Episode 42: PVT Herbert W. Beecher and the 1st Connecticut Light Artillery Battery at the Battle of Secessionville

At the Battle of Secessionville, PVT Herbert W. Beecher and the 1st Connecticut Light Artillery Battery supported the advance of the 2nd Division upon the Tower Battery on James Island with their 4x 14-inch James Rifles. Though the Confederate Artillery mostly focused on the several infantry advances upon the Tower Battery, they eventually dueled with the men from Connecticut.

Sources used for this episode:

Beecher, Herbert W. History of the First Light Battery Connecticut Volunteers, 1861-1865. Personal Records and Reminiscences. The Story of the Battery from its Organization to the Present Time. New York: A. T. De La Mare PTG. And Pub. Co., LTD, 1901. https://archive.org/details/historyoffirstli01beec/page/n11/mode/2up.

Scott. Robert, N. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. ser. 1, vol. 14. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1885. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=coo.31924080782182&view=1up&seq=3.

Episode Transcript

(00:22):
Hello everyone, my name is BillCoghlan, and welcome to First
Person Civil War Podcast, whichretells the stories of the
soldiers, and officers, on theground in the battles of the
Civil War.
Episode 42 is entitled PrivateHerbert W.

(00:43):
Beecher and the 1st ConnecticutLight Artillery Battery at the
Battle of Successionville andrelies on his book, history of
the First Light BatteryConnecticut Volunteers, 1861 to
1865.
Personal records andreminiscences.
The story of the Battery fromits organization to the present

(01:05):
time, which he published in1901.
Herbert Willard Beecher was bornin Bethany, Connecticut on 31
January, 1839, to a family withroots in the state dating to
1638.
Though not specified in censusrecords, he lived in Virginia

(01:27):
for several years beforereturning to Connecticut
sometime before the 1860 census.
At the beginning of the CivilWar, Herbert Beecher worked as a
bookkeeper in New Haven and hada strong desire to fight.
After the firing on FortSumpter, he enlisted in the
second Connecticut Infantry A 90Day Regiment.

(01:48):
Which fought at the first battleof Bull Run, then mustered out
of service.
Connecticut soon receivedauthorization to form regiments
of infantry, cavalry, andbatteries of artillery for three
years of service.
One such organization was the1st Connecticut Light Artillery,

(02:08):
which distributed flyers inOctober 1861 with the following
advertisement.
A call having been made by thisstate for a battery of light
artillery, and GovernorBuckingham having authorized the
raising of the same, thiscommunication is sent to secure
your active cooperation inrecruiting such a company of

(02:30):
artillerymen as shall be thehonor of Connecticut.
Will be the only battery in thefield from this state.
In fact, more formed as the warprogressed, and continues.
And will comprise of six piecesof brass rifled ordnance, to be
commanded by the mostexperienced artillerist that can
be obtained, and before leavingfor the seat of war, will

(02:54):
receive a complete outfit.
Men are wanted, who will enterinto the service with a will to
sustain our government, and thisappeal is made to you to do what
you can to further the cause.
If you cannot go, get someone togo in your place.
From October to December of1861, 154 men joined the 1st

(03:18):
Connecticut Light Artillery.
which Herbert Beecher enlistedas a private on 29 November.
The battery formed at CampTyler, outside of Meriden,
Connecticut.
And upon arrival to the camp,Private Beecher's first task in
the battery was to care for thehorses.
I was brought up in Virginia,where roads were bad, and

(03:41):
everyone had to ride horseback.
Almost the first thing I canremember was being on the back
of a horse.
And while still a young child,was considered a fair horseman.
When I reached Camp Tyler andlooked over the battery, I
thought it was composed of theworst lot of horsemen I had ever
seen.
I was overheard as saying so.

