Connecticut 2nd Regiment Heavy Artillery

HISTORICAL NOTES: The 2nd Connecticut Heavy Artillery Regiment was originally raised as the 19th Connecticut Infantry. It was mustered in on July 25, 1862. L.W. Wessells was colonel and Elisha S. Kellogg lieutenant colonel. It was sent to Washington, D.C. a few weeks later. In September, Wessells resigned due to ill health and Kellogg was promoted to colonel in his place. The regiment was reorganized as a heavy artillery regiment on November 23, 1863, although it fought as infantry throughout the war.

In May 1864, the 2nd was sent to the Army of the Potomac, where it was assigned to the Second Brigade, First Division, VI Corps. It suffered its first loss during skirmish duty along the North Anna River. The 2nd Connecticut's first battle was at Cold Harbor on June 1, 1864, where it suffered 323 men killed or wounded, including Kellogg dead with two bullets to the head. It managed to capture 300 prisoners and it briefly reached the Confederate breastworks, but Confederate fire was too heavy for the regiment to maintain its position. Major James Hubbard declined promotion to command of the regiment, so Ranald S. Mackenzie was transferred from the engineers to take command. The regiment participated in the beginning stages of the Siege of Petersburg.

The 2nd was transferred to the VI Corps to participate in the 1864 Shenandoah Campaign, during which it suffered heavy losses. In December, the regiment was sent back to the Army of the Potomac. Mackenzie was promoted to brigadier general on December 28, and Hubbard was promoted to colonel a week later. It fought in the breakthrough at Petersburg and the Appomattox Campaign. After the surrender at Appomattox Court House, the 2nd was sent to North Carolina to assist Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman in forcing the surrender of the Army of Tennessee. In May, the remaining members of the 14th Connecticut Infantry Regiment were assigned to the regiment. After participating in the Grand Review, the regiment garrisoned several forts around Washington. The 2nd Connecticut Heavy Artillery was mustered out on September 5, 1865, with only 183 original men who served with the 19th Connecticut remaining.

The Regiment lost during service 12 Officers and 242 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 2 Officers and 171 Enlisted men by disease. Total 427. OFFICERS:

Colonel Elisha S. Kellogg (killed at Cold Harbor)

ASSIGNMENTS: As the Connecticut 19th Infantry Regiment: Attached to Slough's Brigade, District of Alexandria, Defenses of Washington, to January, 1863. Tyler's Command, Artillery, District of Alexandria, Military District of Washington, and 22nd Army Corps, Dept. of Washington, to April, 1863. 2nd Brigade, DeRussy's Division, 22nd Army Corps, to November, 1863. As the Connecticut 2nd Artillery Regiment: Attached to 2nd Brigade, DeRussy's Division, 22nd Army Corps, Dept. of Washington, to February, 1864. 4th Brigade, DeRussy's Division, 22nd Army Corps, to May, 1864. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 6th Army Corps, Army Potomac, and Army Shenandoah, Middle Military Division, to June, 1865. 2nd Brigade, DeRussy's Division, 22nd Army Corps, Dept. of Washington, to August, 1865. SERVICE: As the Connecticut 19th Infantry Regiment: Guard and patrol duty at Alexandria, Va., till January 12, 1863. Garrison duty at Fort Worth till May, and at redoubts near Fort Lyon till November. (Cos. "B," "F," and "G" at Fort Ellsworth.) Designation of Regiment changed to 2nd Connecticut Heavy Artillery November 23, 1863. As the Connecticut 2nd Artillery Regiment: Garrison duty at Forts Worth, Williams and Ellsworth, defences of Washington, D. C. South of the Potomac till May, 1864. Ordered to join Army of the Potomac in the field May 17. Moved to Spottsylvania C. H. May 17-19. Spottsylvania C. H. May 19-21. North Anna River May 23-26. On line of the Pamunkey May 26-28. Totopotomoy May 28-31. Hanover C. H. May 29. Cold Harbor May 31-June 12. Before Petersburg June 18-July 10. Jerusalem Plank Road June 22-23. Moved to Washington, D. C., July 10-12. Repulse of Early's attack on Washington July 12. Sheridan's Shenandoah Valley Campaign August to December. Battle of Opequan, Winchester, September 19. Fisher's Hill September 22. New Market September 23-24. Woodstock September 25. Battle of Cedar Creek October 19. Duty at Winchester and in the valley till December. Moved to Petersburg, Va., December 1-5. Siege of Petersburg December 5, 1864, to April 2, 1865. Dabney's Mills, Hatcher's Run Feb. 5-7, 1865. Appomattox Campaign March 28-April 9. Assault on and fall of Petersburg April 2. Pursuit of Lee April 3-9. Sailor's Creek April 6. Appomattox C. H. April 9. Surrender of Lee and his army. At Farmville and Burkesville till April 23. March to Danville April 23-27 and duty there till May 24. March to Richmond, thence to Washington, D. C., May 24-June 3. Corps review June 8. Duty at Washington till August. Mustered out August 18, 1865. BATTLES:

Battle of Cold Harbor

Battle of Opequon

Battle of Fisher's Hill

Battle of Cedar Creek

Battle of Petersburg III

Battle of Sailor's Creek

Battle of Hatcher's Run

ROSTERS:

The roster of this regiment contains the names of 4178 men.

Company A - Litchfield

Company B - Salisbury

Company C - Goshen

Company D - Plymouth

Company E - Winsted

Company F - New Hartford

Company G - Cornwall

Company H - New Milford

Company I - Woodbury

Company K - Made up from recruits from 25 different towns

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

REFERENCES:
Dyer, Frederick H. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion