2nd Minnesota Independant Light Artillery

[civilwarbuglertn]

Does anyone know anything about the 2nd Minnesota Independant Light Artillery that fought with AoC?

[johan_steele]

What specific info are you looking for? THe 2nd MN Light Arty (reenactors) is based out of Red Wing MN.

THere is wealth of info on the unit including a good unit history.

[Battalion]

Originally Posted by johan_steele

What specific info are you looking for? THe 2nd MN Light Arty (reenactors) is based out of Red Wing MN.

THere is wealth of info on the unit including a good unit history.

This is B*.......Minnesota had no artillery units.

[unionblue]

Battalion,

Did you notice the (reenactors) after the unit designation of the artillery unit?

And try to exercise a bit more charm when replying to a post, it will help your objections go much further.

Respectfully,
Unionblue

[ole]

.Minnesota had no artillery units.

A most revealing statement. I suspect descendant's of the 1st Minnesota Light Artillery (Munch's) of Shiloh fame would disagree with that. Minnesota had three batteries operating in the Western Theater.
Ole

[ole]

Jason:
If you have or can get access to Volume II of Frank J. Welcher's, The Union Army, 1861 - 1865, The 2nd Minnesota Light has a list of references longer than I can look up at this time. I will provide a digest of those mentions soon. Meanwhile, folks like Shane will have information likely more detailed than Welcher's.
Ole

[johan_steele]

Originally Posted by Battalion

This is B*.......Minnesota had no artillery units.

Battalion plese stop proving to us that you are incapable of either civil discourse or a simple net search.

Claiming that MN had no arty units ia a rather gross error that could have been solved w/ a quick look at Dyer. Four units of Arty were raised by Minnesota during the War, the 1st & 2nd Light Arty saw rather serious combat. As a note the 1st Heavy Arty suffered right around a 10% mortality rate due to disease in less than 6 mos; those invalided out & discharged due to illness were considerably higher around 40% IIRC.

THe 1st MN Light Arty was at such places as Shiloh, Corinth, Vicksburg, the Atlanta campaign & subsequent March to the Sea & through the Carolinas.

THe 2nd MN Light Arty fought at the battles of Perryville, Stones River, Chickamauga, Tunnel Hill & Missionary Ridge and was a undeniable part of the AoC from its inception..

3rd MN Light Arty was raised to fight the Lakota and were in garrison on the western frontier. While some may refuse to call the Sioux Uprising/Dakota War a war... it is only so if they have done no reading on the subject.

In short there was most certainly Minnesota Arty units, several in fact... and any who suggest otherwise or might choose to imply that they failed to give good service merely need to look at the honors bestowed upon their flags and perhaps reconsider their opinion. A simple & quick Yahoo search of "Minnesota Artillery Civil War" registered 155,000 links... enough to silence even the most obnoxious protest against their existance.

The 2nd MN Lt Arty (re-enactors) have a superb reputation for the effort they have put into living history. Minnesota also has the New Ulm Battery; IIRC the only Battery in the US that is partially funded by a city & state and that maintains the same guns they utilized during the Civil War.

1st Regiment Heavy Artillery

Organized at St. Paul and Rochester, Minn., September, 1864, to February, 1865. Companies ordered to Chattanooga, Tenn., as fast as organized and garrison duty there until September, 1865. Mustered out September 27, 1865.

Regiment lost during service by disease 87.

1st Independent Battery Light Artillery

Organized at Fort Snelling, Minn., November 21, 1861. Ordered to St. Louis, Mo., and duty there until February, 1862. Moved to Cairo, Ill., thence to Pittsburg Landing, Tenn. Attached to Buckland's Brigade, Sherman's 5th Division, Army of the Tennessee, to April, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 6th Division, Army of the Tennessee, to July, 1862. Artillery, 6th Division, District of Corinth, Miss., to November, 1862. 6th Division, Left Wing 13th Army Corps (Old), Dept. of the Tennessee, to December, 1862. Artillery, 6th Division, 16th Army Corps, to January, 1863. Artillery, 6th Division, 17th Army Corps, to September, 1863. Artillery, 1st Division, 17th Army Corps, to April, 1864. Artillery, 4th Division, 17th Army Corps, to October, 1864. Artillery Brigade, 17th Army Corps, to July, 1865.

