The modern day PLA was first organized by Jack Marlar in 1978. Jack has always had a keen interest in the War Between the States, and WBTS artillery in particular. In 1973 Jack began construction of a 3-inch ordnance rifle, based on careful research and attention to original plans and tubes. Jack was one of the pioneers of WBTS artillery reenacting in the South East and has trained many of the other units which you will see at events in the area.

The PLA still uses Jack's 3-inch rifle as one of their principle weapons. Also available is a 12 pdr. field howitzer owned by Bruce Hoover, an original Tredegar 3 inch Parrott rifle, and a 24 pdr field howitzer and a 12 pdr. mountain howitzer, both built by Eddie Davis. The PLA also has two Confederate Coehorn mortars which were researched and built by Jack Marlar, Eddie Davis, and Ralph Hannah. We have limbers for four of our pieces and are currently building a fifth limber.

The PLA is a member of the Palmetto (South Carolina) Battalion and also the Deep South Artillery Battery (1st Confederate Division). We have members in South Carolina, Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee. We usually attend between 12 to 18 events a year, including one or two large National level events, and most of the rest in South Carolina and Georgia. In addition we do living history, memorial ceremonies, parades, and other educational programs.

If you are interested in finding out more about the PLA, visit the recruiting office.

Visit a small gallery of photos of the PLA in action.

Read articles from the newsletter.

Review recent events attended by the PLA or view an upcoming schedule.

View our policy on "galvanizing".

Contact members of the unit staff.

View links to other artillery sites on the web.