This ambrotype photograph is of an unknown private in the Pulaski Light Artillery Battery.
Organized in December 1860 in Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas, the Pulaski Light Artillery Battery was originally known as the Totten Light Artillery Battery. It was named after William Totten, a prominent physician in Little Rock, and his son, Captain James Totten, the commander of the U. S. Arsenal there. In January 1861, Little Rock received erroneous news that Federal reinforcements were marching to reinforce the arsenal. As a result of this news and strong secessionist support in Arkansas, volunteers began pouring into the capital. By the second week of February, nearly 5,000 pro-secessionist volunteers had surrounded the arsenal.
Captain Totten faced a difficult decision. Although charged with defending federal property, he was vastly outnumbered. His men could either fire into the approaching masses or surrender. Totten elected to avoid bloodshed. Choosing to defend the arsenal might have launched the United States into the Civil War two months before the bombardment of Fort Sumter.
After the war began, Totten announced his decision to remain in the United States Army. The battery’s name was then changed to the Pulaski Light Artillery, in honor of Pulaski County, Arkansas.
At the Battle of Wilson’s Creek, on August 10, 1861, the four cannons of the Pulaski battery under the command Captain William E. Woodruff were deployed on the high ground of the Winn Farm overlooking the Wire Road. Woodruff’s position enabled his battery to stop the Union advance across Bloody Hill. As a result, Southern infantrymen were able to organize a line of battle and meet the Union forces. During the battle, the Pulaski Battery engaged in a duel with Union artillery positioned on Bloody Hill. Ironically, one of the Union batteries was led by Captain James Totten.
Image Courtesy Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield; WICR 30058