SERVICE.--Expedition to Eastport, Miss., and Chickasaw, Ala., April 1, 1862. Battle of Shiloh, Tenn., April 6-7. Advance on and siege of Corinth, Miss., April 29-May 30. Duty at Corinth until October. Battle of Corinth October 3-4. Pursuit to Ripley October 5-12. Grant's Central Mississippi Campaign November, 1862, to January, 1863. At Moscow and Memphis, Tenn., to February 6, 1863. Moved to Lake Providence, La., February 6-10, and duty there until April 22. Movement on Bruinsburg and turning Grand Gulf April 25-30. Siege of Vicksburg May 18-July 4. Assaults on Vicksburg May 19 and 22. Surrender of Vicksburg July 4. Duty at Vicksburg until April, 1864. Veterans on furlough February 20 to April 17, 1864. Moved to Cairo, Ill., April 4-17. Moved to Clifton, Tenn., to Big Shanty, Ga., via Huntsville and Decatur, Ala., and Kingston and Rome, Ga., April 28-June 9. Atlanta (Ga.) Campaign June 9-September 8. Operations about Marietta and against Kenesaw Mountain June 10-July 2. Assault on Kenesaw June 27. Nickajack Creek July 2-5. Howell's Ferry July 5. Chattahoochie River July 6-17. Leggett's or Bald Hill July 20-21. Battle of Atlanta July 22. Siege of Atlanta July 22-August 25. Ezra Chapel, Hood's second sortie, July 28. Flank movement on Jonesboro August 25-30. Battle of Jonesboro August 31-September 1. Lovejoy Station September 2-6. Operations in North Georgia and North Alabama against Hood September 29-November 3. March to the sea November 15-December 10. Ball's Ferry and Georgia Central Railroad Bridge, Oconee River, November 23-25. Siege of Savannah December 10-21. Campaign of the Carolinas January to April, 1865. Salkehatchie Swamps, S.C., February 2-5. South Edisto River February 9. Orangeburg February 11-12. About Columbia February 15-17. Cheraw March 3. Battle of Bentonville, N. C., March 20-21. Occupation of Goldsboro March 24. Advance on Raleigh April 10-14. Bennett's House April 26. Surrender of Johnston and his army. March to Washington, D.C., via Richmond, Va., April 29-May 30. Grand Review May 24. Moved to St. Paul, Minn., June 12, Mustered out July 1, 1865.

Battery lost during service 1 Officer and 7 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 1 Officer and 29 Enlisted men by disease. Total 38.

2nd Independent Battery Light Artillery

Organized at Fort Snelling, Minn., March 21, 1862. Moved to St. Louis, Mo., April 21-25, 1862. Duty at Benton Barracks until May 18. Moved to Pittsburg Landing, Tenn., May 21-25. Attached to 2nd Brigade, 4th Division, Army of Mississippi, to September, 1862. 31st Brigade, 9th Division, Army Ohio, to October, 1862. 31st Brigade, 9th Division, 3rd Corps, Army Ohio, to November, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, Right Wing 14th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to January, 1863. Artillery, 1st Division, 20th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to October, 1863. Artillery, 2nd Division, 14th Army Corps, to April, 1864. Unattached, Dept. of the Cumberland, to October, 1864. Garrison Artillery, Post of Chattanooga, Tenn., Dept. of the Cumberland, to April, 1865. 2nd Brigade, 4th Division, District of East Tennessee, to August, 1865.