(04:02):
And for my criticism, gotdetailed as a writer.
I was given a pair of horses.
One of them was a kicker.
I went to him and said, Whoa,boy! For saying that, I received
a kick, which sent me across thealley against the horse on the
other side.
As he did not like my companyany better than the first horse,

(04:23):
he sent me back again, and I wasagain greeted with another kick.
Life.
At Camp Tyler for the firstConnecticut Light Artillery
consisted of drill reading,artillery manuals, and caring
for the horses.
As they completed filling theranks by early December 1861.

(04:44):
On 13 January 1862, PrivateBeecher and the 1st Connecticut
Light Artillery departed camp totravel down to Buford, South
Carolina, and was assigned tothe Department of the South.
The 1st Connecticut LightArtillery had six 14 pounder
James rifles, and according toPrivate Beecher, the pieces were

(05:08):
so new that the projectileranges were unknown.
The original design was a sixpound smoothbore artillery
piece, but as the Civil Warbegan, the James rifle underwent
several variant modifications,all of which included rifled
bores and increased calibers.

(05:30):
It was a beautiful but untriedgun.
The elongated projectiles werealso new and had to be tested.
The target practice to determinethe ranges at once developed the
fact that about half of thepercussion shells were worse
than useless.
They not only often burst assoon as they left the gun, but

(05:52):
the gutta percha packing wasstripped off and firing, and the
shell, instead of following therifle, cut across it, to the
great injury of the gun.
With the ammunition issuesidentified and fixed, The 1st
Connecticut Light Artillerywould soon play an active part
in the operations againstCharleston, South Carolina.

(06:15):
After the success of the Battleof Port Royal, the Union, army
and Navy expanded its presenceon the South Carolina coast.
and prepared offensiveoperations on Charleston, the
site of the opening shots of thewar.
In early June, 1862, theDepartment of the South occupied

(06:36):
several islands south ofCharleston Harbor, including
James Island.
According to Major General DavidHunter, the commander of the
department, and the overallexpedition, The intent of
occupying these islands was forthe larger purpose of attacking
Charleston by land.
But he was unable to bring hisentire force onto the island,

(06:57):
and decided to wait untiltransports could return.
The Confederates on James Islandwere not idle with their foe so
close to the city of Charleston.
As part of an increase offortifications in the area, they
constructed the Tower Batteryjust outside of the small town
of Secessionville.

(07:18):
And Major General Hunterassessed that this position was
too strong for an assault withthe men that he had.
I therefore determined to makeno forward movement.
Having satisfied myself byreconnaissance of the increase
of the enemy's strength, I gavepositive orders to General
Benham.

(07:38):
that no advance should be madeuntil further explicit orders
have been received from theseheadquarters.
General Benham disobeyed thesepositive orders and clear
instructions.
Brigadier General Benjamin wBenham was placed in tactical
command of Brigadier GeneralHoratio Wrights first division

(08:02):
and Brigadier General Isaac.
I Stevens' second division,which included private feature
in the first Connecticut Lightartillery Major General Hunter
included the order to BrigadierGeneral Benham dated 10 June
1862 in his report.
In leaving the Stono River toreturn to Hilton Head, I desire

(08:24):
in any arrangements that you maymake for the disposition of your
forces now in this vicinity, youwill make no attempt to advance
on Charleston or to attack FortJohnson until largely
reinforced, or until you receivespecific instructions from these
headquarters to that effect.

(08:44):
Major General Hunter furtherstated that Brigadier General
Benham should select a properlocation for a fortified
encampment, with properamenities and securities from
the gunboats, and then himselfdepart for Hilton Head.
The position he selected for thecamps of the 1st and 2nd
Divisions proved too close tothe Confederates, and instead of

(09:07):
moving his camps to a saferposition, Brigadier General
Benham disobeyed Major GeneralHunter and ordered an assault
upon the tower battery atSecessionville.
Private.
Beecher gathered the account ofCaptain Alfred p Rockwell,
commander of the firstConnecticut Light Artillery when
he reported to Brigadier GeneralStevens on 15 June to receive

(09:31):
the battery's orders for theadvance on secession bill.
The Orders gave so littleindication of what was expected
of the Battery in its firstimportant action, being in
general, to follow a certainregiment, and keep in advance of
another, that Captain Rockwellsaid.
General, may I ask what is theplan of battle?

