First New Jersey Light Artillery, Clark's Battery 'B', is an active Civil War Living History, Re-Enacting, and live shooting organization. It is an established North - South Skirmishing Association (N-SSA) Member team. Reactivated as a non-profit organization in the State of New Jersey in 1958, the battery strives to recreate itself as an authentic Civil War artillery unit. The Battery uses the original history of Battery 'B' of the First New Jersey Artillery, a Civil War unit commissioned in 1861, and originally designated 2nd Independent Battery, New Jersey Light Artillery, to look and act just like an authentic civil war artillery battery.

The Original Battery was attached through its entire service to the Army of the Potomac, where it participated in 26 major engagements and missed only the battle of Antietam.

The Original Battery's finest hour was at Gettysburg on July 2, 1863, where as part of General Sickle's 3rd Corps, it fired 1,342 rounds from it's four Parrott Rifles and two Napoleons in the space of five hours. This feat took place in the defense of the Peach Orchard and is considered the greatest number of rounds fired by any battery in United States service in a single day during the Civil War. A monument now marks this historic spot.

Want to know more about the original Civil War unit we represent ????

Click Here for a history of Battery B.

Click Here for a Complete Regimental History of 1st New Jersey Artillery.

These cannon are the pride and joy of our unit, two 10 Pounder Rifled Parrott Cannons, originals both. The one on the left is the 1863 model, with a 3 inch bore and straight muzzle. The one on the right is an original model 1861, with the distinctive bell mouth swell on the muzzle, as well as a 2.9 inch bore.

We go to a few re-enactments and living histories each year, and we enjoy entertaining and educating the public, so if ya see us camping in a state park, or hear us booming in the distance, come on over and say hello.

Shooting a cannon at an N-SSA event is as real as it gets without actually going to war. Paper silouttes of enemy cannon are the target of the day. Up to 40 authentic full scale civil war cannon will shoot at a National event, each one fighting for the most points.

In 1994, Clark's Battery won the Spring National for the first time since 1980, beating out 18 other rifled cannon with a score of 50-3V out of a possible 50-5V. This spring our unit won the trophy for Most Accurate Original Cannon with a 5th Place Finish and a 50-2V.

Ever shot a black powder rifle? Just because we are Artillery doesn't mean we don't also shoot small arms. Musket competition in the N-SSA is fierce, and although we may not be in the top 25%, we always have fun! Small Arms Competition includes: Musket, Carbine, Pistol, Repeating Rifle, and Smoothbore, and all firearms must be N-SSA approved.

Michael Hanifin, the author of the Battery History, and an original Battery member, wrote in 1912, referring to the Battery, "They were a fine lot of men." Today's Battery B tries to continue that tradition.

Battery B, First New Jersey Light Artillery is a non-profit organization financed by member dues and contributions.