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Preferred Citation

[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], Gary Weiner, Collector, Civil War Order Book of 1st West Virginia Light Artillery, Battery E, A&M 3728, West Virginia and Regional History Center, West Virginia University Libraries, Morgantown, West Virginia.

Biographical / Historical

Battery E was organized by Alexander C. Moore at Buckannan, West Virginia, in August 1862. It was recruited from the men of Upshur, Harrison, and Randolph Counties. Moore was commissioned Captain of the Battery on 23 September 1862.

The unit was first called to action against the advance of Confederate General Jenkins. They were then ordered to Clarksburg, and in turn to New Creek and Romney. After serving with General Kelley in the summer of 1863 against Lee and his retreat from Gettysburg, they returned to the South Branch Valley where they remained into 1864. They then participated in the Shenandoah Valley campaigns of 1864, including engagements at Snicker's Ferry (July 17-18), Kernstown (July 24), Berryville (September 3-4), and Cedar Creek (October 19).

In the fall of 1864 they were ordered to Maryland Heights near Harpers Ferry. In January 1865 they were assigned to the Artillery Camp at Camp Berry near Washington, D.C., where they remained until the close of the war.

The battery was mustered out of service on 28 June 1865.

Source: Loyal West Virginia 1861-1865, by Theodore Lang.

Scope and Contents

Order book of Battery E, 1st West Virginia Light Artillery, documenting orders received by the commander of the unit, Captain Alexander C. Moore, in the period 10/1863 to 1/1865.

Orders are attached to the pages of a re-purposed blank check book of the 12th Virginia Volunteer Infantry (on evidence of print on remaining pages).

There are 49 leaves of material regarding: deportment of soldiers in town, disarming of citizens, leaves of absence and furloughs, logistics, medical duty assignments ("small pox"), missing in action report methodology, organization of units, protection of private property, desertion reports, treatment of private citizens, and troop movements, among other topics. This unit served in the Shenandoah Valley campaigns of 1864, among other assignments.

Places identified in Maryland include: Baltimore, Cumberland, Maryland Heights (Fort Duncan), and Monocacy. Places identified in West Virgina include: New Creek, Romney, Springfield, and Wheeling.

Commanders issuing orders include: Major General Franz Sigel, Major General Philip Sheridan (2 items), Colonel Jacob M. Campbell, Colonel James A. Mulligan, and Major G.F. Merriam (commanding at Fort Duncan, Maryland Heights).

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Civil War - Shenandoah Valley Campaign, 1864 (August-November)
• Civil War - West Virginia 1st Light Artillery, Battery E.
• Moore, Alexander C.
• Sheridan, Philip Henry, 1831-1888