Unit History – 1st Company Richmond Howitzers

Was accepted into Confederate service in June, 1861. Its members were recruited in Richmond. After taking part in the Battle of First Manassas, the unit joined the Army of Northern Virginia and served in H. C. Cabell’s Battalion. It participated in various conflicts from Williamsburg to Cold Harbor, then was active int he Petersburg siege south and north of the James River and around Appomattox. This battery contained 90 men at Gettysburg and surrendered with 12 on April 9, 1865. Captains Edward S. McCarthy, William P. Palmer, and John C. Shields were in command.

From Joseph H. Crute, Jr., Units of the Confederate States Army, p. 411

Unit History – Alexandria Light Artillery

Was organized in March, 1861, and mustered into Confederate service in April Fought at First Manassas and in April, 1862, totalled 77 effectives. Later it served in Kershaw’s Brigade, saw action in the Seven Days’ Battles, then was assigned C. E. Lightfoot’s Battalion in the Department of Richmond. In January, 1864, the company was dismounted and merged into the 18th Battalion Virginia Heavy Artillery. Captains Delaware Kemper and David L. Smoot were its commanders.

From Joseph H. Crute, Jr., Units of the Confederate States Army, pp. 393-394

Unit History – 8th Louisiana Infantry

Completed its organization at Camp Moore, Louisiana, in June, 1861. Its members were from the parishes of East Baton Rouge, West Baton Rouge, Bienville, St. Martin, St. Landry, Webster, Rapides, and Plaquemines. Sent to Virginia, six companies (508 men) were held in reserve during the Battle of First Manassas. During the war it was brigaded under Generals R. Taylor, Hays, and York. It fought in JAckson’s Valley Campaign and on many battlefields of the Army of Northern Virginia from the Seven Days’ Battle to Cold Harbor. The 8th went on to participate in Early’s operations in the Shenandoah Valley, then shared in various conflicts around Appomattox. It reported 9 killed and 37 wounded at Cross Keys and Port Republic, had 15 killed and 69 wounded during the Seven Days’ Battles, and sustained 91 casualties in the Maryland Campaign. The unit lost 12 killed and 71 wounded at Chancellorsville and twenty-five percent of the 296 engaged at Gettysburg.. It had 162 captured at Rappahannock Station. Only 3 officers and 54 men surrendered. Its commanders were Colonels Alcibiades DeBlanc, Henry B. Kelly, and Trevanion D. Lewis; Lieutenant Colonels Germain A. Lester and Francis T. Nicholls; and Major John B. Prados.

From Joseph H. Crute, Jr., Units of the Confederate States Army, p. 146