Palmetto Light Artillery, South Carolina Volunteers, April 8th, 1862, to April 12th, 1865

Palmetto Light Artillery
South Carolina Volunteers, April 8th, 1862, to April 12th, 1865

The following historical information is about the service of both the battery, and the men, of the Palmetto Light Artillery, South Carolina Volunteers, (also known as Garden's Battery) which served in the American Civil War from April 1862 to April 1865. If you have any corrections, suggestions, or additional information, photographs, artifacts, etc., that you wish to contribute, feel free to submit the information to the Webmaster.

BATTERY TIMELINE

March 25th, 1862: Color Sergeant Hugh R. Garden of the 2nd South Carolina Volunteer Infantry Regiment, receives authority from the Secretary of War, to recruit men from the 2nd, 8th & 9th Infantry Regiments, and new recruits, for the purpose of forming a battery of light artillery.

April 18th, 1862: The battery is mustered into Confederate States service as the Palmetto Light Artillery, South Carolina Volunteers, at Sumter, South Carolina, for three years' service. At the same time the Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian and Episcopal Churches in Sumter donated their bell's to be melted down and turned into cannon for the battery; however, in April 1863 the Baptist Church's bells are returned to them for an unknown reason.

April to June 1862: Served on duty in South Carolina.

April 27th, 1862: The battery moved from its camp in Sumter to Camp Hampton near Columbia, South Carolina.

April to June 1862: The battery is on duty at Camp Hampton near Columbia, South Carolina.

July 1862: The battery is ordered to Virginia, and reports at Richmond, Virginia.

July to August 7th, 1862: In camp near at Richmond, Virginia; at this time the battery's armament is reported as being one 12-pnd. Howitzer, one 12-pnd. Napoleon and two 6-pnd. Smoothbore guns.

August 1862: Served in the Manassas Campaign (Virginia).

August 22nd to 25th, 1862

August 30th & 31st, 1862

September 1862: Served in the Maryland Campaign.

September 14th, 1862

September 17th, 1862

November to December 1862: Served in the Rappahannock Campaign (Virginia).

December 13th, 1862

April to May 1863: Served in the Suffolk Campaign (Virginia).

April 11th, 1863

May 3rd, 1863

June to July 1863: Served in the Pennsylvania Campaign; at this time the battery is armed with two 12-pndr. Napoleons and two 10-pnd. Parrott Guns.

July 2nd & 3rd, 1863

October 9th to 22nd, 1863: Served in the Bristoe Campaign (Virginia).

November to December 1863: Served in the Mine Run Campaign (Virginia).

April to June 1864: Served in the Overland Campaign (Virginia).

May 5th & 6th, 1864

May 8th to 21st, 1864

May 23rd to 26th, 1864

June 1st to 3rd, 1864

June 1864 to April 1865: Served in the Siege of Richmond & Petersburg, Virginia.

June 18th, 1864

July 30th, 1864

September 30th, 1864

October 27th, 1864

April 2nd to 10th, 1865: Served in the Appomattox Campaign (Virginia).

April 2nd, 1865

April 5th, 1865

April 7th, 1865

April 8th, 1865

April 9th, 1865: The battery surrendered with the Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox Station, Virginia; at the time there were present three (3) officers and ninety-eight (98) enlisted men.

April 12th, 1865: The battery is paroled and disbanded at Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia.

ASSIGNMENTS

April to June 1862 - Department of South Carolina, Georgia & Florida

August 1862 to February 1863 - Kemper's Artillery Battalion, Hood's Division, 1st Corps, Army of Northern Virginia

February to April 1863 - Kemper's Artillery Battalion, Hood's Division, Department of North Carolina & Southern Virginia

April to May 1863 - Kemper (Henry's) Artillery Battalion, Hood's Division, Department of Southern Virginia

May to July 1863 - Henry's Artillery Battalion, Hood's Division, 1st Corps, Army of Northern Virginia

July to September 1863 - Henry's Artillery Battalion, 1st Corps, Army of Northern Virginia

September to October 1863 - Henry's (Haskell's) Artillery Battalion, Reserve Artillery, Army of Northern Virginia

October 1863 to May 1864 - Haskell's Artillery Battalion, 3rd Corps, Army of Northern Virginia

May 1864 to April 1865 - Haskell's Artillery Battalion, 1st Corps, Army of Northern Virginia

ROSTER

CAPTAIN

(Find-A-Grave)

