Civil War history group formed

Carlin’s Battery will fire off cannon and present living history exhibits

By PAMELA BRUST, pbrust@newsandsentinel.com
PARKERSBURG — By order of the Wood County Commission, a Civil War living history/re-enactors group to be known as Capt. John Carlin’s Battery D of the 1st West Virginia Light Artillery or Carlin’s Battery was formed on Thursday.

“We currently have 14 on the roster for the unit, local re-enactor Jim Miracle told commissioners. Miracle appeared before the commission Thursday clad in his Civil war re-enactor’s uniform to make the request for formation of the unit.

“Over the last year, a group of area re-enactors have fired off the working replica cannon, which the county commission purchased, at special occasions, and we would just like to make the group official. We would provide educational living history exhibits and be responsible for displaying the cannon,” Miracle said.

“When we have special occasions, such as West Virginia’s birthday, we can fire the cannon in recognition. We will be going out to Volcano Days at Mountwood Park, support county functions, so we can get the cannon out so it can be seen and enjoyed by the public. We will all be trained, it will look just like a Civil War cannon crew,” Miracle said.

Miracle said the group will continue training and drilling in the proper and safe discharge of the cannon and would be responsible for transporting the cannon to and from the events. The cannon, which was purchased through donations from the county commission, the community and various groups, was manufactured by Cannon Ltd. in Coolville, Ohio, and is realistic down to the paint job.

The 10-pound Parrot cannon is mounted on a reproduction No. 1 field carriage.

“The original Carlin’s Battery unit started out in Wheeling, and were ultimately discharged from the top of the hill, that’s why we decided on that name. We wanted to take on the name of the outfit that was actually at Fort Boreman,” Miracle said.

“It’s interesting to note that the artillery unit lost 33 men who were killed and died of wounds, while 131 died of disease, accident or while in prison,” noted commission President Bob Tebay.

Miracle also requested $3,000 to purchase a gunners haversack, 1862-era uniforms for the unit and to pay for training for the volunteers in the use of the gunpowder, firing of the cannon and related safety matters.

The commissioners unanimously agreed to creation of the unit, and said they will check into any insurance liability issues regarding use of the county-owned cannon. Miracle said the group, as part of the agreement, would sign the standard waiver to relieve the county of responsibility in the event of an accident.

“We’ll check into the insurance issues,” Tebay noted.

The commissioners also agreed to provide the $3,000 out of lottery funds to pay the related expenses, as requested.

Battery D was organized in August 1862 with John Carlin as captain, Ephraim Chalfant was first lieutenant, J. Melvin Richards was second lieutenant. In August 1863 the unit was at Wheeling, then in September 1864 Capt. Carlin received orders to proceed with his command to Parkersburg and take charge of fortifications at the post, reporting to Col. Wilkinson. The unit remained here until mustered out June 27, 1865.