OHIO SIXTEENTH LIGHT ARTILLERY (SIXTEENTH INDEPENDENT BATTERY, "MITCHELL'S") (Three Years)

Sixteenth Independent Battery Light Artillery. Capts., James A. Mitchell, Russell P. Twist; First Lieuts., George Murdock, Isaac N. Mitchell, Edward H. Funston; Second Lieuts., Daniel Dawson, Cornelius S. Chancellor. This battery was mustered into service on Sept. 5, 1861, at Cincinnati, to serve for three years. It immediately embarked for St. Louis, where it remained the greater part of the following winter. In the spring it was ordered to Arkansas and during the summer and fall experienced some hard marches in that state. It participated in two expeditions up White river, which resulted in the capture of Des Arc and Devall's Bluff, with some heavy pieces of artillery, many small arms and 800 prisoners. Leaving Helena, Ark., it joined Gen. Grant's expedition for the capture of Vicksburg, participating in the battles of Port Gibson, Fourteen-mile creek, and Champion's hill. At the last named place the battery was brought into the thickest of the fight and suffered much. At Vicksburg it moved to within 400 yards of the main line of the enemy's works, in order to cover a charge, occupying, according to the statement of Gen. Grant, "the most conspicuous position on the line of which it made good use from day to day and from night to night." It lost a few men in killed and wounded. On July 5 it was ordered to march for Jackson, where the enemy was routed and the city captured. In that campaign the battery expended over 50 tons of ammunition. On the expiration of its term of service the original members, except veterans, were mustered out, and the organization composed of veterans and recruits was retained in service until Aug. 2, 1865, when it was mustered out at Camp Chase, Ohio, in accordance with orders from the war department.

Source: The Union Army, vol. 2

Ohio 16th Volunteer Independent Light Artillery (Union)

1861-09-05

Organized - Ohio 16th Volunteer Independent Light Artillery - Ohio

1863-05-16

Battle - Champion Hill - Hinds County, Mississippi

1865-08-02

Mustered Out - Ohio 16th Volunteer Independent Light Artillery - Ohio

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