The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-10-28
.HOWITZERS BATTERY
HAS NOTABLE HISTORY
Famous Organization Whose Active Members Are Now Pre-
pairing for Active Service in France Warmly
Supported BY Friends Home.

Nember g., 1859. mainly through the
efforts of George w. Randolph Of
Richmond, Va, who was their hrst
captain. He was afterwards promot-
ed hriga der general OF artillery, and
finally rose 10 the exalted position OF
secretary Of war Of the Confederate
states OF America
The first service performed by the
battery was at Harpers Ferry, Va.
where they were sent to aid in queli-
ing the John Brown raid At this
time the battery had not been uni
formed. IL was there that the Howtt-
gers Arst met the man who was destin-
ed to bece me their famous commander
In the eat struggle between the
states--vi2, Colonel Robert f. Lee,
who IVES then the federal officer in
command OF that post.
The frat guns which the battery
used were naval howitzers They
were mounted on iron carriages curl
ously constructed. and were very pretty
small brass guns. On the occasion OF
their first parade the guns were drawn
through the streets ny ropes manned
by the cannoneers. II Was from these
guns that the organization derived
It's name. When the battery was call
ed into active service the guns. or
course, were changed. but the com
mand retains until now the name
"Howitzers
When the question Of secession WAS
being agftated the battery began to
increase 81 numbers, and when must
cred into service, on tho 2lst day of
April 1861. the mem bership had in
creased to 1926 men About that time
they were sent down the James river
10 repel the "Pawuee' an armed yes
sell of the United States navy. which
was supposed TO be about to attack
Richmond. The battery was nrst
ouartered In the basement of the
Spotswood hotel, and on the 26th of
April 1861, went into artillery camp
at the Richmond college. where, IN
consequence OF the increased mem
bership. they were divided into three
batteries ard formed into a battalion.
with George N. Randolph as major.
under the command of colonel (after-
wards gsnera) Magruder.
- i1r- Hret-.,stt~rs --.rt+-- commanded
NY Captain John c. Shields; First
Lieutenant DR.. W. 7. Palmer. carter
wards captain) Second Lieutenant
Edward s. Mccarthy. a gallant sol
der, afterwards made captain, and
KILLED at Cold Harbor. in June, 1854.
Al this time John Esten Cooke, the
novelist. was third sergeant In the first
battery. Sergeant r. NJ. Anderson
succeeded Captain Mccarthy, and re-
ssained command OF the battery until
the close of the war
The second battery was formed un-
der the command OF Captain J.
Thompson Brown. who afterwards. rose
10 the rank OF colonel OF artillery, and
was killed in battle on the 18th Of May.
1861. This battery was sent TO
Gloucester Point on the York river
where with their guns on the besch of
sand, they engaged with and drove
off q gunboat called Yankee"
The third battery was formed under
command OF Captain Robert G.
Stanard and was ordered To Yorktown
where on the 10th Of May, 1861. III
was reunited with the battery, under
command of Major George w. RAN
dolph Captain stenard died october
2sth. 1851 and was succeeded by Ed
gar p. Mosely. who was Killed near
Petersburg in 1864
The battalion was represented by
one OF the three batteries and some
times bv all In the following battles
Bethel. Balls BLUFF. Winchester.
Sailors Creek. Cold Harbor. Apo
rnattox. Yorktown, MechAnicsYilfe,
Tredericksburg. Spotsylvania, Sharps-
burg. Williamsburg Gaines Mil
Gettysburg, Seven Pines. Mine Run.
Manassas I.eeSbuEE, Charlottesville,
Elierson's MN Petersburg. And many
other important engagements.
During the war 262 men were com
Inissioned from the three batteries of
the Richmond Eowltzers and assigned
TO other commands, Whom the battle
flag OF the Howitzers was furled mt
Apponattox they turned their faces
homeward penniless, as all other Con-
fsderate soldiers. but they learned TO
suffer and oe strong and did not
give way to despair. but began anew
TO fight the battle of existence with the
same grit and determination that they
had SERVED their guns from Bethel
to Appomattox.
The present active battery OF the
Richmond Howitzers vas re-oyganized
on the 10th of April 1874. Captain
Carter was succeeded by Captain, r.
{. Workman. who. In turn, was sue
ceeded by Captain f. J. Bosher, Then
came Captain Beaure9ard Lorraine,
who was followed by Captain John A.
H8tcheson.o who was succeeded by
Captain r. A. Williams. Upon the
resignation OF Captain Williams. he
was succeeded by Captain William NJ,
Myers inow lieutenant The
present CT plain of the battery now at
Camp Oglethorpe is former First
Lieutenant Edward g. Rees. who sue
ceeded Captain Myers Captain Myers.
who has served continuously for
twenty years. left on July Z last with
his command, which numbered 1913
men, TO participate in the world war,
Captain Myers has the distinction OF
being the youngest captain the Howit-
GERS ever had, being only twenty years
OF age at the time he was elected to
the eaptaincy. He is a thorough tacti-
clan, having made the highest percent
age upon his military examination.
ever attained by any officer appearing
before the state examining board
Captain Myers was promoted to the
rank Of lieutenant of the lt1th
regiment of field artillery OF which the
Howitzers are a unit. Colonel Myers
is descended from a long line OF dis
tinguished men ia the army and navy.
He is the son of tho late William
Washington Myers who served with
such galiantry as first lieutenant OF
Rtleys battery tRomAn). ". c. ar
tiHery, army Nothern Virginia, during
the four years OF war.
First Lieutenant Jas G. Pollard, !
who Was for seventeen years connected
with the Howitzers. was with the bat
terry ON the border. and was said 20
be one of the most efficient officers in
the national gnard, MAS given years tsf
nntistns efforts In helping to keen ths