Chatham Artillery facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Chatham Artillery
118th Field Artillery Regiment insignia
Active	1776–present
Country	United States
Allegiance	United States of America  Confederate States of America
Branch	United States Army  Confederate States Army
Type	Artillery
Size	Battalion
Garrison/HQ	Savannah, Georgia
Nickname(s)	Savannah's Own (special designation) Lightning Brigade (former)>br>Hickory's Howitzers
Engagements	American Revolution Sharper's Insurrection Oconee Wars War of 1812 Second Seminole War American Civil War World War I World War II Iraq Campaign Afghanistan Campaign
Decorations	Presidential Unit Citation Meritorious Unit Commendation French Croix de Guerre with Palm Luxembourg Croix de Guerre Belgian Fourragere
Commanders
Notable commanders	Thomas Lee Joseph Woodruff George Wayne Anderson

The Chatham Artillery is a military unit with a long and important history in Georgia. It has been active since the American Revolution in 1776. This makes it one of the oldest units in the U.S. Army.

The Chatham Artillery was first formed to defend Savannah, Georgia. It has fought in many major conflicts. These include the War of 1812, the American Civil War, World War I, and World War II. More recently, they served in the Iraq Campaign and Afghanistan Campaign.

Today, the Chatham Artillery is known as the 118th Field Artillery. It is part of the Georgia Army National Guard. This unit is special because it served both the United States and the Confederate States of America during the Civil War.

What Do Their Symbols Mean?

The Unit's Coat of Arms

The Chatham Artillery has a special design called a coat of arms. It is made of gold-colored metal and enamel. The main shield is red. It has a gray "saltire," which is an X-shape, outlined in gold.

At the top of the shield is a gold lion. At the bottom is a gold fleur-de-lis, a symbol like a lily. Below the shield, a gold scroll says "NESCIT CEDERE" in black. This means "He does not know how to yield" or "He does not know how to give up."

Colors and Symbols Explained

The color red is often used for artillery units. The lion on the shield represents their service in the Revolutionary War. The fleur-de-lis stands for their service in World War I, which took place in France. The gray X-shape (saltire) shows their time serving as Confederate troops during the Civil War.

A Long and Brave History

Early Days in Georgia

The Chatham Artillery's story began on April 18, 1751. It started as four volunteer companies in the Georgia Militia. They were first led by Captain Noble Jones in Savannah. Later, in 1757, they became the 1st Regiment of Foot Militia.

Fighting for Independence (American Revolutionary War)

In January 1776, the unit was reorganized. They helped defend Savannah during the Revolutionary War. When the British captured Savannah in 1778, the unit was temporarily disbanded.

But they were reorganized in 1782. They became the 1st Regiment of the Georgia Militia. By 1784, they were known as the 1st Regiment (Chatham Regiment).

George Washington's Visit and Special Guns

A very famous moment happened on May 12, 1791. George Washington, the first U.S. President, visited Savannah. The Chatham Artillery fired 26 shots from their cannons to salute him.

President Washington was so impressed that he gave them a special gift. He sent them two cannons that had been captured from the British at Yorktown in 1781. These cannons are known as the "Washington Guns." You can still see them on display in Savannah today near City Hall.

The Washington Guns: A Closer Look

These historic cannons are very old. One is a British 6-pounder. It says it was "surrendered by the capitulation of York Town Oct. 19, 1781." The other is a French gun made in 1756. It has fancy carvings and the coat of arms of King Louis XIV. It even has a Latin phrase meaning "Last Argument of Kings."

The "Washington Guns" have saluted many important visitors to Savannah over the years. These include Presidents like James Monroe and Franklin D. Roosevelt. During the Civil War, the cannons were buried to keep them safe. They were dug up in 1872 after the war ended.

Through the 1800s

The unit continued to change and grow. Different volunteer companies joined and reorganized over time. They were involved in various conflicts, including the War of 1812.

The Civil War Years

On January 2, 1861, the Chatham Artillery was ordered into active state service. They took control of Fort Pulaski in Savannah Harbor. This was at the very beginning of the American Civil War.

The Chatham Artillery later became an independent artillery unit. They fought in many battles. They surrendered near Greensboro, North Carolina, in April 1865, as the war ended.

After the Civil War (Reconstruction)

After the war, the unit was reorganized in 1872. It became the 1st Infantry Regiment in the Georgia Volunteers. They even served in the Spanish-American War in 1898.

World War I Service

In 1917, the unit was called into federal service for World War I. They were renamed the 118th Field Artillery. They were part of the 31st Division and served in France. After the war, they returned home in 1919.

Between the World Wars

The unit was reorganized in 1921 as the 1st Field Artillery. In 1922, they were again named the 118th Field Artillery. They continued to train and prepare.

World War II Heroes

In 1940, the 118th Field Artillery was called into federal service again. During World War II, they landed on Normandy Beach just four days after D-Day. They helped break through the Siegfried Line, a strong German defense. They were at the Elbe River when the war in Europe ended in 1945.

The Cold War Era

After World War II, the unit went through more reorganizations. They became part of the 48th Armored Division. They continued to serve and train during the Cold War. In 1992, they were reorganized as the 118th Field Artillery.

Fighting in Iraq (Operation Iraqi Freedom)

In 2004, the 48th Infantry Brigade was called to serve in Operation Iraqi Freedom. The 1st Battalion, 118th Field Artillery, was part of this deployment. They trained for five months and were sent to Iraq in May 2005.

They were stationed in a dangerous area southwest of Baghdad. This area was sometimes called the "Triangle of Death." They helped secure the region and worked from various bases. In April 2006, after a year of combat, the soldiers returned home to Georgia.

Serving in Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom)

In 2007, the 48th Infantry Brigade was told they would deploy to Afghanistan. This was for Operation Enduring Freedom. The 1st Battalion, 118th Field Artillery, deployed in 2009.

They helped train Afghan troops and police forces. This was part of the effort to improve security in Afghanistan. In March 2010, they returned home after their year-long deployment.

The Chatham Artillery Today

The Chatham Artillery is currently known as the 1st Battalion, 118th Field Artillery Regiment. They are part of the Georgia National Guard's 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

This brigade is part of a special program. It allows National Guard units to train and deploy with active-duty Army units. The 48th Brigade will work closely with the 3rd Infantry Division. Soldiers from the 48th Brigade will even wear the 3rd Infantry Division patch.

How the Unit is Organized Now

• 1st Battalion, 118th Field Artillery "Hickory's Howitzers"
  • Headquarters and Headquarters Battery (HHB) Savannah, Georgia "Chatham Artillery"
  • Alpha Battery (105mm) Springfield, Georgia
  • Bravo Battery (105mm) Brunswick, Georgia
  • Charlie Battery (155mm) Savannah, Georgia "Jasper Rifles"
  • Fox Company 148th Brigade Support Battalion (F-148th BSB) Savannah, Georgia

Images for kids

• 

  Georgia Guard 118th Field Artillery

• 

  Georgia Guard 118th Field Artillery

• 

  Chatham Artillery, 1786-1913, Savannah, Ga

• 

  Southern Wall Union Artillery damage 1862

• 

  Chatham Artillery building, with a cannon and revolutionary war figure on the roof, by Launey & Goebel

• 

  GA Savannah Fort Jackson

• 

  GA Savannah Fort Jackson gate

• 

  GA Savannah Fort Jackson

• 

  Fort McAllister today

• 

  Fort McAllister today

• 

  Fort McAllister today

• 

  Fort McAllister Tom Cat marker

• 

  USS Montauk Attacks Fort McAllister