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*Formed in 1808 The Portsmouth Light Artillery was the oldest artillery company in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

*The battery served with distinction in its first engagement during the War of 1812. Commanded by Captain Arthur Emmerson, it helped repel the British forces during the battle of Craney Island on June 22,1813.

*1858 Captain Cary F Grimes was elected as commander of the battery. The Portsmouth Light Artillery was attached to the 3rd Regiment Virginia Volunteers.

*April 20,1861 the battery was ordered to the Court House in Portsmouth,Va to protect the city against advancing Federal troops.

*April 20,1861 Federal troops burned Gosport Navy Yard in Portsmouth,Va.

*April 21,1861 the unit was ordered to the naval hospital to help reestablish old Fort Nelson at Hospital Point.

*May 16,1861 the battery was assigned to Hoffler's Creek to guard the western shore of the Hampton Rhoads.

*June 1861 The Portsmouth Light Artillery reported 81 members on the roll

one Captain, two Lieutenants, four Sergeants, four Corporals and seventy Privates.

*July 20,1861 The men of the unit changed the name of their unit to Grimes Battery in tribute to their beloved Captain.

*October 7,1861 Grimes Battery fired on a Union steamer that tried to harass a small boat carrying some artillerist out for a relaxing afternoon of fishing.

*March 8,1862 Grimes Battery still stationed at Hoffler's Creek witnessed the new age of modern ironclad warfare, when the C.S.S. Virginia battled the U.S.S. Monitor in Hampton Rhoads.

*March 28,1862 the battery was reorganized as an independent company under Captain Grimes.

*April 1,1862 after the required medical examination of each member took place Grimes Battery was mustered into Confederate service.

*April 23,1862 the battery departed Hoffler's Creek in route to South Mills, North Carolina to cut off advancing Federals.

*May 2,1862 Captain Grimes split his battery, having one gun cross the Pasquotank River to try and catch the Federal gunboat John L Lockwood in a crossfire. In the early morning of the 2nd the battery opened fire on the steamer forcing her to retreat down the river.