Battery L, 1st Artillery Regiment (Light) - George Breck Columns: Chapter 37: Appendix E, Palmyra And Battery L

“I would mention in a particular manner, Bugler R. Mastin Smith, who, when one of the cannoneers was wounded, dismounted from his horse and bravely filled the part of the wounded man.”
--George Breck, from his official report on Battery L’s actions during the Battle of Gettysburg.

Reynolds’ Battery L of the 1st New York Light Artillery is usually considered a Rochester unit. However, a sizeable contingent of its members – 33, according to the adjutant general’s register – enlisted at Palmyra, a thriving community on the Erie Canal about 20 miles southeast of Rochester in Wayne County.

Many of these Palmyra members, including R. Mastin Smith (listed as Robert M. Smith below), made important contributions to the battery. Charles Anderson not only was an active recruiter for the battery, but was one of its lieutenants. He was also one of Breck’s best “chums” and political soul mates. (1)

During the later stages of the war, James Kiggan served as quartermaster sergeant, which, as Breck told his readers, was the “hardest, most perplexing, trying, thankless, difficult post” to fill. (2)

Ultimately, four of the Palmyra enlistees gave their lives: Charles Carpenter and John Smith of wounds in battle; Oliver M. Jones and Jonathan Ouston of disease.

Here, then, is the list of members of Battery L who enlisted at Palmyra, according to the adjutant general’s annual report. Note the precautions about these reports mentioned on page 554.

Anderson, Charles L., age 22, enlisted Sept. 21, 1861, at Palmyra. Mustered in as quartermaster sergeant, Battery L, Oct. 25, 1861, to serve three years. Mustered in as 2nd lieutenant, April 10,1862; as 1st lieutenant, April 5, 1863. Mustered out Oct. 29, 1864, at expiration of term of service.

Angus, James William, 22, enlisted Dec. 1, 1862(1?) at Palmyra. Mustered in as private, Battery L, Dec. 13, 1861, to serve three years. Re-enlisted Dec. 28, 1863. Prisoner of war at Andersonville, Ga., and Florence, Ala., dates not stated. Mustered out with battery June 17, 1865, at Elmira.

Arnold, Judson H., age 25, enlisted Sept. 28, 1861, at Palmyra. Mustered in as corporal, Battery L, Oct. 25, 1861, to serve three years. Discharged for disability, June 18, 1862, at Baltimore.

Berdan, Albert, 23, enlisted Dec. 9, 1861, at Palmyra. Mustered in as private, Battery L, Dec. 13, 1861, to serve three years. Deserted Dec. 28, 1862, at Belle Plain, Va.

Campbell, John George, age 44, enlisted Oct. 7, 1861, at Palmyra. Mustered in as private, Battery L, Oct. 25, 1861, to serve three years. Appointed corporal, date not stated. Discharged Oct. 24, 1864.

Carpenter, Charles E., age 19, enlisted Oct. 1, 1861, at Palmyra. Mustered in as private, Battery L, Oct. 25, 1861, to serve three years. Died May 2, 1863, in Field Hospital of wounds received in action.

Chapman, William J., age 25, enlisted Sept. 28, 1861, at Palmyra. Mustered in as private, Battery L, Oct. 25, 1861, to serve three years. Mustered out with battery, June 17, 1865, at Elmira.

Chase, Winfield S., 26, enlisted Nov. 22, 1861, at Palmyra. Mustered in as private, Battery L, Dec. 13, 1861, to serve three years. Appointed sergeant, date not stated. Wounded at Chancellorsville, May 2, 1863. Transferred April 6, 1864, to Veteran Reserve Corps.

Cox, Charles, 21, enlisted Dec. 31, 1861, at Palmyra. Mustered in as private, Battery L, Jan. 24, 1862, to serve three years. Deserted, July 10, 1862, at Kernstown, Va.; second desertion.

Ford, Peter H., 25, enlisted Nov. 1, 1861, at Palmyra. Mustered in as private, Battery L, Nov. 12, 1861, to serve three years. No further record.

Ford, William, 25, enlisted Oct. 4, 1861, at Palmyra. Mustered in as private, Battery L, Oct. 25, 1861, to serve three years. Discharged, Oct. 27, 1864.

Gregory, Charles W., 22, enlisted Dec. 9, 1861, at Palmyra. Mustered in as private, Battery L, Dec. 13, 1861, to serve three years. Discharged Dec. 13, 1864, in the field.

Hartney, James, 23, enlisted Dec. 9, 1861 at Palmyra. Mustered in as private, Battery L, Dec. 13, 1861, to serve three years. Re-enlisted Dec. 28, 1863. Mustered out with battery, June 17, 1865, at Elmira, N.Y.

