Bankhead's Battery

Company B, 1st Tennessee,
Light Artillery Regiment
Civil War Living History Unit

Who Are We?

We are Bankhead’s Battery, Company B, 1st Tennessee, Light Artillery Regiment, Civil War living history unit.

Bankhead’s Battery is an experienced, dedicated group of men and women artillerists actively portraying those honored soldiers who fought and sacrificed in the War for Southern Independence (commonly called the Civil War). The Battery participates in many anniversary battles and living histories and works closely with other re-enacting groups. The Battery specializes in the safe, authentic operation of nineteenth century artillery field pieces and all of the officers have between 5 and 15 years experience each. The Battery drills at all events prior to the battle. A new member can start for less than $125.00 for a basic uniform and equipment. Please ask about appropriate uniform preferences before purchasing. Bankhead’s Battery encourages family participation and welcomes members of all ages and abilities!

Bankhead’s Battery is a Tennessee not-for-profit corporation, qualified under federal laws to receive tax deductible donations.

Bankhead's Battery was re-formed in 1972, again in Memphis, in honor of its namesake and his gallant Tennesseans. Our gun crews specialize in the use of our two smoothbore 6 pounder field cannons, the showpiece being an 1861 Noble Brothers 6 pounder founded in Rome, Georgia, and rescued from the ignominy of a discarded and rusty death by Division Commander Tarry Beasley, also a Memphis attorney. The Noble Brothers is fully restored and still delivers a throaty Confederate Welcome at both live shoots and at re-enactments of the War of Northern Aggression.

Bankhead's Battery is very active, participates in numerous re-enactment events annually, and was involved in filming the television special "The Mississippians", the remake of the Shiloh National Battlefield visitor center video "Shiloh: Fiery Trial" (2011), as well as the motion pictures "The North and The South, Part II" and "Glory." The objectives of Bankhead's Battery are:

  1. To further understanding of the War between the States and the principles on which it was fought;
  2. To honor our forefathers who honorably served the Confederacy and stood to protect their homelands;
  3. To actively and authentically demonstrate the skills of the Artillery of the 1861-1865 period;
  4. To actively participate in historical reenactments of the War between the States for the benefit of the public;
  5. For the fellowship benefits derived by members of the Battery in the foregoing activities.

Membership

Bankhead’s Battery annual meeting is held in February each year. Members are not required to attend but are encouraged, especially to pay dues and gain details on the upcoming year’s events. Annual dues are $30 per person for full membership and $15 per person for recruits (interested children of members).

Bankhead’s Battery is comprised of an eclectic and diverse group of individuals. Many of our group are members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, some are also members of the Sons of Union Veterans, and some are not affiliated with either group but who nevertheless appreciate re-enacting the military life and struggle of these gallant soldiers. It is apparent that each member has his or her own set of priorities, preferences, and schedules. This is a wholly volunteer group, and while we re-enact military history and adopt a military group structure, we remain individuals who do not react well to being “ordered”. With this in mind, as a group portraying the men and circumstances of the War for Southern Independence, it is deemed both appropriate and important that we exhibit military bearing and demeanor, particularly when we operate the guns. This military bearing and demeanor cannot be achieved without individual pride in the organization and in ourselves. All members are encouraged to conduct themselves with respect to others and the intentions within re-enacting.

Requirements

Please consult Battery members for uniform and sutler recommendations. Items not listed are subject to approval.
Minimum Uniform Requirements:

  • Jacket: Common shell jacket in 12oz. or heavier wool. Colors– Confederate Gray, Tuscaloosa Gray, or Cadet Gray. Red trim on collars and cuffs and brass buttons.
  • Trousers: 12oz. or heavier wool in Federal Sky Blue or grays listed above. Foot or mounted pattern without beltloops or pocket flaps. No patterned or check design allowed. Red trim for officers only.
  • Shirt: Issue pattern “Jefferson” style, civilian pattern, “Henley” style, or battle shirt. These are all mostly pullover in white or natural color cotton with 4-8 buttons and are long sleeved.
  • Cap: Bankhead’s style forage or kepi in wool. Red on top with gray band. Or black slouch in wool with red hat cord.
  • Footwear: Brogans or Half-calf artillery boots/knee length cavalry boots, black.

A pre-approved Bankhead's Battery uniform can be purchased from Milk Creek Mercantile.

Please arrive early to all events to help unload the cannon and set up camp. Most events require at least 6 members to a gun so members are encouraged to attend as many events as they are able. All members wishing to work the gun during an event are required to drill prior to the battle. Operation of the gun is a serious task and should be respected. Any member not taking their duties seriously will be pulled from the gun. Operating a cannon can be a very safe activity if everyone does their part. Remember, you are responsible for the safety of every member just as they are responsible for yours!

At some events the Battery will “galvanize”, meaning that we portray a Union Battery. Bankhead’s mainly portrays a Confederate Battery and a Union uniform is not required for membership. Additional items you may wish to purchase include a tent, leather goods, canteen, haversack, bedroll, camp chair, and other small authentic personal items. Most members camp at the events but it is not required. Event registration and payment will often be made by the Battery Adjutant. It is your responsibility to make sure you pre-pay or re-pay your fees. Event fees range from free to $20.

