Battery HistoryThe Cherokee Artillery unit was organized on Aug. 10, 1860 and, in April of 1861, were ordered to join Gen. Phillip's Brigade of Georgia Troops at Big Shanty. On June 13, 1861 they were mustered into state service for the war as Co. A of Stovall's Battalion of Artillery (later known as the 3rd Georgia Battalion).
GeorgiaOn Aug. 10, 1861 they departed for Virginia with three 6 pounder guns furnished by the State of Georgia and one iron rifled gun from the Noble Foundry in Rome, Georgia. During October and November of 1861, The Cherokee Artillery was stationed at Goldsboro, North Carolina, and from November of 1861 until September of 1862, they served in eastern Tennessee guarding against Union and Pro-Union forces. In September and October of 1862 they were involved in the Kentucky Campaign, though not in action. Then, sometime during October or November, of 1862 they returned to eastern Tennessee.
Van Den CorputIn January of 1863, the unit was ordered to Vicksburg, Mississippi where they served as an artillery battery at Warrenton until May of 1863. On May 16, 1863 they fought in the Battle of Champion Hill, Mississippi where all of their guns were captured except the iron Noble gun. On July 4, 1863 the majority of the company surrendered with the Army of Vicksburg. Sgt. Johnson and a section, plus the iron rifled gun, were with Ector's Brigade east of Jackson, Mississippi. In September of 1863, the company was paroled, reorganized, and re-equipped.
In November of 1863 they fought in the Battles of Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge. At the Battle of Chattanooga on November 24th, the Cherokee had four 12 pounder Napoleons and was part of Carnes’ Artillery Battalion, Stevenson’s Division of Breckenridge’s Corps. At about 10am, after a dense fog lifted, the Cherokee opened fire throwing 33 shells into Hooker’s assaulting columns on the western slope.
On May 15, 1864 at Resaca, Georgia, the company advanced 80 yards in front of fortifications to a natural depression. Upon unlimbering their cannons, they were immediately overrun by two Union brigades. The Cherokee Artillery fought to save their guns but they were overwhelmed. In the Atlanta Campaign they had no cannons, so their troops were parceled out to reinforce depleted companies. In December of 1864 they served in the Nashville Campaign. On April 12, 1865 the company was captured in the Battle of Salisbury, North Carolina along with the other 1,700 defenders by Stoneman's 16,000 Union troops. They were sent north to a prisoner-of-war camp at Camp Chase, Ohio where they were eventually paroled and sent home by October of 1865.
Rank OrganizationOfficers:Colonel
Lt. Colonel
Major
Captain
First Lieutenant
Second Lt.
NCOs:Sergeant Major
First Sergeant
Sergeant
Corporal First Class
Corporal
Lance Corporal
Enlisted:Specialist
Private First Class
Private
Recruit
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Source of information: http://www.stonetown.cz/cherokee.php?id=1&lang=english
