Overview
Independent Pennsylvania Battery D (also known as Durell’s Battery) was an artillery unit organized at Doylestown, Pennsylvania, and mustered into United States service on September 24, 1861, for a three years’ term. Composed primarily of men from Berks and Bucks counties, the battery served as an independent light artillery unit within the Union Army. It participated in major campaigns in both the Eastern and Western Theaters and was noted for its reliable service and commendations from commanding officers.
Organization & Service
Battery D was organized at Doylestown and mustered in on September 24, 1861. The unit moved to Washington, D.C., on November 6, 1861, where it remained until the spring of 1862. Initially attached to McDowell’s Division, the battery participated in the advance on Manassas in March 1862. By April, it was with King’s Division, McDowell’s Corps, and arrived at Fredericksburg on April 18. After encamping at Falmouth for two months, the battery joined the Army of General Pope and was attached to the 2nd Division, 9th Corps. It was engaged at Kelly’s Ford in August 1862 and assigned to General Hooker’s Division on August 27, participating in the actions at Bristoe Station, Second Bull Run, and Chantilly.
Following refitting in Washington, Battery D fought at South Mountain and Antietam in September 1862, was present at Amissville, and was active at Sulphur Springs in November. The battery participated in the Battle of Fredericksburg on December 13, 1862. In 1863, it remained with the 9th Corps during the Western Campaign, taking part in the sieges of Vicksburg and Jackson, Mississippi. The battery returned north in August 1863, having suffered from sickness among men and horses during the summer, and was left in camp while operations continued in East Tennessee.
Early in 1864, many members reenlisted, and the battery was refitted at Washington in the spring. During the Overland Campaign, Battery D covered the wagon train and was assigned to the 4th Division. It was repeatedly engaged at Petersburg and participated in the final assault on April 2, 1865. Afterward, the battery moved to Wilson’s Station and then returned to Alexandria following Lee’s surrender. Battery D was mustered out at Philadelphia on June 13, 1865.
Research This Regiment Further
If you’d like to explore this unit’s history in more depth, regimental histories and Civil War reference works offer valuable detail.
Engagements & Campaigns
- Advance on Manassas (March 1862)
- Fredericksburg (April 1862)
- Kelly’s Ford (August 1862)
- Bristoe Station (August 1862)
- Second Bull Run (August 1862)
- Chantilly (September 1862)
- South Mountain (September 1862)
- Antietam (September 1862)
- Sulphur Springs (November 1862)
- Fredericksburg (December 1862)
- Vicksburg Campaign (1863)
- Jackson, Mississippi (July 1863)
- Petersburg (1864–1865)
- Final Assault on Petersburg (April 2, 1865)
Casualties
Specific casualty figures for Independent Pennsylvania Battery D are not consistently reported in primary sources. Available records indicate the battery suffered losses from both combat and disease, particularly during the Western Campaign in 1863. For detailed numbers, consult the Pennsylvania Adjutant General’s reports and Dyer’s Compendium.
Field Officers & Commanders
- Captain George W. Durell
- Captain Samuel H. Rhoads
Regimental Roster
The full roster of Independent Pennsylvania Battery D, including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and research purposes. This roster provides names, ranks, and service details as recorded in official state and federal records.
To view the complete roster, visit the Independent Pennsylvania Battery D Roster page.
Sources & References
- Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes
- Pennsylvania Adjutant General’s Report, 1861–1865
- Dyer, Frederick H. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion
- Fox, William F. Regimental Losses in the American Civil War
- The Union Army, Federal Publishing Company, 1908, Volume 1