The Pelican Artillery organized on 31 October 1862, recruiting men mostly from St. James Parish, Louisiana.

The battery first saw action in November 1862 against Union gunboats on Bayou Teche.

In April 1863, the unit distinguished itself at Fort Bisland and it fought a skirmish at Vermilion Bayou a few days later.

In April 1864, it served during the Red River campaign and was present, but not engaged at the battles of Mansfield and Pleasant Hill.

A total of 183 men enlisted in the battery during the war; 2 were killed in action, 5 died from disease, and 1 drowned.