Mississippi: Quitman Light Artillery Battery
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Unit History
Organized in 1861.
It was armed with three guns from May to July 1863.
Apparently disbanded in 1863.
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Captain -- J. Frank Kerr
First Lieutenant -- R. H. Purdom
Second Lieutenant -- M. W. Boyd
Third Lieutenant -- James T. Lester
This company, of Jackson and Hinds County, Mississippi, is included in the Adjutant-General's report of September, 1860, Captain Kerr commanding. Previous to January 10, 1861, when the Louisiana State Government took possession of the United States forts on the river in that State, Governor Pettuss was requested by the Governor of Louisiana to protect the latter from reinforcement of the forts from up the river.
Governor Pettus sent Captain Kerr, with sixteen of the Jackson Artillery, and ordered Capt. H. H. Miller to call out the volunteer companies of Vicksburg, and take such position as would enable him to prevent any hostile expedition from the Northern States descending the river. Kerr arrived at Vicksburg January 10, and fortified at Fort Hill, supported by three Vicksburg infantry companies.
The
next day, a steamer from Cincinnati was fired upon, but the boat made its landing as usual and nothing warlike was discovered in the cargo.
The company officers above named were commissioned on February 9, 1861. On April 8, Secretary Walker asked Governor Pettus to order the artillery company at Jackson, of which R. H. Purdon is Lieutenant, to Pensacola. On April 15, Maj. Gen. Charles Clark reported that he had received report of Kerr's company at Hall's Ferry, and ordered them to march immediately and report to General Bragg. At Pensacola, on April 20, it was announced that the company had been received in Confederate service. June 30 the battery was attached to the 10th Regiment.
In 1863, attached to the cavalry command of General Chalmers in Northern Mississippi. On May 21, Chalmers ordered Kerr, with one rifled gun, to accompany Colonel Slemons' command to some point on the Mississippi River, near Austin, to fire upon and capture passing steamboats. On the same duty with Chalmers on the river in June, and in engagements along the Coldwater and Tallahatchie. Under Chalmers' command, at Panola, July, 1863; sent to Grenada, July 14.
Field and Staff
- Commander: J.F. Kerr (Captain)
Assignments
- May-July 1862: District of the Mississippi, department #2
- May-July 1863: Artillery, 5th Military District, Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana
Companies & Counties of Origin
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Battles, Skirmishes and Engagements
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