SERVICE.--Siege of Corinth, Miss., May 27-30, 1862. Pursuit to Booneville May 30-June 3. March to Jacinto and Ripley June 29-July 4. March through Alabama to Nashville, Tenn., August 14-September 8, thence to Louisville, Ky., in pursuit of Bragg September 11-26. Pursuit of Bragg into Kentucky October 1-16. Battle of Perryville October 8. Perryville October 9. Stanford October 14. March to Nashville, Tenn., October 16-November 7. Duty at Nashville until December 26. Advance on Murfreesboro December 26-30. Nolensville, Knob Gap, December 26. Battle of Stone's River December 30-31, 1862, and January 1-3, 1863. At Murfreesboro until June. Reconnaissance from Murfreesboro March 6-7. Methodist Church, Shelbyville Pike, March 6. Reconnaissance from Salem to Versailles February 9-14. Operations on Edgeville Pike June 4. Middle Tennessee or Tullahoma Campaign June 23-July 7. Liberty Gap June 24-27. Occupation of Tullahoma July 1. Winchester July 3. Occupation of Middle Tennessee until August 16. Passage of the Cumberland Mountains and Tennessee River and Chickamauga (Ga.) Campaign August 16-September 22. Battle of Chickamauga September 19-20. Siege of Chattanooga, Tenn., September 24-November 23. Chattanooga-Ringgold Campaign November 23-27. Tunnel Hill November 23-24. Mission Ridge November 25. Pursuit to Ringgold November 26-27. Chickamauga Creek November 26. At Rossville, Ga., until March 21, 1864. Demonstration on Dalton, Ga., February 22-27, 1864. Tunnel Hill, Buzzard's Roost Gap and Rocky Faced Ridge February 23-25. Battery Veteranized March 21. Veterans on furlough April 11 to June 5. Non-Veterans attached to Battery "I," 2nd Illinois Light Artillery. Battery mounted at Nashville, Tenn., and escort cattle and horses to army in the field until July 14, 1864. Moved to Chattanooga, Tenn., July 14-18. Mounted and engaged in scouting until October. Duty as Infantry at Fort Irwin, Defenses of Chattanooga, until March 30, 1865. Moved to Philadelphia, Tenn., and garrison duty there until July. Ordered to St. Paul, Minn., and mustered out August 16, 1865.

Battery lost during service 1 Officer and 5 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 19 Enlisted men by disease. Total 25.

3rd Independent Battery Light Artillery

Organized at Fort Snelling, Minn., from the enlisted men of the 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th Regiments, Minnesota Infantry, February 2 to May 1, 1863. Sibley's Expedition against hostile Indians in Dakota June 16-September 12, 1863. Actions at Big Hills, D. T., July 24. Dead Buffalo Lake July 26. Stony Lake July 28. Missouri River July 29-30. 4th Section moved as escort to Gen. Ramsey, U.S. Commissioner, from Sauk Centre to Fort Abercrombie to treat with Chippewa Indians at Red Lake River Crossing, then stationed at Fort Ripley until May, 1864. 2nd Section at Pembina October, 1863, to May, 1864. 3rd Section at Fort Ridgly until May, 1864. 1st Section at Fort Snelling until May, 1864. Sully's Expedition against hostile Indians west of the Missouri River June 5 to October 15, 1864. Battle of Tah Kah a Kuty or Killdeer Mountain July 28. Two Hills, Bad Lands, Little Missouri River August 8. 1st Section stationed at Fort Ripley, 3rd Section at Fort Sisseton, 2nd and 4th Sections at Fort Ridgly until May, 1865. Expedition against hostile Indians in Dakota June to October, 1865 (1st, 2nd and 4th Sections). 1st Section at Fort Abercrombie, rest of Battery at Fort Wadsworth until February, 1866. Mustered out February 27, 1866. Lost by disease during service 4.



