Harrington Light Artillery

Fayetteville Observer, February, 1863

From the North Carolina Soldiers
For the Observer
South Quay, Southampton Co., Va., Feb. 6

Messrs. Editors:

Permit me, for the information of your readers in Richmond County, a summary of the operations of the Harrington Light Artillery, Captain Louis H. Webb, since its entrance upon active operations.

The company reported to Richmond, Virginia last May and while awaiting its equipment for the field, was kept on active duty in and around that city until late in September.

During the Seven Pines and Seven Days fights below that city, it was on duty in one of the heavy batteries of the “inner lines”.  After the battle of Gaines Mills, and while the fight was still raging lower down the Chickahominy, a call was made upon our company for thirty men for temporary duty with the Crenshaw Light Artillery of Richmond—then ordered to the front—when, although only thirty were wanted, the whole company fit for duty declared their readiness to go; and it became necessary, therefore, to choose from those volunteering, the number desired; and they were accordingly chosen and accompanied by our Captain and Lt. Horne (who, although no officers were called for or needed, were permitted to go with us).  We moved down the river with the pursuing forces of General Lee and continued in the pursuit, without, however, getting “under fire” until McClellan had reached the protecting shelter of his gunboats, when we were again ordered to Richmond, where we remained until we were fully equipped for Light Artillery service, about the last of September, with two six pounder smooth bores and two twelve pounder Howitzers, the latter two being of the splendid battery of field guns surrendered to the State of North Carolina from the Fayetteville arsenal.

On the night of the 1st November last we were ordered suddenly from Richmond to Petersburg, and subsequently to the line of the Blackwater.

On the 23rd December our third piece, under the command of Sgt. J.T. Gibson, engaged a squadron of enemy cavalry at Joyner’s Bridge, when after a few well directed and rapid shots, they hastily left, carrying with them their killed and wounded, leaving on the field on horse fully equipped and numerous articles of wearing apparel, accoutrements, etc, which fell into our hands.

The first section of the battery, under Captain Webb’s immediate command, was ordered about the 16th December to the point from which this is written to prevent the approach of the enemy’s gunboats a second time on the Blackwater. The duties of the position were onerous and hard in the extreme - the officers, men and horses being almost worn out by two weeks’ constant watching for and expectation of the approach of the boats, which, however, after keeping us thus constantly on the qui vive, by shelling the woods and moving about the waters of the Chowan and Blackwater junction, retired and have since given us no trouble.

We have made frequent marches across the river in the direction of Suffolk with the forces under General Pryor, causing not a little consternation among the Yankees at that place, and last week one section of the battery, under the command of Lt. H.R. Horne (of your town) participated in the engagement at Kelly’s in Nansemond County, some ten miles from Suffolk, between our forces, under Brig. Gen. Roger A. Pryor and the enemy commanded by the notorious Jno. Corcoran of New York.

I am permitted to copy Lt. Horne’s report, which will sufficiently and plainly indicate the part which we took in that battle:

South Quay, Feb. 1, 1863

Captain H.L. Webb, commanding the Harrington Light Artillery:  I have the honor to report that in obedience to your orders I moved on Sunday, 25th ult., with the 2nd and 4th detachments of your company and two twelve pounder Howitzers of your battery, with the forces of Brig. Gen’l. R.A. Pryor; crossing the Blackwater River at “Old South Quay” to Somerton and thence by short marches to Kelly’s place on the road leading from Carrsville to Suffolk, where we camped on the night of Thurs., 29th ult., the section of my command being parked about a quarter of a mile in the rear of our line of battle, or front of our forces.

About 3:30 am on Friday, the enemy opening a heavy fire of artillery upon our advance, my section was immediately made ready for action but held in reserve until about 7:00 am when our advance having retired to the position occupied by my section and one section of Capt. Martin’s battery, we opened upon the enemy at about 600 yards distant, and continued the fire until about 11:00 am at which time the enemy’s fire ceased.

We moved thence about 1:00 pm with the column to Beaverdam Church, on the road from Carrsville to Franklin, where we camped and remained until 12:00 the next day whence we moved to and re-crossed the Blackwater River, reaching camp at South Quay about 5:00 pm on the 31st ult.

The men under my command acted with remarkable coolness and courage, firing with great rapidity and accuracy, and where all did well, to particularize would be invidious.

I am happy to report that though in an exposed position and under fire for several hours, no loss was sustained and only three horses slightly wounded.

I am, Captain, yours very respectfully,

Henry R. Horne
Lt., Commanding 2nd Section
Harrington Light Artillery

At this point was the first general engagement which many of our men had participated in, their coolness and excellent conduct under a galling fire speaks volumes for their bravery, their discipline and the excellence of their instruction.

During the above mentioned engagement, Captain Webb, with the first section and a small force of infantry, was on duty guarding a crossing of the river below this place, he having been ordered to that position by General Pryor, when the forces crossed over.

We are as pleasantly situated as we could desire, having comfortable quarters erected by  ourselves, and at our own cost, and though we would greatly prefer to be facing the enemy on our own soil, yet in holding this point, only about four miles from N.C. state line, we feel that we are defending the good old state.

The health of our company is excellent, and their spirits buoyant—if we can judge from the loud laughter now ringing through the camp, from a party of snow-balling one of the lieutenants, who has sought shelter from the furious fire of “bums” (as Sol calls them) behind a brush pile.