(09:54):
Dammit, sir, there isn't anyplan, the general replied very
emphatically.
You will fire when you get achance, and be careful not to
hit any of our own men.
It seemed quite clear thatGeneral Stevens did not approve
of the movement.
During the night of the 15thinto the morning of the 16th of

(10:16):
June, both Union divisionsdeparted their camps and
marched, as silently aspossible, toward the Confederate
fortifications atSecessionville.
The wheels of the artillerypieces and the caissons were
muffled.
And eventually private.
Beecher and his battery formedin support of Stevens' division

(10:36):
of two brigades, which was inposition by 3:30 AM 30 minutes
later, as the cloudy day dawned,the assault began.
Brigadier General Stevens'division began their advance
upon the Confederatefortifications and the 1st
Connecticut Light Artillerydivided into the howitzer, or

(10:58):
center section, and the right,or rifle section, to support the
advance and move guns at thesame time.
Of the four pieces of artilleryon the battlefield, Private
Beecher does not say which onehe manned.
The Howitzer section of thebattery, on reaching the field,

(11:18):
moved obliquely in the rear ofthe 8th Michigan and the
Highlanders.
These were the lead regiments ofboth brigades, and took up a
position on the left of theMichigan regiment about 500
yards from the tower of thefort.
And opened fire upon the enemy'searthwork, very soon after the
enemy had commenced firing.

(11:41):
From this first firing position,the howitzer section moved over
an embankment, which theartillerymen and a company of
engineers had to clear to allowthe guns to safely pass.
As the section moved, theyalmost lost a gun.
An accident happened to one ofthe guns and limbers in hurrying

(12:02):
across a deep ditch.
It capsized.
Such an unfortunate occurrencemight have caused a panic had
not the comrades been feverishlyexcited.
Gun and limber was quicklylifted up, ready to go on with
the other.
How was it done?
Not a man or officer could tell.
Comrade Lord often says that itseemed to him that he and

(12:26):
Comrade Scranton lifted it upthemselves.
Keep in mind that one James gunweighed approximately 900
pounds, so an entire gun crewand the horses was most likely
employed.
But this still does not discountthat the artillerymen were
probably running on some levelof adrenaline, being that this

(12:48):
was their first fight, and thatthey were now under fire from
the Confederate artillery.
Comrade Holly states that asolid shot struck the ground
close to the capsized gun,making the dirt fly and knocking
him down.
A cry went up that he waskilled.
But he was on his feet again ina moment.

(13:09):
None the worse for theexperience.
Private Beecher in the firstConnecticut.
Light artillery reunited in thesecond firing position as the
assault of the second divisioncontinued upon the tower
battery.
After getting into position, thehowitzers poured a galling fire

(13:30):
into the fort, and the enemyrealized that the Connecticut
men knew how to handle theirguns.
The right section, arrived uponthe field at the double quick,
and was advancing to support thecenter section.
When Captain Rockwell receivedorders to send one piece to
support Lieutenant Porter and toplant one gun in the road to
protect the left flank.

(13:51):
Accordingly, one piece joinedthe Howitzers and the three guns
did some effective work underconditions that tried men's
souls.
Though the 1st Connecticut LightArtillery targeted the tower
battery and the infantry comingto its support, By the report of
Colonel T.
G.
Lamar, commander of the 1stSouth Carolina Artillery and the

(14:14):
Tower Batteries commander, hispriority in the fight was not an
artillery duel, but fending offthe several infantry advances
upon his position.
He personally sighted the 8 inchColumbiad, loaded with
grapeshot, which was usedagainst infantry, and directed
the commanders of the otherartillery pieces in the fort to

(14:35):
use canister, which also wasused against infantry.
In marching to the support ofthe Tower Battery and forming on
its right, col.
J.
McEnery of the 4th LouisianaBattalion did come under the
guns of the 1st ConnecticutLight Artillery Battery.

