African American Artillery

The First Alabama Siege Artillery made up of African American was raised in Tennessee and Mississippi and was mustered into service June 20^th 1863.

The First Siege Artillery a regiment made up of men of African American descent was raised in Corinth, Mississippi, LaFayette, LaGrange and Memphis, Tennessee.  They were mustered into Union service on June 20^th 1863.  The regiment renamed on March 11^th 1864 as the 6^th United States Colored Heavy Artillery.  They were placed under the command of Major Lionel F Booth on March 18^th 1864.

The 6^th were sent to Fort Pillow.  The fort was attacked on April 12^th 1864 by about 3,000 Confederate troops.  Booth was shot by a sniper and killed early in the fighting.  Command of the 6^th fell to Captain Charles Epeneter who was also wounded.  The 6^th’s guns weren’t effective as the Confederates stormed the fort as the guns couldn’t be depressed enough to fire on them.

Following the Battle of Fort Pillow, those members of the 6^th who survived were moved into the 11^th United States Colored Troops.

For more information look at 1st Alabama Siege Artillery (African Descent)