Draw the Sword

Thompson’s Battery

Location: Near the old Cyclorama building in Ziegler’s Grove

Order of Battle: 6th Corps Artillery Brigade

Number Engaged: 6 Napoleons and 113 men; no loss

Commander: Lt. John H. Butler (1838-1910).

Raised: Enlisted from New York City and Suffolk County, Massachusetts, this unit was originally organized in 1821. At the start of the Civil War, it was stationed at Fort Mackinac in Michigan.

Monument Specifications: Polished granite monument with rough hewn sides with bronze plaque and seal affixed to the front.

Dedication Date: ca. 1907-1908.

Main Inscription: Reads,

ARMY OF THE POTOMAC
SIXTH CORPS
ARTILLERY BRIGADE
BATTERY G SECOND U. S. ARTILLERY
Six 12 Pounders
Lieut. John H. Butler Commanding

July 2. Arrived in the afternoon with the Corps and held in Reserve.

July 3. Brought up to Ziegler’s Grove in rear of Third Division Second Corps on repulse of Longstreet’s assault.

Other Monuments and Memorials: None.

Regimental History ~ Dyer’s Compendium of the War of the Rebellion:

At Washington, D.C., May, 1861. Attached to Davies’ Brigade, Miles’ Division, McDowell’s Army, Northeast Virginia, June to August, 1861. Kearney’s Brigade, Division of the Potomac, to October, 1861. Artillery, Franklin’s Division, Army of the Potomac, to January, 1862. Artillery, Heintzelman’s Division, Army of the Potomac, to March, 1862. Artillery, 3rd Division, 3rd Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to August, 1862. Artillery, 1st Division, 4th Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to September, 1862. Artillery, 3rd Division, 6th Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to May, 1863. Artillery Brigade, 6th Army Corps, to August, 1863. 2nd Brigade, Horse Artillery, Army of the Potomac, to June, 1864. 1st Brigade, DeRussy’s Division, 22nd Army Corps, Defenses of Washington, D.C., south of the Potomac, to August, 1865.

SERVICE.–Advance on Manassas, Va., July 16-21, 1861. Near Fairfax Court House July 17. Battle of Bull Run July 21. Duty in the Defenses of Washington until March, 1862. Moved to Virginia Peninsula. Siege of Yorktown April 5-May 4. Near Williamsburg May 4. Battle of Williamsburg May 5. Battle of Fair Oaks, Seven Pines, May 31-June 1. Seven days before Richmond June 25-July 1. Oak Grove June 25. Glendale June 30. Malvern Hill July 1. At Harrison’s Landing until August 16. Moved to Alexandria, Va., August 16-24. Maryland Campaign September 6-22. Battle of Antietam September 16-17. Movement to Falmouth, Va., October 30-November 19. Battle of Fredericksburg, Va., December 12-15. “Mud March” January 20-24, 1863. At Falmouth until April. Chancellorsville Campaign April 27-May 6. Operations at Franklin’s Crossing April 29-May 2. Battle of Maryes Heights, Fredericksburg, May 3. Salem Heights May 3-4. Battle of Gettysburg, Pa., July 1-3. Advance from the Rappahannock to the Rapidan September 13-17. Culpeper-Court House September 13. Bristoe Campaign October 9-22. Advance to line of the Rappahannock November 7-8. Mine Run Campaign November 26-December 2. New Hope Church November 27. Demonstration on the Rapidan February 6-7, 1864. Barnett’s Ford February 6-7. Rapidan Campaign May 4-June 2. Wilderness May 5-7. Spotsylvania Court House May 8-21. North Anna River May 23-26. On line of the Pamunkey May 26-28. Totopotomoy May 28-31. Cold Harbor May 31-June 2. Dismounted June 2 and ordered to Washington, D.C. Duty in the Defenses of that city until August, 1865.