. A, 19th Wisconsin, under Captain A.P. Ellinwood.  He served from February 22, 1862, to August 9, 1865.

He was at every battle the 19th Wisconsin fought in from Suffolk, Virginia, to New Berne, North Carolina to the siege at Petersburg and Richmond, where the regiment's colors were the first to fly over the Confederate Capitol after its capture.

--Old Secesh

The Smith Briggs at the Battle of Suffolk, Virginia

From Wikipedia.

The Smith Briggs was under the command of Captain Lee (I now know his initials were J.C. and that he was in Co. I of the 99th New York Infantry) at the Battle of Suffolk, Virgina, April 13-15, 1863. It was part of the Upper Nansemond Flotilla under the command of Lt. Roswell Lamson, USN, along with one other Army gunboat and five Navy ships.

The two Army gunboats: SMITH BRIGGS under Capt. J.C. Lee of Co. I, 99th NY.

WEST END, under Capt. F.A. Rowe (I believe he commanded the Smith Briggs at the Battle of Smithfield where he was wounded and captured), of Co. E, 99th NY. So both men were from the 99th New York Infantry (so that will be another story).

Of interest also is that the Lower Nansemond Flotilla at the battle, which consisted of four U.S. Navy ships, was commanded by Lt. William B. Cushing, who later went on to great exploits against the Confederates and the sinking of the CSS Albemarle.

The Battle of Suffolk, Virginia, was in cooperation with Confederate General D.H. Hill's advance on Washington, North Carolina.

Amazing How Much I'm Finding On This Ship. --Old Secesh