Garden, Hugh Richardson: Of Sumter District, South Carolina. Enlisted on April 8th, 1861, at Sumter, South Carolina, for twelve months' service; mustered into service as a Private in Company D of the 2nd South Carolina Volunteer Infantry Regiment on May 23rd, 1861, at Camp Davis near Richmond, Virginia; promoted to Regimental Color Sergeant on May 23rd, 1861; re-enlisted on February 7th, 1862, for two years' service; discharged per orders on March 25th, 1862, to accept an appointment. Enrolled on March 25th, 1862, for the duration of the war; mustered into service as Captain of the Palmetto Light Artillery, South Carolina Volunteers, on April 18th, 1862, at Sumter, South Carolina; absent, on a twenty six days furlough from October 23rd, 1863; admitted to the Jackson Hospital in Richmond, Virginia, on June 14th, 1864, suffering from intermittent fever; returned to duty on July 2nd, 1864; surrendered with the battery on April 9th, 1865, at Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia; paroled on April 10th, 1865, at Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia, the time he was described as being 23 years old, was 5 ft. 4 in. tall, of a fair complexion, with black eyes and black hair. [Born on July 9th, 1840, in Sumter, South Carolina, the son of Alester (1818-1848) & Elizabeth Richardson Garden (1814-1874); married Miss Lucy Gordon Robertson (1845-1931), no date; died on October 25th, 1910, at Southport, North Carolina; buried at the Sumter Cemetery in Sumter, Sumter County, South Carolina.]

Sources - CRSC, CSR (2IR & PLA), GS, SCTCS

SENIOR FIRST LIEUTENANT

Coit, William H.: Of Chesterfield District, South Carolina. Enrolled on March 25th, 1862, for the duration of the war; mustered into service as Senior First Lieutenant of the Palmetto Light Artillery, South Carolina Volunteers, on April 18th, 1862, at Sumter, South Carolina; detailed to duty as Enrolling Officer of Chesterfield District, South Carolina, from June to August 1862; absent, on a twenty seven days furlough from February 18th, 1863; absent, on a sick leave of absence, in December 1863; absent, sick in hospital, in February 1864; admitted to General Hospital No. 4 in Richmond, Virginia, on April 16th, 1864, suffering from chronic dysentery; returned to duty on May 1st, 1864; absent, sick in hospital at Fayetteville, North Carolina, in June 1864; admitted to the Jackson Hospital in Richmond, Virginia, on September 5th, 1864, suffering from dysentery; furloughed for thirty-days from October 1st, 1864; surrendered with the battery on April 9th, 1865, at Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia; paroled on April 10th, 1865, at Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia, the time he was described as being 30 years old, was 5 ft. 9 in. tall, of a fair complexion, with blue eyes and light hair. [Born ca. 1835 in South Carolina.]

Sources - CRSC, CSR

JUNIOR FIRST LIEUTENANT

(Find-A-Grave)

Coit, George Erasmus: Of Chesterfield District, South Carolina. Enrolled on March 25th, 1862, for the duration of the war; mustered into service as Senior Second Lieutenant of the Palmetto Light Artillery, South Carolina Volunteers, on April 18th, 1862, at Sumter, South Carolina; promoted to Junior 1st Lieutenant on September 25th, 1862, vice Lieutenant Pringle had died; absent, detailed to duty as a recruiting officer in South Carolina, from January 26th, 1863; killed in action on May 3rd, 1863, at Suffolk, Virginia. [Born on October 27th, 1838, in South Carolina, the son of John Caulkins (1799-1863) & Elen Phebe North Coit (1812-1843); died on May 3rd, 1863, at Suffolk, Virginia; buried at the Old Saint David's Episcopal Church Cemetery in Cheraw, Chesterfield County, South Carolina.]

Sources - CRSC, CSR, GS

McQueen, William Alexander: Of Sumter District, South Carolina. Enlisted on April 8th, 1861, at Sumter, South Carolina, for twelve months' service; mustered into service as Third Sergeant of Company D of the 2nd South Carolina Volunteer Infantry Regiment on May 23rd, 1861, at Camp Davis near Richmond, Virginia; promoted to First Sergeant prior to February 1862; re-enlisted on February 7th, 1862, for two years' service; discharged per orders on March 25th, 1862, to accept an appointment. Enrolled on March 25th, 1862, for the duration of the war; mustered into service as Junior Second Lieutenant of the Palmetto Light Artillery, South Carolina Volunteers, on April 18th, 1862, at Sumter, South Carolina; promoted to Senior Second Lieutenant to rank from September 25th, 1862, vice Lieutenant Coit was promoted; promoted to Junior First Lieutenant to rank from May 3rd, 1863, vice Lieutenant Coit was killed; absent, on a twenty-one-day furlough from February 13th, 1864; reduced to the rank of Senior Second Lieutenant between March & April 1864; wounded in action (right side) on October 5th, 1864, near Richmond, Virginia; admitted to the Receiving & Wayside Hospital (General Hospital No. 9) in Richmond, Virginia, on October 6th, 1864, suffering from a gunshot wound of the right side; transferred to the Jackson Hospital in Richmond, Virginia, on October 7th, 1864; furloughed for thirty days from October 21st, 1864; absent, on a thirty day furlough, from February 1865; killed in action on April 9th, 1865, at Dingle's Mill, South Carolina. [Born on February 3rd, 1839, in Cheraw, South Carolina, the son of Donald (1810-1880) & Clara Harlowe Prince McQueen (1814-1899); died on April 9th, 1865, at Dingle's Mill near Sumter, South Carolina; buried at the Sumter Cemetery in Sumter, Sumter County, South Carolina.]

