Ron & Len

Came across your conversation during my research on my gggrandfather's civil war service. He was a corporal in Beauregard's (Ferguson's) Battery from April 4, 1862 to his capture April 12, 1865 at Salisbury, NC.

Ron's description aligns with what I have been able to find. Apparently, Beauregard's Battery was one of the batteries originally assigned to Mobile, but PGT Beauregard asked that his son's battery join him in NC. "Cannoneers in Gray" was very helpful. I also found Chris Hartley's "Stoneman's Raid 1865" provided a good overview of how the battery was used at Grants Creek. Those captured at Grants Creek were sent to Camp Chase in Ohio despite being captured after Johnston's surrender (probably due to slowness of communication). My gggrandfather was released from Chase on June 13, 1865, as were other men captured at Salisbury. I have a copy of those release papers that was handed down through the family. I believe I read that Rene Beauregard was also captured after Grants Creek, but paroled in Greensborough (now Greensboro). I assume due to his rank and/or father.

Len, you mentioned Lt H.D. Calhoun (he recruited my gggrandfather in Pickens District, SC). I have read his Service Records and found that he stayed in SC for some time after, the then, Ferguson Battery was sent to Mississippi. At least for the remainder of 1863. I get the impression he was on detached service, but don't know what he was doing and how many cannon he had. There is some indication that he was in Georgia during 1864. Do you know any more about him?

Like Ron said, you have to dig deep. I am going through all the Service Records for that battery (source: Fold3). Officer's records, like Calhoun's and Beauregard's, reveal detailed information with respect to requisitions, locations, needs of horse, men...