Chatham Artillery

Chatham Artillery
Distinctive Unit Insignia: 118 FA
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)
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 has played a leading role in the history of the state of Georgia since the American Revolution. in 1776 Thomas Lee was authorized to enlist a provincial company of artillery for the defense of Savannah, the first such unit in Georgia's history. Commanded by Joseph Woodruff, they defended the right flank of American forces when the British attacked Savannah. They saw service in the Oconnee wars, The Embargo Wars, and The War of 1812. They were part of the force that occupied Fort Pulaski that opened the American Civil War, and served in and around Savannah and Charleston SC before joining General Johnston's forces in Columbia, SC. After reorganization in 1872, they mustered out to the border with Mexico, to stop Pancho Villa's raids in the United States. They served with the "Dixie Division" in France during World War I, and landed on Normandy Beach on D-day plus 4 in World War II. They breached the Siegfried Line, and were at the Elbe River when the war ended. In 2005 they were mobilized again into federal service, as an element of the 48th Brigade Combat team serving in Iraq, part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Chatham Artillery was re-mobilized in 2009 to support Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, personally training Afghan Troops and Police Forces. They were demobilized in 2010 at Fort Stewart, GA. Today they remain in service, as a modular artillery brigade of the Georgia Army National Guard, the 118th Field Artillery.

As part of the 48th Infantry Brigade, the 118th FA is one of the oldest units in US Army history. It is one of few units in the US military that also saw service as a unit of the Confederate States of America during the US Civil War.

When George Washington visited Savannah on May 12, 1791, the Chatham Artillery saluted him with 26 discharges from their field guns. The company found such favor with the President, that he sent a gift of two field pieces captured at Yorktown on October 19, 1781. These "Washington Guns" are still on display in Savannah today near city hall. Two Historical Markers there outline the history of the guns.