This is the first unit of record to be stationed at Fort Taylor. The unit arrived in Key West 2 June 1858 after serving "in the field" in Florida. In a letter to Washington on 11 December 1860, Brannan wrote that it was very clear that Florida would secede from the Union. He also indicated that he had reliable information that once the "act is committed, an attempt will be made to seize upon Fort Taylor." He sought instructions from Washington if he should "endeavor at all hazards to prevent Fort Taylor being taken" or allow the state to seize the fort without Union resistance.

Nearly a month passed without an answer from Washington.

Brannan wrote another letter to Washington on 14 January 1861 that because of recent seizures of forts and arsenals in the Southern States, he was going to move his small force (44 men) into Fort Taylor to protect it until otherwise ordered by Washington. The next day he sent a letter stating that the unit successfully secured Fort Taylor. Brannan earlier had sent supplies from the Key West Barracks to Fort Taylor by ship. He marched into Fort Taylor on the night of 15 January 1861 while the southern sympathizers in Key West slept. In Brannan's latest letter, he stated that he had four months provisions and 70,000 gallons of water. He also requested garrison reinforcements. In February, Battery F, First U.S. Artillery joined Battery B at the fort. The stay of Battery F at the fort was short. After only a few weeks in garrison, the battery was ordered "in the field" in Florida. Battery D, First U.S. Artillery arrived at Fort Taylor 21 December 1861 to help man the seacoast cannon.

Toward the end of January 1861, Brannan received a letter from Washington stating that he should move to protect Fort Taylor. Battery B and Battery D remained at the fort until 18 June 1862. The Civil War service of the unit is here.

The history of Battery B dates back to the War of 1812. It was involved in the capture of Fort George, U.C. (Upper Canada) in May 1813. It also participated in the second capture of York, U.C., July 1813 and was part of an expedition of the St. Lawrence River in late 1813. Captain Ichabod B. Crane was the first commander of the battery. In 1821, an act of Congress reorganized ordnance and artillery -- creating four regiments of artillery. Captain Crane remained the battery commander until 1825 when he was promoted to major and transferred to the Fourth Artillery. From 1821 to 1826 the battery was posted at Fort Wolcott, R.I. Newly promoted Captain N.G. Dana took over command in 1825 until his death in 1833 at Fort McHenry, Md. First Lieutenant M.A. Patrick was promoted to captain and led the battery until his death at Williamsport, Md. in 1834. Between 1826 and early 1836 the battery served at Fort Monroe, Va., Fort Moultrie, S.C., Fort McHenry, Md., and Fort Severn, Md. Captain D.D. Tompkins commanded the battery during actions in the Second Seminole War in Florida in 1836. After the Florida service, Battery B was posted to New York and Maine. When war with Mexico broke out in 1845, the battery was sent "in the field" to Texas. Captain Tompkins vacated his regimental commission in 1846. He was replaced by Captain Miner Knowlton who was immediately sent on recruiting service. Command of the battery was taken over by Battery D commander Captain Justin Dimick. In the Mexican War, the battery participated in the battle of Palo Alto, Texas (under Dimick's command) in 1846. Acting command of Battery B was transferred to First Lieutenant (Brevet Captain) S.K. Dawson in 1847. Captain Knowlton was still assigned as the battery commander, but he remained on recruiting service. In mid-1847 the battery was involved in the siege of Vera Cruz; the battle of Cerro Gordo; the skirmish of La Hoya; the skirmish of Oka Lake; the battle of Contreras; the battle of Churobusco; and the march into Chapultepec. In 1848, the battery was sent to Fort Columbus, N.Y. harbor where it remained until 1849 when it was ordered "into the field" to Pilatka, Fla. The battery's Florida duty ended in 1853 when it sent to Fort Monroe, Va. While at Fort Monroe, First Lieutenant J.M. Brannan was promoted to Captain and named commander of Battery B (4 November 1854). Following a three year tour at Fort Monroe, the battery was again ordered to Florida -- this time to Fort Dallas. In 1857, the battery was "in the field" in Florida with Battery E, G and H. It was assigned to Key West Barracks 2 June 1858. The battery secured Fort Taylor 15 January 1861 and remained at the fort until 18 June 1862 when it was ordered "in the field" to South Carolina. It participated in campaigns in South Carolina and Virginia until the end of the war. Battery commanders were First Lieutenant (Brevet Captain) Guy V. Henry and Captain Samuel S. Elder. In 1865 the battery was transferred to Fort Hamilton, N.Y. harbor. It relocated again in 1866 to Fort Wadsworth, N.Y. harbor through 1872. Between 1872 and 1875, Battery B served at Fort Pulaski, Ga., Saint Augustine, Fla., and Fort Adams, R.I. Battery commanders from 1870 to 1879: Captain Guy V. Henry, Captain Tully McRea and Captain Royal T. Frank. The battery returned to Fort Taylor in 1893. It was reorganized as a Coastal Artillery Corps unit in 1901. See the organizational history of Battery B here. View the battery roster here.

Source: Haskin, The History of the First Regiment of Artillery, 1879
Source: Gaines, Military Engineering on the Florida Reef: The Coastal and Harbor Defenses of Key West, Florida 1829-1946

Today, a group of living history demonstrators portray a detachment of Battery B. Following U.S. Army Artillery regulations of the day, we drill on a 3-inch ordnance rifle as well as an original 10-inch Rodman seacoast cannon. The Rodman is mounted on a replica iron carriage and chassis which is emplaced in Casemate 43 on the North Curtain. We also have access to an 1854 10-inch siege mortar. Our detachment is among an elite group--one that drills on original seacoast artillery. The detachment participates in local events as well as reenactments in Florida. New members are always welcome. No experience is necessary. We will train you to serve field and heavy artillery and how to interpret the living history to spectators. Minimum uniform requirements: Standard 1860 period Federal uniform with Artillery branch insignia. Email here for information.

We are also the host unit for Civil War Heritage Festival at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park. The event is held the second weekend of February. More information on the event is located here.

Serving Artillery

This detachment of Battery B, First U.S. Artillery is unique that we serve two types of artillery: Field and Heavy. Our field piece is a 3-inch ordnance rifle. Our heavy piece is an original 10-inch Rodman seacoast cannon. You can view the drill for field artillery here. You'll need the Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the drill. Also on this page is our misfire drill. The service of heavy artillery differs from that of field artillery. Heavy artillery is not mobile. It requires additional implements. The drill for heavy artillery is from the Roberts Hand-book of Heavy Artillery and is located here.

Battery B, First U.S. Artillery Photo Gallery.