Battery Mills (2)

 (1900-1943) - Battery Mills (2) was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 6 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Wadsworth (1), Richmond County, New York. The battery was named in G.O. 20, 25 Jan 1906, after Bvt. Col. Charles J. Mills, (U.S. Volunteers, Capt. Assist. Adjutant General), who served with distinction during the U.S. Civil War, and who was killed in action at Hatcher's Run, near Petersburg, Virginia, 31 Mar 1865. Battery construction started in 1898, was completed in 1900 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 26 Oct 1900 at a cost of $ 52,700.00. Deactivated in 1943.

Endicott Period
Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 6" M1897MI guns mounted on M1898 disappearing carriages.

This was a two story battery with the guns mounted on the upper level and the magazines on the lower level. Two manual Hodges back delivery shell hoists moved the shells from the magazine level to the gun loading platform. No powder hoists installed.



World War I
On 18 Jul 1918 one 6" gun was listed as having been shipped to the Sand Hook Proving Ground. On 20 Feb 1918 gun #8 was officially transferred to the Sand Hook Proving Ground.

World War II
The remaining Battery Mills gun was transferred to Watervliet on 18 Dec 1943. The remaining carriage was ordered scrapped on 3 Dec1943.

Current Status
No period guns or mounts in place.

Sources:

Links: