Kilcrease Light Artillery

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The Kilcrease Light Artillery was a Confederate army artillery company.

Confederate States Army Army of the Confederate States

The Confederate States Army (C.S.A.) was the military land force of the Confederate States of America (Confederacy) during the American Civil War (1861–1865), fighting against the United States forces. On February 28, 1861, the Provisional Confederate Congress established a provisional volunteer army and gave control over military operations and authority for mustering state forces and volunteers to the newly chosen Confederate president, Jefferson Davis. Davis was a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, and colonel of a volunteer regiment during the Mexican–American War. He had also been a United States Senator from Mississippi and U.S. Secretary of War under President Franklin Pierce. On March 1, 1861, on behalf of the Confederate government, Davis assumed control of the military situation at Charleston, South Carolina, where South Carolina state militia besieged Fort Sumter in Charleston harbor, held by a small U.S. Army garrison. By March 1861, the Provisional Confederate Congress expanded the provisional forces and established a more permanent Confederate States Army.

Artillery class of weapons which fires munitions beyond the range and power of personal weapons

Artillery is a class of heavy military weapons built to fire munitions far beyond the range and power of infantry's small arms. Early artillery development focused on the ability to breach defensive walls, and fortifications during sieges, and led to heavy, fairly immobile siege engines. As technology improved, lighter, more mobile field artillery cannons developed for battlefield use. This development continues today; modern self-propelled artillery vehicles are highly mobile weapons of great versatility providing the large share of an army's total firepower.

Company (military unit) military unit size

A company is a military unit, typically consisting of 80–150 soldiers and usually commanded by a major or a captain. Most companies are formed of three to six platoons, although the exact number may vary by country, unit type, and structure.

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Headed by Captain Patrick Houston and Captain Frederick L. Villepigue, it was formed in Leon County, Florida in the spring of 1863 upon the dividing of the Leon Light Artillery. The Kilcrease company was assigned to the Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, and served at St. Johns Island, South Carolina as well as in the Battle of Natural Bridge. The Kilcrease company was also stationed in various locations in Florida. The company was included in the surrender at Tallahassee, Florida, on May 10, 1865. [1] [2]

Patrick Houston was a state senator and military man from Leon County, Florida, United States.

Frederick L. Villepigue (1826–?) served as Secretary of State of Florida from July 1, 1853 to January 13, 1863.

Leon County, Florida County in Florida, United States

Leon County is a county located in the Panhandle of the U.S. state of Florida. It was named after the Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León. As of 2017 Census estimates, the population was 290,292.

Villepigue had been a first lieutenant with the Leon Light Artillery and was promoted to captain of the Kilcrease company on May 26, 1863. He served with the Kilcrease Light Artillery until November 22, 1864, when he resigned his commission to become Secretary of the Confederate Senate.

Officer (armed forces) member of an armed force or uniformed service who holds a position of authority

An officer is a member of an armed forces or uniformed service who holds a position of authority.

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References

  1. ↑ Research Online, Unit 35
  2. ↑ Florida State University Archived 2008-05-16 at the Wayback Machine .
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