7th Massachusetts Battery | |
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Active | March 17, 1862 – November 10, 1865 |
Country | United States |
Branch | Union Army |
Type | Field artillery |
Size | Battery |
Engagements | American Civil War |
Commanders | |
1st | Captain Phineas A. Davis |
2nd | Capt. Newman W. Storer |
The 7th Massachusetts Battery (or 7th Battery Massachusetts Light Artillery) was an artillery battery that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The original core of the unit was a company of infantry known as the Richardson Light Guard. The company initially served provost duty at Fortress Monroe, was eventually trained in light artillery drill, and reorganized on March 17, 1862 as the 7th Massachusetts Battery.
The battery served in a geographically diverse variety of military departments and campaigns. In 1862 and 1863, they served in the Department of Virginia and North Carolina primarily in operations in the vicinity of Suffolk, Virginia and saw combat in several engagements there including the Battle of Deserted House. Later in 1863, the 7th Massachusetts Battery served on the Virginia Peninsula during a demonstration against Richmond, in New York City in the wake of the draft riots, and later in the defenses of Washington. In January 1864, the battery was transferred to the Department of the Gulf and took part in operations in Louisiana. Later in 1864 the battery moved to Arkansas as part of the Army of West Mississippi. In 1865, the battery took part in the Mobile Campaign and saw action during the Battle of Fort Blakely. After the Confederate surrender, the battery was deployed to Houston, Texas where they performed various details over the summer of 1865. In October, the unit began its journey back to Massachusetts and was mustered out in Boston on November 10, 1865.