(14:56):
In crossing this open marsh, andwhile placing the battalion in
position on the outer edge ofthe woods, it was exposed to a
terrific fire from the enemy'sgunboats, siege battery, fixed
batteries, and small arms.
I then ordered the men toadvance in the skirt of the
woods, the better to view theenemy, and afforded protection

(15:18):
from the incessant fire of theenemy.
At this point for half an hour,the fire on both sides was
indeed terrific.
As the 1st Connecticut LightArtillery continued to fire upon
the Tower Battery, theConfederates began to train
several guns upon them.
Private Beecher and others notedthat with the grapeshot and

(15:40):
canister were pieces of shells,glass bottles, old horseshoes,
nails, and chains which felllike hail round the men's heads,
pretty thick Never was thebattery more exposed to a heavy
fire.
Furious at the excellent workdone by the Connecticut men, the

(16:01):
enemy was determined to silencethe battery.
And the heavy fire of grape,canister, and solid shot was
poured from the enemy'searthworks, which he described
as at a distance of less than500 yards.
It seems almost miraculous thatnone was killed.
The two howitzers were firing sorapidly that the guns became

(16:23):
very hot, And Comrade Lord, whowas on his knees, cursing like a
pirate, says Comrade Scrantonwas burnt as he loaded it.
By God! exclaimed Lord.
it is so hot, it sizzles! Theinfantry assaults at the Battle
of Secessionville ultimatelyfailed, and the Union Army had

(16:45):
no choice but to retreat.
While the 1st Connecticut LightArtillery suffered no
casualties, the infantryregiments that participated in
the assaults were decimated.
Major General Hunter placedBrigadier General Benham under
arrest.
and began court martialproceedings against him for
disobeying his orders.

(17:05):
With the reinforcements stillmissing, and now the defeat at
Secessionville, Major GeneralHunter had no choice but to
abandon James Island, andshifted his forces elsewhere.
Private Beecher remained in the1st Connecticut Light Artillery
Battery and mustered out ofservice as a corporal at the end

(17:26):
of his enlistment on 6 December1864.
In 1901, Herbert Beecherpublished History of the First
Light Battery, ConnecticutVolunteers, 1861 to 1865.
Personal Records andReminiscences, the story of the
battery from its organization tothe present time.

(17:48):
At the beginning of his book, hecredits the entire battery and
their families in the productionof the history of the First
Connecticut Light Artillery.
The historian, believing thatthe record of the battery was
worth preserving in imperishableshape, determined to do all that
was possible to make the historyas perfect as circumstances

(18:11):
would allow.
It was his desire.
That story of the battery shouldbe told by its members as nearly
as possible in their own wordsTo obtain this result, he has
written hundreds of letters,traveled thousands of miles, and
interviewed many of thesurviving comrades and the
descendants of those who havepassed from the Earth life.

(18:33):
In order that this history maybe a valued possession through
the succeeding generations.
Thank you for listening to the42nd episode.
The link to private Beachersbook and links to social media
are available on the podcastwebsite.
First person Civil Warpodcast.com.

(18:56):
On Facebook, Instagram, X, andLinkedIn this week, you will
find a picture of PrivateHerbert W.
Beecher, sometime during thewar.
The history of the 1stConnecticut Light Artillery is
worth a glance, not just becausethis book has numerous pictures
of the men who served, but alsoseveral sketches of battles,

(19:20):
picket duty, and daily life.
In two weeks time, SergeantWilliam H.
Tunard of Company K, 3rdLouisiana, provides next
episode's first person accountat the Battle of Wilson's Creek.

(19:41):
My name is Bill Coghlan, andthank you for listening to First
Person Civil War Podcast.