Greg:

The question you ask about the location of Culpeper's Battery at Fort Blakley is one that I wish I could answer with conviction. Unfortunately no definite information exists or has been found to date. There is a fellow in SC trying to nail this down. He is still searching for more detail which may be hard to find. The portion of a note he sent me and which I relied upon earlier is as follows:

"...the source was from a SCV Camp that has a considerable collection of history on Fort Blakeley. Even with the help from local SCV members it has been extremely difficult to track down the individual and his source, but today I have located the gentleman who posted the reference to Redoubt 4. The Official Records state that Culpeper was attached to Gen. Thomas' Brigade which encompassed redoubt 5 through redoubt 9. A letter written by a veteran from Thomas' Brigade specifically states Culpeper's Battery was at Redoubt 9 on April 9 the day of battle and capture. However, the Officials Records indicate significant movement of Confederate artillery and men within the fort during the last days and hours. So, as a result of Union General Moore's heavy pressure upon Redoubt 4, parts of Culpeper's Battery may have been there for support. It appears (from muster roll records) some of Culpepers men were (in the vicinity of Redoubt 4) near the upper end of the fort when they were captured by Union Gen. Lucas' Cavalry, April 2, 1865 while setting land mines in front of the fort."

Greg - the only other information that is somewhat corroborative of the above is the information on 1st Lt. Joshua Moses death - he is reported to have been killed in front of the fort. Perhaps some of his men were captured in front of the fort trying to lay land mines? Regards, Glen