Veteran of American Civil War
Captain William C.F. Montgomery
Company (Battery) H
2nd Missouri Light Artillery
Union

Description of H Battery, Battle of Pilot Knob

2nd Missouri Light Artillery, Battery H, Captain William C. F. Montgomery.

Before this battle Battery H had never been in a serious battle, but were highly competent. Full complement of about 140 men, they were armed with six 3" ordnance rifles. Two of their pieces were outside the fort, the rest were inside; the two outside ordnance rifles had to be abandoned during the battle. Battery H had arrived about a week before the battle.

As it turns out, artillery raking the confederate soldiers who were attempting to storm and take the fort, were responsible for the success of the Union forces.

Battery "H", 2nd Regiment Light Artillery

Organized at St. Louis, Mo., January, 1862. Attached to District of St. Louis, Mo., Dept. Missouri, to September, 1863. Transferred to New Battery "C" September 29, 1863. Reorganized at Springfield, Mo., December 4, 1863. Attached to District of Southwest Missouri, Dept. Missouri, to June, 1865. District of the Plains, Dept. Missouri, to November, 1865.

SERVICE.--Duty in the District of St. Louis, Mo., until April, 1864. Expedition from New Madrid and skirmishes in swamps of Little River near Osceola and on Pemiscott Bayou April 5-9. Ordered to Cape Girardeau April 28. Actions at Ironton, Shutin Gap and Arcadia Valley September 26. Fort Davidson, Pilot Knob, September 26-27. Leesburg or Harrison September 28-29. March from Rolla to Jefferson City October 4-6. Defense of Jefferson City against Price's attack October 7-8. California, Booneville and Russellville October 9. Booneville October 9-12. Little Blue October 21. Big Blue, State Line, October 22. Westport October 23. Engagement at the Marmiton or Battle of Charlott October 25. Mine Creek, Little Osage River, Marias Des Cygnes, October 25. Newtonia October 28. At Franklin until June, 1865. Moved to Omaha, Neb., June 11-20. Powder River Expedition. March to Powder River and Fort Connor July 11-September 20. Actions on Powder River September 2-3. Mustered out November 20, 1865.