The Jeff Davis artillery was originally formed in Selma, AL in June of 1861. It’s members came mostly from Dallas and surrounding counties. It joined the Army of Northern Virginia in September of 1861 and fought in most of the army’s major engagements including Seven Pines, Antietam, Fredericksburg, the Wilderness, and Gettysburg. The unit’s last conflict as a unit, occurred at Spottsylvania where three guns were lost and over half of the command was captured. The remaining members served with a battery in Carter’s artillery regiment until the end of the war. In 1989 the Jeff Davis Artillery was re-activated by James H. Hammonds as a non-profit organization.
The group was formed to educate and entertain the public on the role of artillery in the Civil War. The group participates in battle reenactments, living history encampments, and memorial ceremonies. Other goals of the Jeff Davis Artillery are:
The impression that we strive to portray is that of a artilley unit serving in the Western Theatre from late 1863 to the end of the war.
The battery owns two 12lb. Field Howitzers, one 10lb. Parrott, and two limbers. The J.D.A. also has permission to use a 3” ordinance rifle and an original 6lb. Brooke, which was made in Selma. The unit has members from many areas of Alabama most are concentrated in Selma, AL or around the Birmingham, AL area.
The JDA tries to participate in as many reenactments each year as possible. Most of these take place all over the Southeast and we go to some in the North as well. All members are encouraged to participate in as many reenactments as possible, but there is no minimum number of events that a member must attend. Members enjoy recreating both battle scenes and camp life. Many evenings are spent around the campfire listening and telling stories and sometimes singing.
The battery maintains membership in statewide and regional associations of reenactors such as The Alabama Division of Reenactors, The First Confederate Legion, and The Army of Tennessee of The North/South Alliance.
