Purcell's Battery Descendants Association

Descendants Association

Participated in the Breakthrough Battle at Petersburg on April 2, 1865

Fought on or near the present day grounds of Pamplin Historical Park

The Purcell Artillery, a light artillery company, was established on April 20, 1861 in Richmond, Virginia largely through the efforts of Daniel Hagerty. The battery was named for John Purcell, a wealthy Richmond merchant who financed much of its equipment. The first Captain was Reuben Lindsay Walker, a class of 1845 graduate of Virginia Military Institute. In civilian life Walker was a Civil Engineer and a planter. Daniel Hagerty was elected First Lieutenant in the newly formed battery. Elected as Second Lieutenant was William Ransom Johnson Pegram who had been detailed to the battery as a drillmaster. Lieutenant Pegram would later become the commander of Purcell's Battery and considered to be one of the Confederacy's most distinguished artillerists.

Purcell's Battery served with distinction in the Army of the Northerm Virginia throughout the war and fought in numerous battles and skirmishes. Willie Pegram, who had by then become a colonel, was mortally wounded on April 1, 1865 at the Battle of Five Forks. Later that month, when Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox Courthouse, Purcell's Battery was not among the Confederate soldiers paroled. It is presumed that it reached Lynchburg, Virginia and there cut down its carriages, buried its guns, and disbanded.

The Richmond Daily Dispatch: July 24, 1862

Purcell Battery --This splendid artillery corps left its encampment at the Fair Grounds, near this city, yesterday, and took up its line of march for the army. It initiated the recent actions before Richmond, and out of 90 members carried into action, brought out 30 alive and unwounded. They have been recruiting for several weeks past. They have now, as formerly, splendid guns, and are prepared again to do good service.

If you are a descendant or family member of a soldier of the Purcell Battery who served honorably at any time during the war and would like to be listed on the Descendants Roll Call, please send an e-mail by clicking the icon below. Please Type "Purcell Battery" in the subject line and provide details in the message.

Purcell Battery

Soldier's Notes

Purcell Battery

Descendants Roll Call

Important Links

Two Brothers: One North, One South

by David H. Jones

The Final Battles of the Petersburg

Campaign by A. Wilson Greene

Pamplin Historical Park & National

Museum of the Civil War Soldier

The Association of Citizen Historians

of the United States

Telling Their Story ... A Young Man

Embraces His Confederate Heritage

Ordering Service & Pension Records

National Archives