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The History of Battery H First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery in the War to Preserve the Union 1861-1865 cover

The History of Battery H First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery in the War to Preserve the Union 1861-1865

Chapter 22: ANTHONY B. HORTON.
By Earl Fenner
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About This Book

The narrative recounts the origin, training, and wartime service of a Rhode Island light artillery battery, tracing recruitment, camp life, artillery drill, and movements from organization through major campaigns. It describes the unit's participation in field operations, siege and trench service, repulsing enemy assaults, and the final pursuit and surrender events, interweaving daily memoranda, official reports, and personal memoirs. The volume concludes with rosters, a mortuary record, and portraits of officers and men, providing a detailed administrative and human account of the battery's experiences during the conflict.

ANTHONY B. HORTON.

Second Lieut. Anthony B. Horton, the son of John W. and Mary A. Horton, was born in the city of Providence, R. I., on the 22d of January, 1836. He attended the Fountain Street School in that city until his tenth year, when his parents removed to Rehoboth, Mass. He assisted his father on the farm during the spring, summer and fall months of the year, and attended the district school in the winter.

At the breaking out of the Rebellion he enlisted as private in Battery B, First Rhode Island Light Artillery. Aug. 13, 1861. On the 25th of March, 1862, he was promoted to corporal, and on the 1st of December of the same year he was advanced to sergeant. He re-enlisted Feb. 8, 1864, and was appointed first sergeant Oct. 3, 1864. He was discharged Dec. 19, 1864, to receive promotion as second lieutenant in Battery H, to date from Nov. 29, 1864. He was mustered into that battery Dec. 20, 1864. He was a very brave and gallant officer, cool and collected in the hour of battle. He was promoted to brevet first lieutenant April 2, 1865, for gallant and meritorious services before Petersburg, Va., to date from Nov. 29, 1864. He was mustered out of service June 28, 1865.

WILLIAM B. WESTCOTT.

First Lieut. William B. Westcott, son of Harley and Laura Westcott, was born in Pawtuxet, R. I., March 16, 1841. He received his education in the public schools of his native village. In 1857 he went to Providence and was employed as a clerk in the grocery store of Thomas Merewether, and was thus engaged when the War of the Rebellion began.

On Dec. 2, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Battery G, First Rhode Island Light Artillery. He was promoted to sergeant Dec. 15, 1861, and quartermaster sergeant, June 9, 1862. On the 26th of April, 1864, he was promoted to second lieutenant of Battery H, and was mustered in May 1, 1864. He was promoted to first lieutenant March 2, 1865, and transferred to Battery B. He was mustered out with his battery June 12, 1865, and returned with it to Rhode Island.

Oct. 14, 1865, he entered the wholesale drug store of Oliver Johnson & Co., as a clerk, and has remained in the service of that company ever since. He is at the present time (1894) head clerk in that establishment.

Comrade Westcott joined Prescott Post, No. 1, G. A. R., of Providence, about December, 1867. He served as officer of the day for two years. He was department inspector in 1870–71, and assistant quartermaster-general of the department in 1874.

Comrade Westcott is a member of Hope Lodge, No. 4, I. O. O. F., and is also connected with Providence Council, No. 566, American Legion of Honor, having held the office of Commander in that order.

Lieut. George Lewis.

His brother, Gilbert O. Westcott, also served honorably for three years in Battery G, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, and is a member of Prescott Post, No. 1, G. A. R. Another brother, George H. Westcott, served as a corporal in Company D, First Rhode Island Detached Militia. He died in 1875.