History of the Second Massachusetts Battery (Nims' Battery) of Light Artillery, 1861-1865

The volume offers a concise yet richly detailed portrait of the Second Massachusetts Light Artillery, better known as Nims’ Battery, and its service from the opening battles of 1861 through the war’s end. Drawing on official reports, personal diaries, letters and contemporary newspapers, the author weaves together the experiences of the men and the leadership of Captain Ormand F. Nims, giving listeners a vivid sense of artillery life on the Union side.

The narrative follows the battery’s early training in Baltimore, its deployment to the Mississippi and Gulf theaters, and the hard‑fought engagements that defined its reputation. Interspersed with photographs, roster lists and excerpts from soldiers’ journals, the work also recounts the post‑war efforts of veterans to preserve their story, culminating in the formation of the Nims’ Battery Association. Listeners will come away with a clear picture of the unit’s contributions and the personal sacrifices that shaped its legacy.