8th New York Artillery Heavy in the American Civil War

Overview

The 8th New York Artillery (Heavy) was a Union regiment organized in the state of New York during the American Civil War. Originally recruited as the 129th New York Infantry in the summer of 1862 from Genesee, Niagara, and Orleans counties, the regiment was mustered into U.S. service at Lockport on August 22, 1862, for a three-year term. In December 1862, it was converted to heavy artillery. The regiment served primarily in the Eastern Theater and gained a reputation for hard fighting and high casualties, particularly during the Overland Campaign and the Siege of Petersburg.

Though designated as heavy artillery, the regiment was trained and often served as infantry, especially after joining the Army of the Potomac in 1864. The 8th New York Artillery is noted for its large size, fielding twelve companies, and for suffering some of the heaviest losses among New York regiments.

Organization & Service

The 8th New York Artillery (Heavy) was organized at Lockport, New York, as the 129th Infantry and mustered into service on August 22, 1862. In December 1862, it was re-designated as heavy artillery. Two additional companies, L and M, were organized at Lockport in December 1863 and January 1864, mustered in for one and three years respectively, and joined the regiment in February 1864.

The regiment performed garrison duty in the defenses of Washington, D.C., until May 1864. At that time, it was ordered to the front with other heavy artillery regiments to reinforce General Grant’s forces. The 8th New York Artillery was attached to the 2nd Division (Gibbon’s), 2nd Corps, Army of the Potomac. It saw its first major combat at the Battle of Spotsylvania in May 1864, followed by heavy engagement at Cold Harbor, where Colonel Peter A. Porter was killed leading a charge. The regiment continued to serve with distinction during the assaults on Petersburg, suffering further heavy casualties, including the loss of Colonel Willard W. Bates and Major Edwin L. Blake. The regiment also participated in actions at Reams’ Station and Boydton Plank Road, and endured continuous losses during the siege operations before Petersburg.

On June 5, 1865, Companies A to K were mustered out at Munson’s Hill, Virginia, under Lieutenant Colonel Joseph W. Holmes. Remaining men were transferred to the 4th New York Artillery and 10th New York Infantry.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Garrison duty, Defenses of Washington, D.C. (1862–1864)
• Overland Campaign (May–June 1864)
• Battle of Spotsylvania Court House (May 1864)
• Battle of Cold Harbor (June 1864)
• Assaults on Petersburg (June 1864)
• Siege of Petersburg (June 1864–April 1865)
• Battle of Reams’ Station (August 1864)
• Battle of Boydton Plank Road (October 1864)
• Appomattox Campaign (March–April 1865)

Casualties

• Killed or mortally wounded: 19 officers, 342 enlisted men
• Died of disease, accidents, in prison, etc.: 4 officers, 298 enlisted men
• Total deaths: 663
• Wounded (including mortally wounded): 37 officers, 707 enlisted men
• Died in Confederate prisons: 1 officer, 113 men
• Total enrollment: 2,575

The 8th New York Artillery (Heavy) suffered the highest number of killed and mortally wounded among New York heavy artillery regiments and ranked second among all such regiments in the Union Army.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Peter A. Porter
• Colonel Willard W. Bates
• Colonel James M. Willett
• Colonel Joel B. Baker
• Lieutenant Colonel Willard W. Bates
• Lieutenant Colonel James M. Willett
• Lieutenant Colonel Lawrence Kipp
• Lieutenant Colonel Joel B. Baker
• Lieutenant Colonel Joseph W. Holmes
• Major James M. Willett
• Major Joel B. Baker
• Major S. Dexter Ludden
• Major Edwin L. Blake
• Major Joseph W. Holmes
• Major James Low, Jr.
• Major Erastus M. Spaulding
• Major Henry M. Starr

Regimental Roster

The complete roster of officers and enlisted men who served in the 8th New York Artillery (Heavy) is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster includes details on enlistment, rank, and service record.

To view the full roster, visit the 8th New York Artillery (Heavy) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes 25, 36, 40, 46
• New York State Adjutant General’s Report
• Dyer, Frederick H., A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion
• Fox, William F., Regimental Losses in the American Civil War
• Contemporary regimental and state histories