EIGHTH BATTERY LIGHT ARTILLERY MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER MILITIA (Cook's Battery)

SIX MONTHS The 8th Batty. Lt. Arty. Mass. Vol. Mil. was organized in response to the call of the President on May 26, 1862, for all the active militia of Massachusetts. Great alarm had been caused by the defeat of Banks in the Shenandoah, and Washington was thought to be in danger of capture. On the day following this call Capt. Asa M. Cook, who had commanded the 1st Batty. Lt. Arty. Mass. Vol. Mil. in its three months service, was authorized by Special Order No. 102, A. G. O. Mass., to raise a battery of artillery for six months service. In three days 40 men had been enrolled and mustered in and were sent to Camp Cameron in North Cambridge. Here the battery was rapidly recruited up to its full complement of officers and men, and on the 25th of June, under command of Captain Cook, it set out for Washington. In a railroad accident a short distance below Trenton, N. J., two men and thirteen horses were killed, a number of men and horses injured, and much of the battery equipment lost. Reaching Washington, June 27, on July 1 it crossed Long Bridge and went into camp near Fairfax Seminary. Here it was drilled until August 8 when it was ordered to join the 9th Corps. In pursuance of this order it moved to Fredericksburg, arriving August 11, then proceeded with its corps to reinforce General Pope's army near Culpepper, Va. It was active throughout the entire Bull Run campaign, being engaged at 2d Bull Run, August 30, and at Chantilly, September 1, but without loss. On September 5, it marched to Washington where it received new limbers, caissons, and ammunition in preparation for the Maryland campaign. Attached to Wilcox's Division, Reno's (9th) Corps it proceeded through Leesboro, Frederick City, and Middletown, Md., to South Mountain where it was severely engaged September 14 near Fox's Gap on the Union left losing one man killed and four wounded. On September 17, at Antietam it was engaged near the Burnside Bridge. Here it crossed Antietam Creek with its division and was engaged on the Otto farm, holding its position on the west side of the creek at the close of the day of battle. It then remained in camp near the mouth of Antietam Creek until October 5 when it was ordered to Washington to secure new long range guns. Being unsuccessful in this, on October 21, it set out to join the Army of the Potomac in Pleasant Valley. On this march a detachment from the 8th Battery under Lieutenants Coffin and Kirk succeeded in capturing several members of Stuart's cavalry which was engaged in a foray around the Union army. Accompanying the Army of the Potomac in its advance into Virginia as far as Waterloo, about the middle of November it returned to Washington. Here on November 29, having completed its term of service, it was mustered out and returned to Massachusetts. N.B. This organization is frequently referred to as the 8th Battery Mass. Light Artillery (6 mos.). Source: Massachusetts Soldiers, Sailors & Marines in the Civil War Antietam after battle report: Reports of Capt. Asa M. Cook, Eighth Massachusetts Battery, of the battles of South Mountain and Antietam. HEADQUARTERS EIGHTH MASSACHUSETTS BATTERY, Mouth of Antietam Creek, Md., September 21, 1862. SIR: I have the honor to report as follows concerning the operations of my command in the battle of South Mountain September 14: Having proceeded with the rest of the division from camp near Middletown to the foot of South Mountain on the morning of September 14, the Eighth Massachusetts Battery was ordered to take up a position in the extreme advance on the left of the army. The command proceeded up the road to a point about 400 yards from the summit of the mountain, where, at about 12 o'clock m., two pieces were brought into battery and commenced firing on a battery of the enemy on an elevation about a mile to the right. After firing about four rounds one of the pieces became disabled, and was withdrawn. While another piece was coming forward to replace it, the enemy opened a very heavy fire of canister upon us from a masked battery of 12-pounders, about 150 yards off, on our flank. The column of caissons and the disabled piece were ordered to the rear, when the enemy's fire became so heavy, 1 man having been killed and 4 wounded in one section by the first discharge, that the cannoneers were directed to retire to cover. The men consequently fell back to shelter in the woods until a later hour in the day, when the enemy's attention being diverted by our infantry, firing was resumed with the two pieces before mentioned, and they were worked with good effect after night-fall. I append a list of the casualties in the command.* I have the honor to remain, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. M. COOK, Commanding Eighth Massachusetts Battery. Capt. ROBERT A. HUTCHINS, Assistant Adjutant-Gen. ----HEADQUARTERS EIGHTH MASSACHUSETTS BATTERY, Mouth of Antietam Creek, Md., September 21, 1862. SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of the Eighth Massachusetts Battery in the action near Sharpsburg, September 17, 1862. My command took up a position in the morning of that day on an eminence east of Antietam Creek, and the battery fired for and hour or more on two rebel batteries on the hills to the right and left of the village of Sharpsburg. After the object of this firing (the protection of our infantry in the passage of the bridge) was accomplished, the battery was ordered forward over the stream. While the command was halted in the road on the western bank of the creek , the enemy reopened a murderous fire of shot and shell into the ravine. The left section, under Lieut. J. N. Coffin, was ordered forward to the heights on the right, and was therefore temporarily detached from the command. The right and center section, after remaining for some time under fire, necessarily inactive, proceeded up the road on the left of the stone bridge and opened fire from the heights above. Here they were subjected to a cross-fire from the enemy's batteries in front and on both flanks. After discharging several rounds they were compelled by the approach of darkness to suspend operations. The battery still continued, however, to hold the position, and remained upon the heights throughout the night and during the next day (the 18th) until about 5 o'clock p. m., when it returned to the eastern bank of the creek, having been relieved by other troops. For the operations of the left section, I beg to refer you to the report of its commanding officer, Lieut. Coffin, which I inclose herewith. I desire to speak in terms of especial commendation of the conduct of Lieut. John N. Coffin, whose gallantry on all occasions during the day was worthy of the highest praise. I have the honor to remain, yours, very respectfully, A. M. COOK, Capt., Commanding Eighth Massachusetts Battery. Capt. ROBERT A. HUTCHINS, Assistant Adjutant-Gen. Report of Lieut. John N. Coffin, commanding left section Eighth Massachusetts Battery, of the battle of Antietam. CAMP NEAR SHARPSBURG, MD., September 21, 1862. SIR: I have the honor to report as follows concerning the movements of my section while temporarily detached from your battery during the action of September 17 near Antietam Creek: In crossing the stone bridge the battery marched left in front, bringing my section in advance. On the enemy's commencing to shell the ravine, I was ordered to take position about 200 yards in advance of the column, where I was enabled to shell the enemy on our right until they were driven from their position. I was then ordered to advance farther up the road to fire canister. Coming to a turn in the road, I ordered the section to turn to the left and take a position on an elevation about 200 yards to the right of the enemy's guns. I opened on them with canister, discharging both guns to the right, when the enemy disappeared. I then turned my guns to the left against the rebel infantry. Not deeming the position a good one, I ordered my pieces to be limbered up and take a position on a high eminence overlooking the enemy's infantry, and held this position, my guns telling with terrible effect upon the rebel lines. This position I held until my ammunition was exhausted. I then limbered to the rear and left the field for more ammunition, carrying with me one private, William H. Callinton, wounded in the knee. I wish to mention favorably especially the chiefs of the two pieces under my command, Sergts. William Davis and Newell B. Allen, who, with the rest of the non-commissioned officers and privates of the section, behaved with the greatest bravery and coolness throughout the engagement. Very respectfully, yours, JOHN N. COFFIN, Senior First Lieut. Capt. A. M. COOK, Commanding Eighth Massachusetts Battery.

Source: Official Records: Series I. Vol. 19. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 27

Massachusetts 8th Light Volunteer Artillery (Union)

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