The History of Bankhead's Battery

In April of 1861, although Tennessee had not seceded from the Union, Governor Isham Harris was already calling for an Army to defend the state. His friend Gideon Pillow was made the commander of the Tennessee State Army and set out recruiting. Smith P. Bankhead, a 37-year-old Memphis lawyer, began forming an artillery company on May 13, 1861. This unit was intended to become battery B of the 1st Tennessee Artillery Corps, but will become known as Bankhead's Battery. Joining him that day was his lawyer friends W.Y.C. Humes, age 30, and J. C. McDavitt, age 27. Humes was made 1st Lieutenant and McDavitt, 2nd Lieutenant.

Two days later on May 15, 1861, a young 20-year-old lawyer William B. Greenlaw joined Bankhead as 2nd Lieutenant. He was from a prominent Memphis family and his father had influence. The first two privates were also recruited that day. They were W. J. Harrison and Michael Nason. Fifty-two additional men were recruited throughout the month of May.

On June 4, 1861, Tennessee seceded from the Union and William L. Scott, a 27 year old lawyer from Memphis, joined Bankhead's Battery as a 2nd Lieutenant. These officers and the 54 men made up the nucleus of the Battery and moved to Fort Pillow for artillery training although they had no cannon of their own.

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The Civil War Battery

During the Civil War, artillery batteries often consisted of six field pieces for the Union Army and four for the Confederate States Army. Batteries were divided into sections of two guns apiece, each section normally under the command of a lieutenant. The full battery was typically commanded by a captain. As the war progressed individual batteries were often grouped into battalions under a major or colonel of artillery.

Civil War artillery included the use of the 6-pounder Gun, M1857 12-pounder “Napoleon”, 12-pounder Howitzer, 12-pounder Mountain Howitzer, 24– pounder Howitzer, 10-pounder Parrott rifle, 3-inch Ordance rifle, 14-pounder James Rifle, 20-pounder Parrott rifle, and the 12-pounder Whitworth breechloading rifle.

There were two general types of artillery weapons used during the Civil War: smoothbores (included howitzers and guns) and rifles.

Ammunition came in wide varieties, designed to attack specific targets. A typical Union artillery battery (armed with six 12-pounder Napoleons) carried the following ammunition going into battle: 288 shot, 96 shells, 288 spherical cases, and 96 canisters.

  • Shot (or bolt) was a solid projectile that had no explosive charge.
  • Shells included an explosive charge and were designed to burst into fragments in the midst of enemy infantry or artillery.
  • Case (or shrapnel) were anti-personnel projectiles carrying a smaller burst charge than shell; more effective against exposed troops.
  • Canister shot was the deadliest type of ammunition, consisting of a thin metal container loaded with layers of lead or iron balls packed in sawdust.
  • Grapeshot was the predecessor of, and a variation on, canister, in which a smaller number of larger metal balls were arranged on stacked iron plates with a threaded bolt running down the center to hold them as a unit inside the barrel.

Horses were required to pull the enormous weight of the cannon and ammunition; on average, each horse pulled about 700 pounds (317.5 kg). Each gun in a battery used two six-horse teams: one team pulled a limber that towed the gun, the other pulled a limber that towed a caisson. The limber was a two-wheeled carriage that carried an ammunition chest. It was connected directly behind the team of six horses and towed either a gun or a caisson. The combination of a Napoleon gun and a packed limber weighed 3,865 pounds (1,753.1 kg). The caisson was also a two-wheeled carriage. It carried two ammunition chests and a spare wheel. A fully loaded limber and caisson combination weighed 3,811 pounds (1728.6 kg). The limbers, caissons, and gun carriages were all constructed of oak. Each ammunition chest typically carried about 500 pounds (226.8 kg) of ammunition or supplies. In addition to these vehicles, there were also battery supply wagons and portable forges that were used to service the guns.

Limber and Gun
Limber & Gun
Traveling Forge and Battery Wagon
Traveling Forge & Battery Wagon
Caisson and Limber
Caisson & Limber

Operation of the Gun

The chief of the piece (Sergeant) has charge of the platoon, consisting of the cannoneers, drivers, and corporals (gunner and chief of the caisson). The equipment in his charge is one piece (the gun), two limbers, one caisson, and thirteen horses. He oversees the operation of the platoon and insures the gunner gives the proper range and direction during firing, that proper ammunition is readily available, and horses are properly stationed. The gunner (corporal) gives all commands for the gun in action. He communicates the orders which he receives from the chief of the piece for the kind of ammunition to be fired.

Detail Commands: Non-Detail Commands: Misfire Commands:
Load by detail
Load
Sponge
Ram
Ready
Fire
Cease Firing
Load
Ready
Fire
Cease Firing
Do no advance the primer has failed
Reprime
Fire

Cannoneers Positions and Duties

Number 1:
Sponges the barrel clean, rams (or seats) the ammunition
Number 2:
Loads the ammunition, removes debris (using the worm) from the barrel after each fire
Number 3:
Clears the vent after each fire, covers vent to prevent accidental fire, pricks the gun powder
Number 4:
Inserts primer into vent, fires gun
Number 5:
Delivers ammunition to No. 2
Number 6:
Issues ammunition to No. 5
Number 7:
Assists No. 6 and may alternate with No. 5
Gunner:
Commands the gun
gun crew positions

Contact Bankhead's Battery

For more information or to join please contact:

Bankhead's Battery
Memphis, TN
bankheadsbattery@gmail.com