Lt. Van Pelt Defends His Battery at Chickamauga Postcard

Van Pelt's 1st Michigan Light Artillery, commanded by Captain Albert F. Van Pelt, played a crucial role in the Battle of Chickamauga, a significant engagement during the American Civil War. The battery was part of the Union Army of the Cumberland, specifically assigned to Brigadier General James Steedman's division. The battle took place from September 18 to 20, 1863, near Chickamauga Creek in northwestern Georgia and was one of the largest and bloodiest battles of the war. During the Battle of Chickamauga, Van Pelt's battery was positioned in support of the Union infantry, and its artillery played a vital role in slowing the Southern advance. On September 19, 1863, during the second day of the battle, the battery was heavily engaged, providing critical artillery support to Union forces attempting to hold their line against General Braxton Bragg's Confederate Army of Tennessee. The battery's accurate and sustained fire helped stem the Southern assault, inflicting casualties on the enemy and allowing the Union forces to maintain their position. Lieutenant Van Pelt was killed when his battery was overrun. Despite the battery's valiant efforts, the Battle of Chickamauga ended with a Southern victory, but it was a costly one for both sides. Van Pelt's 1st Michigan Light Artillery earned recognition for its role in the engagement, demonstrating the critical importance of artillery support in Civil War battles. The battery continued to serve throughout the war, participating in various campaigns and battles as part of the Union's efforts to restore and preserve the United States.