18th Indiana Battery

On September 18, 1863, the 18th Battery, Indiana Light Artillery, with six 3-inch rifles and four mountain howitzers, served with Wilder's Brigade, Reynolds' Division, Thomas' Corps under Captain Eli Lilly, with 1st Lieutenant Joseph A. Scott, 2nd Lieutenant Moses M. Beck, and 2nd Lieutenant William B. Rippetoe. The battery marched from Pond Spring to Alexander's Bridge on the 17th. At 9:30 a.m. on the 18th, one section of mountain howitzers was sent with two regiments of the brigade to reinforce Colonel Minty near Reed's Bridge. About 12:30 p.m., the enemy appeared in front and attacked skirmishers, and the battery opened fire from this position with four guns, throwing long-range canister and shell. During the action, one of the enemy's shells fell near one of the guns, and Private Sidney A. Speed, seeing the fuse still burning, picked it up and threw it over the Alexander house nearby, where it burst harmlessly on the other side. The battery remained in this position until about 4:30 p.m., when, after Colonel Minty had been forced back from Reed's Bridge, it retired under orders to the LaFayette Road, where it bivouacked.

Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia · United States