1st Battery, Vermont Light Artillery
HISTORICAL NOTES:
The 1st Battery, Vermont Light Artillery was organized at Burlington, on November 19, 1861
It mustered into United States service on February 18, 1862, with 154 men, and gained 63 recruits during its career. George W. Duncan was the battery's first captain, but it is named after George T. Hebard, who assumed command on the resignation of Duncan on February 11, 1863.
Original members mustered out on August 10, 1864, and recruits were transferred to the 2nd Vermont Battery. The battery was engaged at Plain's Store, Louisiana, May 21, 1863, the Siege of Port Hudson, from May 25 to July 9, 1863, Pleasant Hill, on April 9, 1864, Monett's Ferry on April 23, 1864, and Yellow Bayou, or Bayou de Glaise, on May 18, 1864. The battery mustered out August 9, 1865.
It suffered 3 killed in action or died of wounds, 42 died of disease, and 1 died from an accident, at total of 46 deaths. Dyer lists 3 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 51 Enlisted men by disease. Total 54. Other losses included 36 honorably discharged, 51 transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps or other organizations, and 3 men who deserted. The battery suffered 7 men wounded.
OFFICERS:
Captain George W. Duncan
Captain George T. Hebard
ASSIGNMENTS:
Organized at Brattleboro and mustered in February 18, 1862. Left State for New York City March 6. Sailed on Steamer "Wallace" for Ship Island March 10, arriving April 5. Attached to Phelps' 1st Brigade, Dept. of the Gulf, to December, 1862, Artillery, 2nd Division, 19th Army Corps, Dept. of the Gulf, to June, 1863. Artillery, 3rd Division, 19th Army Corps, to September, 1863. Artillery, District of LaFourche, Dept. of the Gulf, to January, 1864. Artillery, 2nd Division, 19th Army Corps, Army of the Gulf, to July, 1864. Artillery, 1st Division, 19th Army Corps, to August, 1864.
SERVICE:
Duty at Ship Island until May 16, 1863. Moved to Camp Parapet, Defenses of New Orleans, La., May 16, and duty there until January 17, 1863. (Center Section at Fort Pike May 6 to June 4, 1862.) Duty at New Orleans until May 19, 1863. Expedition to Lake Pontchatrain April 18-21. Moved to Baton Rouge, La., May 19. Advance on Port Hudson, La., May 21-24. Siege of Port Hudson May 24-July 9. Surrender of Port Hudson July 9. March to Baton Rouge July 11-12. Return to Port Hudson July 23, and duty there until September 1. Ordered to New Orleans, La., September 1. Sabine Pass, Texas Expedition, September 3-11. Moved to Brashear City, thence to Berwick City and to Fort Bisland September 16-23. Return to Brashear City September 28, and duty there until March 3, 1864. Moved to Franklin March 3. Red River Campaign March 10-May 22. Advance from Franklin to Alexandria March 14-26. Battle of Sabine Cross Roads April 8. Pleasant Hill April 9. Monett's Bluff, Cane River Crossing, April 23. Alexandria April 30-May 10. Retreat to Morganza May 13-20. Mansura May 16. Yellow Bayou May 18. Duty at Morganza until July. Moved to Baton Rouge July 3. thence ordered home July 28. Mustered out August 10, 1864. Recruits transferred to 2nd Vermont Battery.
ROSTERS:
The composite rosters of this unit contain the names of 305 men.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Benedict, George C. Vermont in the Civil War: A History of the Part Taken by Vermont Soldiers and Sailors in the War of the Union, 1861-1865. 2 Vols. Burlington, VT: Free Pr Assn, 1888. E533B46v2. Reprint 2009. Eastern Digital Resources.
Burnell, George W. "The Development of Our Army." In War Papers (MOLLUS, WI, Vol. 2).
Milwaukee, WI: Burdick, Armitage & Allen, 1896. pp. 70-80 (6 photocopied pages). E464M5.1991v47.
Dyer, Frederick H. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion. 2003. Cartersville, GA Eastern Ditital Resources.
Vermont. A & IGO. Revised Roster of Vermont Volunteers Who Served in the Army and Navy
of the United States During the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865. Montpelier, VT: Watchman, 1892. pp. 379-408. E533.3V53. (Contains a roster of the regiment).
Waite, Otis F.R. Vermont in the Great Rebellion: Containing Historical and Biographical Sketches.... Claremont, NH: Tracy, Chase, 1869. E533W3. See pp. 77 & 210-15 (3 photocopied pages) for a roster of officers a brief regimental history.
REFERENCES:
Dyer, Frederick H. - A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion
The Union Army by Federal Publishing Company, 1908 - Volume 1
Original members mustered out on August 10, 1864, and recruits were transferred to the 2nd Vermont Battery. The battery was engaged at Plain's Store, Louisiana, May 21, 1863, the Siege of Port Hudson, from May 25 to July 9, 1863, Pleasant Hill, on April 9, 1864, Monett's Ferry on April 23, 1864, and Yellow Bayou, or Bayou de Glaise, on May 18, 1864. The battery mustered out August 9, 1865.
It suffered 3 killed in action or died of wounds, 42 died of disease, and 1 died from an accident, at total of 46 deaths. Dyer lists 3 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 51 Enlisted men by disease. Total 54. Other losses included 36 honorably discharged, 51 transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps or other organizations, and 3 men who deserted. The battery suffered 7 men wounded.
Burnell, George W. "The Development of Our Army." In War Papers (MOLLUS, WI, Vol. 2). Milwaukee, WI: Burdick, Armitage & Allen, 1896. pp. 70-80 (6 photocopied pages). E464M5.1991v47.
Dyer, Frederick H. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion. 2003. Cartersville, GA Eastern Ditital Resources.
Vermont. A & IGO. Revised Roster of Vermont Volunteers Who Served in the Army and Navy of the United States During the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865. Montpelier, VT: Watchman, 1892. pp. 379-408. E533.3V53. (Contains a roster of the regiment).
Waite, Otis F.R. Vermont in the Great Rebellion: Containing Historical and Biographical Sketches.... Claremont, NH: Tracy, Chase, 1869. E533W3. See pp. 77 & 210-15 (3 photocopied pages) for a roster of officers a brief regimental history.
The Union Army by Federal Publishing Company, 1908 - Volume 1