Source - "A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion" by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3)

[johan_steele]

Jason;

New Ulm Battery might have some info for you.

http://www.newulmtel.net/~municipal/battery/

THis link will take you to a diary of a man that served w/ both the 1st & 2nd MN Light Arty as well as several other excellent diairies. Though I don't recall the name.

http://homepages.dsu.edu/jankej/civilwar/diaries.htm

Another link that might help out somewhat

http://home.mchsi.com/~rogerlc/civil2.htm

John Cain, Jim Rososco, Tom & Vicky Wendell are all individuals who are quite knowledgeable on the 2nd MN Lt Arty and they will all be able to provide you w/ info.

I hope that can get you started on your quest for info on the 2nd MN Lt Arty.

Good Luck

[johan_steele]

Originally Posted by ole

A most revealing statement. I suspect descendant's of the 1st Minnesota Light Artillery (Munch's) of Shiloh fame would disagree with that. Minnesota had three batteries operating in the Western Theater.
Ole

Ole you might appreciate this account of the battle of Shiloh. The original is at the Goodhue County Historical Society and this is my transcription.

William Pfaender
Lt, 1st Battery MN Lt Arty

Following letter addresses to Alexander Ramsey after the battle of Shiloh

Dear Sir: The people of our state are probably anxious to learn the fate of the Minnesota volunteers who fought at the late battle of Pittsburg, Tenn; and as the First Minnesota Battery was the only representative of our state in the terrible fight, I deem it my duty to send you a short account of the proceedings on the memorable 6th of April.

At our arrival here on the 18th of March, we were attached to the Fourth Brigade of General Sherman’s Division but a very few days before the battle alluded to all the artillery and calvary forces were attached as independent commands to the six divisions of General Grants army. Under this new arrangement we were attached to General Prentiss division, and on Saturday the 5th moved to our new camp, immediately on the right of General Prentiss headquarters. The organization of our division was not complete yet. Several new Wisconsin regiments had just arrived from Milwaukee and took their camps a little to the and in front of our camp. Still our line was the advance of the left wing, and although it was generally believed after the skirmish on Friday, the 4th of April, that considerable rebel forces were close to our line. No precautionary measures seem to have been taken, for outpost were only about a mile beyond our camp.

Sunday morning came, bright as a Minnesota summer morning; the boys were all busy to get the camp in as good order as possible when, at about half past seven o’clock, we suddenly received orders to get ready immediately and to move to the front of our camp. Up to this time we had no idea of the terrible work before us, and all thought that probably a reconnoitering expedition was intended. In a very short time we were ready and started out, following the Fifth Ohio Battery, whose camp joins ours. Now, we heard a few shots and hurried on as fast as possibly; but scarcely had we reached the camp in front when a lively musket fire was opened on our infantry. Immediately after leaving the first row of tents, we formed battery under most galling fire from the rebel skirmishes, and almost simultaneously with the Fifth Ohio Battery, opened dire artillery fire of the day.

At our arrival at the scene of action, our infantry were already retreating in every direction, and very soon, instead of being covered by our infantry, we were left behind alone covering the retreat of our running protectors. The Fifth Ohio Battery had lost some horses and now fell back, leaving several pieces in the hands of the enemy. One of our men and two horses were killed before we commenced firing; another and third one, all belonging to my section, were wounded in quick succession. Now, Captain Munch’s horse was shot in the head and immediately afterwards the captain himself was severally wounded in the leg. My horse was wounded in both fore legs. Several others horses had received severe injuries and our pistion became extremely critical. The enemy had already outflanked us, and only a retreat could save the battery from being taken; consequently, we left our position and under a perfect storm of bullets, reformed close to our camp, where in connection with the remaining forces of the Fifth Ohio Battery, we again opened with spherical case and canister, and continued firing until all of our infantry had again given way and enemy was pressing in upon us on all sides.

