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better could have gone into action than those who so distinguished themselves at
Honey Hill.
Having gathered a good deal of information about the coast defence, and of this decisive battle, and believing that the particulars of each of these artillery commands would be interesting to the
South Carolina public, I write this communication.
Beaufort Volunteer Artillery (Stuart's Battery).
Our historian, the late
William Gilmore Sims, is authority for the statement that this command was founded in 1776, and served during the war for independence; it was on duty at the siege of
Charleston, and of course, was included in the surrender of May, 1780.
The commanders from 1776-1865 have been
Captains Burke,
Henry,
Grayson Zealy,
George P. Elliott,
B. J. Johnson,
J. G. Barnwell,
Stephen Elliott, Jr.,
H. M. Stuart.
In the early days of this organization its services were presumably for heavy artillery, a similar organization existing in
Charleston at the same period, and now maintained only as a social one, ‘The Charleston Ancient Artillery.’
As far back as present memories go, the company had field pieces, but did not use horses.
The light battery gun drill was kept up, and the members were familiar with the light artillery manoeuvres, the mechanism of guns, carriages, caissons, and familiar with the different projectiles in use according to the United States artillery manual of that date.
The high character of its membership, and its efficiency gave it prominence at the opening of ‘the war between the States.’
At the
Battle of Port Royal, November 7, 1861, this command, under
Captain Stephen Elliott, Jr., (later brigadiergen-eral, C. S. A.) was assigned to duty on the
Bay Point side of the harbor, and it was the only artillery garrison on that side.
Colonel Dunovant's infantry regiment was in the rear of the fort as a supporting force, but took no part in the action.
The lieutenants were
Baker,
Rhodes and
Stuart.
No reference to the
Port Royal battle can properly be made without mention of the artillery garrison on the
Hilton Head side, which comprised the German Artillery batallion,
Colonel John A. Wagener, from
Charleston; Company A,
Captain D. Werner,
Lieutenants D. Leseman,
G. Linstedt,
F. W. Wagener; Company B,
Captain H. Harms,
Lieutenants F. Melchers,
B. Meyerhoff (killed),
H. Klatte; who as bravely shared the honors and sacrifices of that day. In 1871
General John A. Wagener was elected
Mayor of
Charleston by a very complimentary vote.
