Troup Light Artillery

Organized in 1858 as the National Artillery, this unit was renamed the Troup Light Artillery in honor of former Georgia governor George W. Troup and became part of Cobb’s Legion when the war began. During the Maryland Campaign, the battery had two ten-pound Parrott rifles and two smoothbore bronze howitzers, a twelve-pounder called “Jennie” and a six-pounder named the “Sallie Craig.” As part of Major General Lafayette McLaws’ Division in Lee’s plan to capture Harpers Ferry, Cobb’s Legion marched to Elk Ridge on the Maryland side of the Potomac. The two long-range rifled pieces were manhandled to the heights above Harpers Ferry, while the two shorter-range bronze guns under Lieutenant Henry Jennings remained at the foot of Maryland Heights. Toward evening, as Jennings settled into bivouac, orders arrived directing them to make all speed for Crampton’s Gap. Reaching the gap just as Federal forces were coming up, Jennings deployed his guns at the intersection, with the Jennie aimed down the road to the left and the Sallie Craig covering the road on the right. Both guns fired canister at the approaching Federals, getting off five rounds at troops less than 50 yards away, and Jennings then hastily withdrew his guns, leaving several dead or wounded crewmen behind. The Jennie could not be saved because its carriage, damaged by Federal infantry fire, broke in two during the withdrawal. Colonel Joseph Bartlett later praised the skill and bravery with which Jennings’ section retired under fire.

Maryland · United States