Our division now fell behind the line coming to support, under General Hurlbut, and after a short rest General Prentiss formed the remainder of the division again on the left centre of our line. Two of our rifled pieces had by this time been rendered unserviceable and were ordered to the rear. The remaining four pieces had by this time been rendered unserviceable and were ordered to the rear. The remaining four pieces took their position under the direct orders of General Prentiss. The terrible work was now progressing rapidly. The rebel made the fierce attacks successively on the centre, the right and left wings ever trying to find the weakest point and always shifting their forces from one another. At the point where I was stationed, on the right of one Cavender’s Missouri Batteries the enemy made several ineffective efforts to break our centre with his artillery, which we silenced three times, and kept his infantry in respectful distance.

Lieutenant Peebles maintained his position on our left nobly, and at a charge of the Louisiana regiment, completely mowed them down with canister. The enemy however also took good aim; two of our Cannoneers were here killed and Lieutenant Peebles severely wounded in the jaw, Sergeants Clayton and Connor severally wounded and a number of horses killed.

The attack of the enemy now became desperate along the whole line; our left wing gave way the rebel were also gaining on our right and while we kept them continually in check in the centre, the bullets already commenced to come in at our rear, showing that our left wing was thrown entirely and that we would shortly be cut off. At this moment Brigadier General Wallace ordered us to retreat and we commenced to move off in good order. Passing down through a narrow valley we say rebels advancing in large numbers upon our right wing, and coming up a hill which commanded their line, we commenced throwing canister at them, but were soon obliged to fall back and amid a terrible crossfire which treatment to kill every man and horse, which we all here miraculously escaped unhurt.

Arriving at the bluffs of the Pittsburg Landing, I tried to get the whole battery in the best possible condition again and succeeded, by dismounting and changing pieces to get five pieces in good shape at least able to open fire again. Our batteries now took their posts in order to repulse the expected attack of the last position; we located our five pieces, together with Marllgrafs Eighth Ohio Battery on a hill commanding a large ravine and subjecting the enemy to a cross fire of eleven pieces in case of an attack. General Buell’s forces had by this time arrived on the opposite side of the river and commenced crossing over. This caused great rejoicing and inspired the men for the coming struggle. The rebels knew that this last attack would decide the day, and at about six o’clock in the evening opened fire on us again. I had just come over to the centre to ascertain the position of our forces, in order to render our fire more effectively. When the enemies shells commenced flying over our heads in the direction of the river and a few moments afterwards the pieces of the First Minnesota Battery joined in such a cannonade as has never been witnessed on this continent. It was really majestic, and no army would have been able to take that position. General Beauregard had found out by this time that he could not water his horse in the Tennessee river that evening and fell back to our camps just after dark. A heavy rain storm had drenched us thoroughly during Sunday night yet the Minnesota Battery was ready for another trial and being without an immediate commander (as General Prentiss had been taken prisoner) I reported to General Grant who learning our position ordered me to keep the same until further orders and as Monday’s fight was mostly done by General Buells forces who had been crossing all night and steadily poured in, we remained there until we were removed to our old camp again.

Our boys have behaved nobly and I am satisfied they have shown themselves worthy of their state and people. I add, Minnesota was the first to volunteer its men for service. In most critical moments of that bloody day they exhibited an astonishing coolness and bravery. Even with their numbers diminished they served their guns like old soldier, and while many batteries lost part or all of their pieces, we have satisfaction that we have brought out every piece that was brought into the conflict.

As the attack was so unexpected our baggage teams had been lost almost everything in our possession for the whole camp was thoroughly plundered on Sunday night. The newspapers will have so much to say about the battle of Pittsburg that it is unnecessarily for me to add much more. I will only state in regard to the killed and wounded that from what I have seen, the number of killed and wounded on both sides cannot be less than 10000.

Yours most respectfully W. Pfaender
First Lietenant, Commanding First Minnesota Battery

[Battalion]

Unreliable anecdotes.........

Reenactors portraying fictitious units..........

Minnesota?.....Artillery?.......bah humbug.......