Hibbard, Ashley A., 18, enlisted Dec. 31, 1861, at Palmyra. Mustered in as private, Battery L, Jan. 24, 1861(62?) to serve three years. Discharged Dec. 29, 1864, in the field.

Hickey, Michael, 20, enlisted Feb. 8, 1864, at Palmyra. Mustered in as private, Battery L, Feb. 12, 1864, to serve three years. Mustered out with battery, June 17, 1865, at Elmira, N.Y.

Jackway, Jesse S., 44, enlisted Dec. 1, 1861, at Palmyra. Mustered in as private, Battery L, Dec. 13, 1861, to serve three years. Discharged Dec. 13, 1864, in the field.

Jones, Oliver M., age 18, enlisted Dec. 20, 1861, at Palmyra. Mustered in as private, Battery L, Dec. 24, 1861, to serve three years. Died of disease, October 1862, at Alexandria, Va.

Kellogg, Milo C., 18, enlisted Dec. 31, 1861, at Palmyra. Mustered in as private, Battery L, Jan. 24, 1862, to serve three years. Discharged for disability, March 15, 1862, at Baltimore.

Kennedy, James, 25, enlisted Sept. 30, 1861, at Palmyra. Mustered in as private, Battery L, Oct. 25, 1861, to serve three years. Discharged Oct. 24, 1864, in the field.

Kiggan, James, 26, enlisted Oct. 4, 1861, at Palmyra. Mustered in as private, Battery L, Oct. 25, 1861, to serve three years. Re-enlisted, Dec. 28, 1863. Appointed quartermaster sergeant, date not stated. Mustered out with battery, June 17, 1865, at Elmira.

McDonald, Oliver L., 18, enlisted Dec. 1, 1861, at Palmyra. Mustered in as private, Battery L, Dec. 13, 1861, to serve three years. Discharged, Dec. 13, 1864, in the field.

Murrell, William J., 21, enlisted Dec. 31, 1861, at Palmyra. Mustered in as private, Battery L, Jan. 24, 1862, to serve three years. Deserted, Jan. 24, 1862, at Albany, N.Y., as Morrell.

Neil, Patrick, 25, enlisted Oct. 2, 1861, at Palmyra. Mustered in as private, Battery L, Oct. 25, 1861, to serve three years. Re-enlisted Jan. 4, 1864. Discharged for disability, July 25, 1864, at Rochester.

Nelson, William H., 21, enlisted Oct. 1, 1861, at Palmyra. Mustered in as private, Battery L, Oct. 25, 1861, to serve three years. Discharged Oct. 24, 1864, in the field.

Olvill, George, 44, enlisted Dec. 16, 1861, at Palmyra. Mustered in as private, Battery L, Dec. 24, 1861, to serve three years. Discharged Dec. 23, 1864, in the field as Olivite.

Ouston, Jonathan, 44, enlisted Dec. 16, 1861, at Palmyra. Mustered in as private, Battery L, Dec. 24, 1861, to serve three years. Died of disease, March 7, 1863, at Baltimore.

Perry, Nathan B., 18, enlisted Dec. 18, 1861, at Palmyra. Mustered in as private, Battery L, Dec. 24, 1861, to serve three years. Discharged for disability, April 29, 1862, at Baltimore.

Pinckney, Peter, 43, enlisted Nov. 7, 1861, at Palmyra. Mustered in as private, Battery L, Nov. 12, 1861, to serve three years. Discharged for disability, May 15, 1862, at Baltimore.

Risley, William M., 28, enlisted Dec. 16, 1861, at Palmyra. Mustered in as private, Battery L, Dec. 24, 1861, to serve three years. Transferred Sept. 30, 1863, to Veteran Reserve Corps.

Rooney, Charles A., age 25, enlisted Sept. 25, 1861, at Palmyra. Mustered in as private, Battery L, Sept. 25, 1861, to serve three years. Re-enlisted Jan. 4, 1864. Mustered in as 2nd lieutenant, Battery B, to date Dec. 13, 1864; as 1st lieutenant, April 22, 1865. Mustered out with Battery B, June 18, 1865, at Elmira.

Smith, John A., 40, enlisted Dec. 16, 1861, at Palmyra. Mustered in as private, Battery L, Dec. 13(?), 1861, to serve three years. Died Aug. 28, 1862, of wounds received in action.

Smith, Robert M., age 22, enlisted Oct. 17, 1861, at Palmyra. Mustered in as bugler, Battery L, Oct. 25, 1861, to serve three years. Reduced, date not stated. Discharged Oct. 24, 1864, in the field.

Supple, John, 21, enlisted Feb. 9, 1864, at Palmyra. Mustered in as private, Battery L, Feb. – 1864, to serve three years. No further record.

Transcribed And Donated By Bob MarcotteTranscribed And Donated By Bob Marcotte
Robert E. Marcotte
Rochester, N.Y.
February 2005