Graham's Virginia Battery,
1st Rockbridge Artillery, CSA

When the call to arms sounded in 1861, John McCausland immediately offered his services to the State of Virginia, but not the Confederacy. His first assignment was to organize a battery of artillery composed of volunteers from Rockbridge County, which gained fame as the Rockbridge Artillery.

McCausland drilled this unit until it was ready for service and was given the rank of Captain by Governor John Letcher. McCausland declined the position but persuaded a young Episcopal minister, Reverend Doctor William N. Pendleton, a graduate of the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) to accept the position and through out the war became more trusted by Gen Robert E. Lee, as his Chief of Artillery.

When the Rockbridge Artillery was commissioned, four "cadet" six-pounders (slightly lighter than the regulation M1841 6 pounder and mounted on smaller carriages) were given to the Rockbridge Artillery by the Virginia Military Institute. These cannons were christened at VMI as the "4 Apostles - Matthew, Mark, Luke and John" "because they spoke a powerful language". Pendleton had worked with these same cannons while a cadet at the school and felt it was a "good sign from God".

The Rockbridge Artillery fired the first cannon shots in the Shenandoah Valley at Hainesville on July 2nd, 1861 and shed their first blood in the Confederate victory at Bull Run (Manassas). At this same time, the 2nd Rockbridge Artillery (also known as the Fairfield Battery) was formed and was first blooded in the successful defense of Alleghany Mountain.

Under Gen "Stonewall" Jackson they endured the Bath-Romney campaign during January 1862. In the Valley campaign they fought with honour and distinction at Kernstown, Winchester and Port Republic. The "Stonewall" Battery earned more honours at Malvern Hill, Cedar Mountain, Second Manassas, Harper's Ferry, Sharpsburg and Fredericksburg.

In May 1863, the 1st Rockbridge defended the heights of Fredricksburg during the Chancellorsville campaign, while the 2nd Rockbridge marched with General Jackson on his famous flank attack and helped drive Hooker's army back across the Rappahannock.

In July 1863, the 1st Rockbridge bombarded Union lines on Culp's Hill at Gettysburg, PA as the 2nd Rockbridge commenced their barrage on July 1, 1863, with the first cannon fire and was engaged through out the battle. Three months later, the 2nd Rockbridge lost all their cannons in a heroic stand at Bristoe Station in October, 1863. In November 1863, the 2nd Rockbridge was rearmed and repelled Meade's army at Mine Run, again joined with the 1st Rockbridge.

In 1864 both 1st and 2nd Rockbridge served with valor in the Wilderness and aided General Robert E. Lee in stopping Grant's advance on Spotsylvania Court House and Cold Harbor. During the defense of Richmond, the 1st Rockbridge continued bombarding the Federal army that was attacking Richmond. In the process 1st Rockbridge lost her guns at Deep Bottom. This also included the famed "4 Apostles". Rearmed, the 1st Rockbridge continued to man defenses of Richmond until April, 1865. On a retreat to Appomattox Court House the 1st Rockbridge made one last heroic stand at Cumberland Church.

While 1st Rockbridge was defending Richmond, the 2nd Rockbridge was helping Lee's army defend Petersburg until they were overrun in the gallant struggles at Fort Virginia on April 2nd, 1865.

On April 9th, 1865, 1st Rockbridge Artillery, Captain Archibald Graham, surrendered 101 officers and men. 2nd Rockbridge Artillery, Lieutenant William T. Wilson, surrendered 28 men.

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