1st Maryland Light Artillery / Battery A (U)

== Regimental History and Service Record ==
 
 
 In Brief
"Rigby's Battery"
Organized at Baltimore, Md., with Purnell Legion August and September, 1861. Attached to Dix's Command, Baltimore, Md., to May, 1862. 4th Brigade, Artillery Reserve, 5th Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to September, 1862. Artillery, 1st Division, 6th Army Corps, to May, 1863. 4th Volunteer Brigade, Artillery Reserve, Army of the Potomac, to July, 1863. 3rd Volunteer Brigade, Artillery Reserve, Army of the Potomac, to October, 1863. Artillery Brigade, 1st Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to March, 1864. Camp Barry, Defenses of Washington, 22nd Army Corps, to May, 1864. 1st Brigade, DeRussy's Division, 22nd Army Corps, to July, 1864. Reserve Division, Harper's Ferry, W. Va., to January, 1865. 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, West Virginia, to March, 1865.
SERVICE.--
* Duty at Baltimore, Md., and on eastern shore of Maryland till May, 1862. 
* Joined Army of the Potomac on the Virginia Peninsula. 
* June ?-August ?, 1862 - The Peninsula Campaign
** June 25-July 1, 1862 - The Seven Days Battles before Richmond, Virginia
*** June 26, 1862 - Engagement at Beaver Dam Creek, Virginia
*** June 29, 1862 - Engagement at Savage's Station, Virginia
*** June 30, 1862 - Engagement at White Oak Swamp, Virginia
*** July 1, 1862 - Engagement at Malvern Hill, Virginia
* At Harrison's Landing till August 15. 
* Movement to Fortress Monroe and Alexandria August 15-22. 
* September 3-20, 1862 - The Maryland Campaign
** Battles of Crampton's Pass, South Mountain, Md., September 14. 
** September 17, 1862 - Battle of Antietam, Maryland
* At Downsville, Md., till October 29. 
* Movement to Falmouth, Va., October 29-November 19. 
* Battle of Fredericksburg, Va., December 12-15. 
* "Mud March" January 20-24, 1863. 
* At White Oak Church till April 27. 
* April 27-May 6, 1863 - The Chancellorsville Campaign
** Operations at Franklin's Crossing April 29-May 2. 
** Battle of Maryes Heights, Fredericksburg, May 3. 
** Salem Heights May 3-4. 
** Banks' Ford May 4. 
Gettysburg (Pa.) Campaign June II-July 24. Battle of Gettysburg July 1-3. Duty on line of the Rappahannock and Rapidan till October. Bristoe Campaign October 9-22. Advance to line of the Rappahannock November 7-8, Mine Run Campaign November 26-December 2. Demonstration on the Rapidan February 6-7, 1864. Morton's Ford February 6-7. At Camp Barry and in the Defenses of Washington March to July, 1864. Dismounted and ordered to Harper's Ferry, W. Va., July 3 as Infantry. Duty in District of Harper's Ferry, W. Va., till March, 1865. 
* March 11, 1865 - Consolidated with Maryland Light Artillery / Battery B (U)
 
 
 1861
THIS battery was organized at Baltimore and Pikesville, Maryland, in August and September, 1861, to serve three years.
On the expiration of its term of service, the original members (except veterans) were mustered out, and the organization, composed of veterans and recruits, retained in service until March 11, 1865, when it was consolidated with Battery B, Maryland Light Artillery.
Battery A was originally a part of the Purnell Legion, Maryland Volunteers.
In the latter part of the year 1861, Battery A was sent to the eastern shore of Virginia, where it rendered efficient service.
 
 
 1862
In the early part of the year 1862, the battery was sent to the Army of the Potomac, then under General McClellan, in his campaign against Richmond, Virginia, and assigned to the artillery reserve under General Hunt, where it performed splendid service, more especially at the battle of Malvern Hill, Va., July 1, 1862, on the right of the Federal line with Sumner's corps. In this battle the Federal artillery was instrumental in repulsing, with severe losses, the Confederate army under General Robert E. Lee.
During the Maryland campaign, caused by the invasion of Lee's Confederate army in September, 1862, Battery A, Maryland Light Artillery, again rendered conspicuous service, especially at Crampton's Gap, Md., September 14, 1862, and at the battle of Antietam, September 17, 1862.
At the battle of Antietam (really the most severe in losses by death in a single day's fight during the Civil War), Battery A, Maryland Light Artillery, was posted on the right of the line with Slocum's Division, in front of the Dunkard Church, where the battle raged fiercely all day, with alternate victory and defeat.
The battery was commended by General Slocum, commanding division, for its gallantry and efficiency.
The battery experienced serious loss in the battle.
After the battle of Antietam the battery took part with the Army of the Potomac in all of its subsequent movements, culminating in the battles of Fredericksburg, Va., December 13, 1862, and Marye's Heights, Va., May 3, 1863. 
Atthe battle of Fredericksburg, Va., Battery A was highly complimented by Colonel Wainright, Chief of Artillery of the 1st Army Corps.
 
 
 1863
Battery A marched with the Army of the Potomac during the Gettysburg Campaign.
At the battle of Gettysburg, Pa., Battery A took part in the second and third days' fight, having been posted on the extreme right of the line with the 12th Army Corps.
 
 
 1864
 
 
 1865
The battery continued on active duty until its consolidation with Battery B, Maryland Light Artillery, March 11, 1865.
The record of this battery, more especially whilst under the command of Captain Rigby, was a brilliant one, and reflected great credit upon the battery and the State.
Battery A, Maryland Light Artillery, incurred the following losses by death during its term of service, viz.: Killed in battle, six enlisted men; died of wounds, disease, etc., twenty-eight enlisted men; total losses by death, thirty-four enlisted men.
Battery A, Maryland Light Artillery, participated in the following battles during the Civil War, viz.: Malvern Hill, Va., July 1, 1862; Crampton's Gap, Md., September 14, 1862; Fredericksburg, Va., December 13, 1862 ; Marye's Heights, Va., May 3, 1863; Salem Heights, Va., May 3-4, 1863; Gettysburg, Pa., July 2-3, 1863.
NOTE.—"The battery was organized under Cap. Jno. W. Wolcott and was under his command at battles of Malvern Hill, Fredericksburg, Crampton's Gap and Antietam."
 
 
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== Regimental Roster ==
 
 
 Battery A
 
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== Regiment Statistical Information ==
* Battery lost during service 6 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 28 Enlisted men by disease. Total 34.
== Legacy ==
== Notes ==
== Sources == 
* (Pages 760, 902, 903, 904, 905, 1230-1231)
* (Pages 795-802)
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