Sources - CRSC, CSR (2IR & PLA), GS, SCTCS

(Find-A-Grave)

Pringle, Samuel McBride: Of Sumter District, South Carolina. Enlisted on April 8th, 1861, at Sumter, South Carolina, for twelve months' service; mustered into service as a Musician in Company D of the 2nd South Carolina Volunteer Infantry Regiment on May 23rd, 1861, at Camp Davis near Richmond, Virginia; promoted to Fourth Sergeant prior to February 1862; re-enlisted on February 7th, 1862, for two years' service; discharged per orders on April 17th, 1862, to accept an appointment. Enrolled and was mustered into service as Junior First Lieutenant of the Palmetto Light Artillery, South Carolina Volunteers, on April 17th, 1862, near Richmond, Virginia, for the duration of the war; mortally wounded in action on September 17th, 1862, at Sharpsburg, Maryland; died of wounds on September 24th, 1862, at Winchester, Virginia. [Born on December 7th, 1839, in Shaw's Crossroads, South Carolina, the son of Elijah (1800-1884) & Rebecca Frances McBride Pringle (1797-1878); died on September 24th, 1862, at Winchester, Virginia; buried at the Mount Hebron Cemetery in Winchester, Virginia.]

Sources - CRSC, CSR (2IR & PLA), GS, SCTCS

JUNIOR SECOND LIEUTENANT

Muldrow, James Reid: Of Sumter District, South Carolina. Enlisted on April 8th, 1861, at Sumter, South Carolina, for twelve months' service; mustered into service as a Private in Company D of the 2nd South Carolina Volunteer Infantry Regiment on May 23rd, 1861, at Camp Davis near Richmond, Virginia; re-enlisted on February 7th, 1862, for two years' service; absent, sick in hospital, in March 1862; discharged per orders on March 25th, 1862, to re-enlist. Enrolled on April 8th, 1862, at Sumter, South Carolina, for the duration of the war; mustered into service as Third Sergeant of the Palmetto Light Artillery, South Carolina Volunteers, on April 18th, 1862, at Sumter, South Carolina; detailed to extra duty as battery Quartermaster Sergeant from June 27th, 1862, to January 1863; discharged per orders on May 13th, 1863, to accept an appointment. Enrolled and was mustered into service as Junior Second Lieutenant of the Palmetto Light Artillery, South Carolina Volunteers, on May 13th, 1863, vice Lieutenant McQueen was promoted, for the duration of the war; admitted to the General Hospital at Camp Winder in Richmond, Virginia, in August 1864; furloughed for thirty days from August 24th, 1864; absent, on a twenty five day furlough, from January 28th, 1865; at the Wayside Hospital in Florence, South Carolina, on February 17th, 1865; surrendered with the battery on April 9th, 1865, at Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia; paroled on April 10th, 1865, at Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia, the time he was described as being 24 years old, was 5 ft. 8 in. tall, of a fair complexion, with grey eyes and light hair. [Born on May 6th, 1840, in Sumter District, South Carolina, the son of Matthew Ellison (1794-1867) & Sophronia Anderson Muldrow (1798-1880); died on December 16th, 1913; buried at the Salem Black River Cemetery in Mayesville, Sumter County, South Carolina.]

Sources - CRSC, CSR (2IR & PLA), GS, SCTCS

FIRST SERGEANT

Reid, Thomas Goulding: Of Sumter District, South Carolina. [Born on December 21st, 1837, in Sumter District, South Carolina, the son of William Moultrie (1798-1884) & Margaret Johnson Goulding Reid (1814-1900); died on July 30th, 1876, in White County, Arkansas; buried at the Bethesda Cemetery in Rose Bud, White County, Arkansas.]

Sources - CRSC, GS

SERGEANT

Coit, Julius Thornwell: Of Chesterfield District, South Carolina. [Born on July 29th, 1837, in Connecticut, the son of John Caulkins (1799-1863) & Elen Phebe North Coit (1812-1843); died on August 25th, 1880, in Raleigh, North Carolina; buried at the Elmwood Cemetery in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.]

Sources - CRSC, GS

Garden, Alester: Of Sumter District, South Carolina. [Born in 1843, the son of Alester (1818-1848) & Elizabeth Richardson Garden (1814-1874); died on May 25th, 1863, in Suffolk, Virginia; buried at the Sumter Cemetery in Sumter, Sumter County, South Carolina.]

Sources - CRSC, GS

Haynesworth, Matthew E.: Of Sumter District, South Carolina.