The Helena Artillery of Arkansas formed and entered state service on April 29th, 1861 commanded by Captain A W Clarkson. Later commanded by Captain John H Calvert who took command late in 1861 while battery was in the Bowling Green KY vicinity. Captain Calvert was cashiered from the service in October 1862 for drinking on duty. He was replaced by Lieutenant Thomas J Key promoted to captain. Capt Key, a fine artillery officer, led the battery from October 1862 to its surrender on April 21st 1865. During this time, it fought at the Battle of Chattanooga and Tunnel Hill where it was equipped with four 12 pounder howitzers. This type of gun was lighter than the Napoleon light gun. The 12 pounder howitzer was a short range smoothbore best used close to the front lines firing shell and cannister, it had a short effective range.