Holmes’ Battery

Battery H was organized September, 1863, with James H. Holmes, captain; George W.K. Smith as first lieutenant. December 31, 1863, the battery is assigned to Maj. G.F. Merriam’s artillery brigade, Genl B.F. Kelley’s department. May 6, 1864, the battery is ordered from Wheeling to New Creek, where it was assigned to man the guns of the fort at that place, which position it occupied until December 31, 1864. On August 4, 1864, took part in the engagement of the attack upon New Creek, and November 28, 1864, were victims of the capture of that place by the Confederate Generals Rosser and Payne. The battery remained in General Kelley’s department during its term of service, and was mustered out July 11, 1865.

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

Organized at Maryland Heights, Md., January 4, 1864. Attached to 1st Division, Army of West Virginia, to April, 1864. Kelly’s Command, Reserve Division, West Virginia, to July, 1865.

SERVICE.–Garrison and guard duty at Harper’s Ferry, New Creek, Cumberland, Md., Moorefield, W. Va., and at various points on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad west of Sleepy Hollow till July, 1865. Action at New Creek August 4, 1864. Affair at Moorefield November 27-28, 1864. Mustered out July 11, 1865.

[Source: Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, by Frederick Dyer]

The 1st West Virginia Light Artillery regiment lost 33 men, killed and died of wounds; 131 men, died of disease, accident or in prison; total deaths, 164 men. (all 8 batteries)

[Source: Regimental Losses in the American Civil War, 1861-1865,by William F. Fox]

1st West Virginia Light Artillery – National Park Service

1st West Virginia Light Artillery – West Virginia Adjutant General Papers at West Virginia State Archives

Battery H, 1st West Virginia Light Artillery – The Civil War in the East