The Formation of the 43rd and 1st
On April 13, 1861, James Brady, who was promninet citizen of Philadelphia, called for the formation of a new light artillery regiment. In only three days 1300 men were mustered. Acceptance of the regiment was up to Major General George Patterson who denied it because he felt it lacked "militia organization". While the creation of the 43rd was debated, men who were eager to see immediate action, left and joined other until only 500 remained. The regiment finally became legitimate at the same time when Pennsylvania governor Andrew Curtin signed a law that would muster a reserve corps to protect Pennsylvania in case of an invasion, which made the 43rd at the disposal of both state and federal government (hence why its known as both the 43rd and 1st). Lieutenant Colonel Charles T. Campbell was selected as its temporary leader. With only 500 men, the regiment was only made up of four batteries and so more had to be recruited from Franklin, Potter, York, Lawrence, and Luzerne counties to make the 43rd eight batteries strong. By August 1861, the 43rd was ordered to Washington and set up positions at camp Barry, east of the capitol. At this point, oddly, the regiment was divided: Batteries A, B, E, and G were left under Lieutenant Colonel Campbell while batteries C, D, F, and H were sent to other divisions never to be reunited. Though the regiment would spend the entire war as a part of the Army of the Potomac subsequently under the leadership of Generals McDowell, Pope, McClellan, Burnside, Hooker, and finally Meade.
Battery A
April 12: Battle of Fort Sumter Oct: Camped at Pierpont, VA
and start of Civil War
Jan 1, 1861------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Dec 31, 1861
June 20: mustered in Philadelphia Dec 20: Battle of Dranesville.
Battery B
April 12: Battle of Fort Sumter August 14: Camped at Tenallytown,
and start of Civil War MD
Jan 1, 1861-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Dec 31, 1861
June 20: mustered in Philadelphia Dec: Camped at Great Falls, MD
Battery C
April 12: Battle of Fort Sumter Aug 5: Ordered to defend Washington
and start of Civil War at Camp Barry until March of 62
Jan 1, 1861-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Dec 31, 1861
June 20: mustered in Philadelphia
Battery D
April 12: Battle of Fort Sumter Aug: Ordered to defend Washington
and start of Civil War at Camp Barry until March of 62
Jan 1, 1861-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Dec 31, 1861
June 20: mustered in Philadelphia
Battery E
April 12: Battle of Fort Sumter Aug: Remained at Camp Curtain in Harrisburg,
and start of Civil War PA
Jan 1, 1861-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Dec 31, 1861
June 20: mustered in Philadelphia
Battery F
April 12: Battle of Fort Sumter Aug: Ordered to Washington
and start of Civil War
Jan 1, 1861-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Dec 31, 1861
June 20: mustered in Philadelphia Oct 5: Stationed at Edward's Ferry
on the upper Potomac
Battery G
April 12: Battle of Fort Sumter Aug 5: Ordered to defend Washington
and start of Civil War at Camp Barry
Jan 1, 1861-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Dec 31, 1861
June 20: mustered in Philadelphia Oct: Moved to Camp Pierpont, VA
Battery H
April 12: Battle of Fort Sumter Aug 5: Ordered to defend Washington
and start of civil War at Camp Barry until March 62
Jan 1, 1861-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Dec 31, 1861
June 20: mustered in Philadelphia
