Semple’s Battery (Alabama Artillery)
Semple’s Battery (Alabama Artillery)
Semple’s battery was organized in Montgomery, March, 1862. It was ordered first to Mobile and afterward to the army of Tennessee, and was brigaded under Lowrey, Deshler, Woods, and in Cleburne’s and Cheatham’s corps. It was for a time in Hotchkiss’ battalion. It marched into Kentucky and fought at Perryville, Murfreesboro, Dug Gap, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Ringgold, and lost heavily at Resaca, Atlanta and Jonesboro. It opened the battle of Franklin, and lost slightly there and at Nashville. It was then ordered to North Carolina, and surrendered at Augusta, Ga.
Capt. Henry C. Semple was early promoted, and was succeeded in command by Lieut. R. W. Goldthwaite, a very skillful officer. Capt. J. Pollard was killed at Murfreesboro; Lieut. E.G. McClellan was killed, and Lieut. Chas. Dowd was wounded, at Resaca.
Extracts From Official War Records
Vol. VI–(868) One hundred and nineteen present, army of Mobile, March 2, 1862.
Vol. XVI, Part I–(1120) Commended in General Hardee’s report of Perryville, October 8, 1862.
Vol. XVI, Part 2–(1003) At Shelbyville, April 10, 1862.
Vol. XVII, Part 2–(659) Ordered from Mobile to Chattanooga, July 26, 1862.
Vol. XX, Part 2–(499) Mentioned in general orders, No. 7, Tullahoma, January 17, 1863.
Vol. XXIII, Part I–(587) Mentioned by General Cleburne, at Liberty Gap, June 25, 1863. (598) Mentioned by J. H. Kelly as under command of Lieut. R. W. Gold-thwaite at Liberty Gap.
Vol. XXIII, Part 2–(942) In Col. M.P. Lowrey’s brigade (Wood’s), July 31, 1863. (959) In Cleburne’s division, August 10th.
No. 51–(13) In Deshler’s brigade, Chickamauga, September, 1863. (139, 140-143) Mentioned by Gen. D. H. Hill. Speaking of action of September 11th: “Semple’s magnificent battery was ordered up, and in a short time silenced the Yankee fire, with heavy loss, and the Yankee rout was complete.” (145) Commended by General Cleburne. (154-156-158) Mentioned in report of Gen. P. R. Cleburne, who says Captain Semple rendered invaluable service and exhibited the highest gallantry, running his pieces within 60 yards of the enemy, and was ably sustained by Lieutenant Goldthwaite, of Semple’s battery. He also commends Semple’s “skill and judgment as acting chief of artillery.” (162) Gen. S. A. M. Wood says in his report: “Semple’s battery (attached to my brigade) was not under my control during this action. I, however, saw it placed in position by the chief of artillery, and its fire was of the greatest service in routing the enemy and silencing his batteries.” Ten wounded. (167-196) Mentioned in reports of Chickamauga, by Col. Sam Adams, Col. E. B. Breedlove, Col. M. P. Lowrey, Lieut. R. W. Goldthwaite, Gen. L. E. Polk, Col. R. Q. Mills, Capt. James P. Douglas. (536) Mentioned on roll of honor, battle of Chickamauga.
No. 55–(661) Commanded by Lieutenant Goldthwaite, November 20, 1863. (746-755) Mentioned in report of Gen. P. R. Cleburne. (757-760) Report of Lieutenant Goldthwaite. (763-765) Mentioned in Col. D.C. Govan’s and Col. John E. Murray’s reports of battle of Ringgold, November 27th.
No. 56–(807, 885) In Cleburne’s division, Hardee’s army, December, 1863. (827) One hundred and twenty-one present.
No. 57–(483) Commended in report of T. R. Hotchkiss, near Dalton, February 25, 1864.
No. 58–(588) In Cleburne’s division, January 20, 1864. (820) In Hardee’s corps, army of Tennessee, February 29th.
No. 59–(687) Present 109, March 29, 1864. (693-695) Two killed at Perryville, 4 at Murfreesboro, 2 at Chickamauga, 1 at Ringgold Gap. (731) Eighty-two present, April 1st. (871) In Hotchkiss’ battalion, army of Tennessee, April 30th.
No. 42–(240) Mentioned by General Clanton, July 30, 1863.
No. 74–(643, et seq.) In Hardee’s corps, Johnston’s army, Atlanta campaign. (744, 745) Mentioned by General Granbury, August 31st and September 1st. (967) Mentioned in report of Capt. Thomas Key, 2 men wounded, July 22d.
No. 93–(669) In Cheatham’s corps, Hood’s army, December 10, 1864.