gary
Major
- Joined
- Feb 20, 2005
Three Years a Soldier: The Diary and Newspaper Correspondence of Private George Perkins, Sixth New York Independent Battery, 1861-1864. Edited by Richard N. Griffin. Published by Univ. Of TN Press.
Artillery accounts are not as common as infantry and horse artillery even more so. George Perkins served in the New York Independent Battery. Originally meant to fight alongside the infantry, as part of Washington's garrison, they missed Second Manassas, Sharpsburg and Fredericksburg. With Hooker's appointment, the cavalry corps was created and the Sixth New York Independent Battery was pressed into service as horse artillery. Accompanying the cavalry, they saw action at Kelly's Ford where some 30-40 rebels are captured. They themselves engage a rebel artillery section and acquitted themselves honorably when they fired cannister to repel a Rebel charge. Present at Gettysburg, they were kept as in reserve and did not have to fight. They made up for it during the Bristoe Campaign where Perkins is almost shot. But, a miss is as good as a mile and Perkins lived to see Sheridan replace Pleasonton as the commander of the cavalry corps of the Army of Potomac. Under Sheridan, they fought at Yellow Tavern where Stuart is killed and then fought at Haw's Shop. It was their last action with the Army of the Potomac and turning their horses over to other units that needed them, they receive tired nags to haul their guns back to Washington where the issue of disbandment arose. Luckily, their reputation and the support of the Meade and Sheridan ensured that they will be rebuilt. A good thing too as they defend Washington Jubal Early. Perkins and the Sixth are part of Sheridan's army that sweeps the Shenandoah Valley of the Confederates. They fought at Third Winchester and Cedar Creek. His three year enlistment having expired, Perkins is mustered out and returned home.
The book is illustrated with images of Perkins, his pards, commanding officers and maps. Excerpts from the O.R. constitute the Appendix to supplement what Perkins wrote. I doubt if you will find a finer account of the horse artillery by any other Union soldier.
Artillery accounts are not as common as infantry and horse artillery even more so. George Perkins served in the New York Independent Battery. Originally meant to fight alongside the infantry, as part of Washington's garrison, they missed Second Manassas, Sharpsburg and Fredericksburg. With Hooker's appointment, the cavalry corps was created and the Sixth New York Independent Battery was pressed into service as horse artillery. Accompanying the cavalry, they saw action at Kelly's Ford where some 30-40 rebels are captured. They themselves engage a rebel artillery section and acquitted themselves honorably when they fired cannister to repel a Rebel charge. Present at Gettysburg, they were kept as in reserve and did not have to fight. They made up for it during the Bristoe Campaign where Perkins is almost shot. But, a miss is as good as a mile and Perkins lived to see Sheridan replace Pleasonton as the commander of the cavalry corps of the Army of Potomac. Under Sheridan, they fought at Yellow Tavern where Stuart is killed and then fought at Haw's Shop. It was their last action with the Army of the Potomac and turning their horses over to other units that needed them, they receive tired nags to haul their guns back to Washington where the issue of disbandment arose. Luckily, their reputation and the support of the Meade and Sheridan ensured that they will be rebuilt. A good thing too as they defend Washington Jubal Early. Perkins and the Sixth are part of Sheridan's army that sweeps the Shenandoah Valley of the Confederates. They fought at Third Winchester and Cedar Creek. His three year enlistment having expired, Perkins is mustered out and returned home.
The book is illustrated with images of Perkins, his pards, commanding officers and maps. Excerpts from the O.R. constitute the Appendix to supplement what Perkins wrote. I doubt if you will find a finer account of the horse artillery by any other Union soldier.
Bringing the