Eufaula Light Artillery

Eufaula Light Artillery

Eufaula Light Artillery was organized in February, 1862, at Eufaula, Alabama, and contained men from Barbour and adjoining counties. After fighting at Tazewell and Murfreesboro it was assigned to T.J. Stanford’s and J.W. Eldridge’s Battalion of Artillery, Army of Tennessee. The unit served with the army from Chickamauga to Atlanta, then moved with Hood to Tennessee. During January, 1865, it was sent to Mobile and attached to the Department of Alabama, Mississippi, and East Louisiana. This company reported 3 wounded and 2 missing at Murfreesboro and 6 killed at Chickamauga. It totalled 102 effectives in April, 1864, and surrendered with about 80 in May, 1865. Captains John W. Clark and McDonald Oliver were in command. [1]

Sources

  1. National Park Service Soldiers and Sailors Database

The Eufaula battery. was organized in February, 1862, under the command of Capt. John W. Clark; commenced a brilliant career in Stevenson’s brigade, and served, successively, in Rains’, Vance’s and Bate’s brigades. It fought with the army of Tennessee at Tazewell, Murfreesboro, Hoover’s Gap, Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge. It opened and closed the battle of Chickamauga, where it lost six men. It also lost heavily at Missionary Ridge. It was commended for gallant service in the Atlanta campaign, and in 1865 it was transferred to Mobile, where it assisted in the defense of the city.
        Capt. McDonald Oliver, who commanded the battery most gallantly during the greater part of the war, was killed near Atlanta. Lieutenant McKenzie and Lieut. W. W. Woods were also distinguished by their able command of this battery at different times.

Extracts From Official War Records

    Vol. X, Part 2–(409) Mentioned by E. Kirby Smith, April 10, 1862. (573) In General Stevenson’s brigade, with General Smith, May 31st.
    Vol. XVI, Part 2–(698) At Knoxville, June 22, 1862. (715) Under Lieutenant McTyer, Stevenson’s brigade, Gen. Kirby Smith, June 30th. (984) In Rains’ brigade, Gen. Kirby Smith, October 31st.
   Vol. XX, Part 2–(413) Under Capt. W. A. McTyer, in General Rains’ brigade, east Tennessee, November 20, 1862. (492) January 10, 1863, present for duty, 138 men.
     Vol. XXIII, Part I–(603-606, 610) Mentioned in Gen. Bushrod R. Johnson’s report, Hoover’s Gap, and movements to vicinity of Chattanooga. (614) Mentioned and commended by Gen. Wm. B. Bate in his report of the battle of Hoover’s Gap, June 24, 1863; two men killed.
     Vol. XXIII, Part 2–(623-654) Return, 131 to 136 men, Shelbyville, Tenn., January to February, 1863. (655) In Vance’s brigade, McCown’s division, February 28th. (735) Bate’s brigade, April 1st. (943) Bate’s brigade, July.
         No. 50–(231) In Bate’s brigade, Stewart’s division, Chattanooga, October 7, 1863.
      No. 51–(16) Under Capt. McDonald Oliver, Stewart’s division, at Chickamauga. (361-366) Mentioned in report of Gen. A. P. Stewart. (383-386) Mentioned in report of Gen. William Bate, who says: “I claim for this battery the honor of opening on Friday evening, and closing on Sunday evening, the battle of Chickamauga.” (388) Two men killed, September 18th; 4 killed, September 19th, at Chickamauga. (394) Mentioned in report of Lieut. Joel Towers. (397) Mentioned in report of Lieut.-Col. R. Dudley Frayser. (399, 400) Report of Lieut. W. J. McKenzie. (535) Private John C. Carroll on roll of honor, battle of Chickamauga.
         No. 55–(661) In Stewart’s division, November 30, 1863.
        No. 56–(620) Commanded by Lieut. Wm. J. McKenzie, Breckinridge’s corps, army of Tennessee, October 31, 1863. (808-827, 887) Commanded by McDonald Oliver, Stewart’s division, December.
         No. 58–(590, 821) In Stewart’s division, Hood’s corps, army of Tennessee, February 29, 1864.
        No. 59–(687) Under Oliver, 117 present, March 29, 1864. (700-702) Active service since May, 1862, in battles of Tazewell, Murfreesboro, Hoover’s Gap, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge; 5 killed· (731) Effective, 102 present for duty, April 1, 1864.
         No. 74–(643, et seq.) In Hood’s corps, during Atlanta campaign. (667) Under Lieutenant McKenzie, in Lee’s corps, Hood’s army, July 31st. (818) Conduct near New Hope church, May 25th, commended by Gen. A. P. Stewart.
         No. 103–(1047) Under Lieut. Wm. W. Woods, Maury’s army, Mobile, March 10, 1865.