Brief History of the Battalion

The 10th Battalion Virginia Heavy Artillery was formally organized at Richmond on April 4, 1862, with five companies under the command of Major William Allen that had previously served at Jamestown Island. After Allen resigned in August 1862, command of the battalion fell to Major James O. Hensely. The unit served in the Department of Richmond, where it served alongside the 19th Battalion Virginia Heavy Artillery under the unified command of Lieutenant Colonel John Wilder Atkinson. In addition to manning the heavy artillery guns, the over 500 man battalion was also trained as infantry and armed with muskets. It was lightly engaged on several occasions when Federal raiders approached Richmond. It was involved in the Richmond defenses at Brook’s Turnpike and at Drewry’s Bluff. In 1865 the battalion was transferred as infantry to the Army of Northern Virginia as part of the Artillery Brigade commanded by Col. Stapleton Crutchfield. The unit took part in the Appomattox Campaign, suffered significant casualties at Sailor’s Creek, and surrendered at Appomattox with 103 officers and men.

Battalion Organization at Sailor’s Creek

The following is based on a comprehensive review of the compiled service records of the battalion’s officers and review of primary sources. The whereabouts of several officers at the time of Sailor’s Creek could not be verified, as there was no record of them being killed, captured, or absent, but they did not surrender at Appomattox. It is possible they were separated from the unit during the retreat or were otherwise absent.

Field and Staff
Major James O. Hensley: status unclear
Adjutant 1st LT Samuel Wilson: wounded and captured at Sailor’s Creek
SGT Major James S. Mill: captured at Sailor’s Creek
Acting AQM 1st LT Robert T. Aunspaugh (Co B.): status unclear
QM SGT James H. Hargrave: status unclear
Ordnance SGT Arthur S. Johns: status unclear

Co. A AKA Metropolitan Guards (Color Company)
Organized from Richmond
Cap. Joseph W. Barlow: killed at Sailor’s Creek
1st LT William L. Satterwhite: status unclear
2nd LT Michael G. Whitman: status unclear
3rd LT Thomas Russell: Deserted 30 Mar 1865

Co. B
Organized from Bedford County
Cap. Robert B. Claytor: captured
1st LT Robert T. Aunspaugh: acting AQM, status unclear
2nd LT Samuel Crawford: surrendered at Appomattox
3rd LT Leslie C. Talbot: captured at Sailor’s Creek

Co. C AKA Allen Artillery
Organized from Richmond
Cap. Thomas P. Wilkinson: captured at Sailor’s Creek
1st LT John W. Turner: captured at Sailor’s Creek
2nd LT John R. Winder: likely separated during retreat
3rd LT William B. G. Andrews: captured at Sailor’s Creek

Co. D AKA Jamestown Heavy Artillery AKA Brandon Light Artillery AKA Surry Heavy Artillery
Organized from Surry and Prince George Counties
Cap. Charles Shirley Harrison: captured at Sailor’s Creek
1st LT Joseph M. Green: separated during retreat
2nd LT James E. Gray: surrendered at Appomattox
3rd LT Aurelius P. Bohannon: captured at Sailor’s Creek

Co. E
Organized from Henrico County
Cap. Thomas B. Blake: wounded and captured at Sailor’s Creek
1st LT Robert E. Binford: separated during retreat
2nd LT John Armistead Allen: likely captured during fall of Richmond
3rd LT Gustavus Gary: surrendered at Appomattox