The 7th Massachusetts Battery (or 7th Battery Massachusetts Light Artillery) was an artillery battery that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The original core of the unit was a company of infantry known as the Richardson Light Guard. The company initially served provost duty at Fortress Monroe, was eventually trained in light artillery drill, and reorganized on March 17, 1862 as the 7th Massachusetts Battery.
The battery served in a geographically diverse variety of military departments and campaigns. In 1862 and 1863, they served in the Department of Virginia and North Carolina primarily in operations in the vicinity of Suffolk, Virginia and saw combat in several engagements there including the Battle of Deserted House. Later in 1863, the 7th Massachusetts Battery served on the Virginia Peninsula during a demonstration against Richmond, in New York City in the wake of the draft riots, and later in the defenses of Washington. In January 1864, the battery was transferred to the Department of the Gulf and took part in operations in Louisiana. Later in 1864 the battery moved to Arkansas as part of the Army of West Mississippi. In 1865, the battery took part in the Mobile Campaign and saw action during the Battle of Fort Blakely. After the Confederate surrender, the battery was deployed to Houston, Texas where they performed various details over the summer of 1865. In October, the unit began its journey back to Massachusetts and was mustered out in Boston on November 10, 1865.
Organization and early service
The Richardson Light Guard was recruited in Lowell, Massachusetts in April immediately after the Battle of Fort Sumter and the start of the war. It was mustered in for a three-year term of service on May 21, 1861 and departed Boston for Fortress Monroe, Virginia the following day. The company was originally to be attached to the 3rd Massachusetts Volunteer Militia Regiment but instead was assigned to provost duty at Fortress Monroe and remained an unattached company. It remained on this duty until December 25 when they were assigned to light artillery drill. On March 17, 1862, it was officially reorganized by the War Department as the 7th Massachusetts Battery. During the summer of 1862, the battery was stationed at Norfolk and later Yorktown, Virginia. It was transferred to Suffolk, Virginia on September 29.
Southeastern Virginia
Soon after reaching Suffolk, the 7th Massachusetts Battery was posted outside the town near the crossing of the Nansemond River until January 29, 1863. On that day, the battery became part of an expedition to the Blackwater River (which represented the boundary between the Union occupied counties of southeast Virginia and Confederate territory of the interior). Confederates opposed this Union advance on January 30 during the Battle of Deserted House in an isolated location about ten miles west of Suffolk. The 7th Massachusetts Battery was heavily engaged during this battle, suffering 13 casualties including two killed in action and two mortally wounded.
In March 1862, the battery took part in another expedition towards Franklin, Virginia, marching 46 miles in 17 hours and engaging the enemy. When Union forces at Suffolk were besieged by Confederates under the command of Major General James Longstreet, the 7th Massachusetts Battery played an active role in defending the fortifications. After Confederate forces withdrew, the battery participated in a reconnaissance-in-force again towards the Blackwater River led by Maj. Gen. Robert Foster. This movement was opposed by Confederates during the Battle of Carrsville, also known as the Battle of Holland House, on May 14 and 15, 1863 in which the 7th Massachusetts Battery was engaged.