Bryan's & Chapman's Battery
First To Use Indirect Fire in Combat
Fayetteville, May 19, 1863
Bryan's Battery, also called Lewisburg Artillery, was organized during the summer of 1862. It served with the Army of Western Virginia and in December contained 4 officers and 116 men. Later the unit was assigned to McCausland's Brigade, Department of Western Virginia and East Tennessee.
It sustained 5 casualties in the fight at Cloyd's Mountain, and in December, 1864, attached to J.F. King's Battalion of Artillery, served with Early in the Shenandoah Valley. The battery disbanded during the spring of 1865. Captain Thomas A. Bryan was in command.
Shelling Union Camp At Gauley
Sgt. Milton W. Humphreys
Sgt. Andrew N. Campbell
Sgt. John Lynch
Cpl. John T. Lewis
Pvt. John W. Wallace: "Great Ceasers Ghost..."
Pvt. William James: wounded by spent ball
Not Forgotten
"Katie" 3 Inch Rifle Bronze
"Bettie" 6 Pdr Gun Bronze
"Nannie" 12 Pdr Howitzer Bronze
"Sue" 12 Pdr Howitzer Iron
"Mollie" 12 Pdr Howitzer Iron
G.B. Chapman's Company, Virginia Light Artillery, aka Monroe Battery
Monroe Light Artillery was organized in April, 1862, with men from Amherst County. The unit was active in the Kanawha Valley, then assigned to the Department of Western Virginia participated in numerous conflicts including the actions at White Sulphur Springs and Lewisburg. Later it was active in Early's Shenandoah Valley Campaign and disbanded in the spring of 1865. In December, 1862, the company contained 3 officers and 116 men, and in April, 1864, there were 4 officers and 125 men present. Its commander was Captain George B. Chapman. George Beirne Chapman is the 21-year-old son of General
Augustus A Chapman. (24 Pdr Howitzer, 2- 12 Pdr Howitzers, 2- 6 Pdr Guns)
November 5, 1863 the Battery moved with General Echols to Droop Mountain.
Averell again advanced and Chapman's Battery was placed on Sweet Spring Mountain. Averell took the back roads, crossed the Jackson River burning the bridge behind him. Captain Chapman was unaware of this until he saw the smoke from the burning bridge. The Battery then took up winter quarters at Second Creek near Curry's Mill for 4 months.
On May 6, 1864 the Battery marched to Jackson River Depot. From there to Staunton. Here they were met by General Breckenridge. May 13th, General Breckenridge and his 5300 men, including Chapman's Battery, moved towards New Market to engage 9000 Federal troops.
Before noon Chapman's Battery was on Shirley's Hill and ready for battle, fighting at Bushings Farm. Chapman's Battery blasted Union Cavalry. The cavalry retreated and returned fire as they and fled.