Overview
The 3rd New York Battalion Heavy Artillery was a Union battalion organized in New York City during the early months of the Civil War. Composed of five companies, it served in the heavy artillery branch and was mustered into United States service between October 14 and December 19, 1861, for a three-year term. The battalion was primarily assigned to garrison duty in the defenses of Washington, D.C., specifically at Fort Lyon, Virginia.
This unit served exclusively in the Eastern Theater and was consolidated with the 15th New York Heavy Artillery on September 30, 1863.
Organization & Service
The 3rd New York Battalion Heavy Artillery was organized in New York City, with its companies mustered into service between October 14 and December 19, 1861. Upon completion of organization, the battalion departed New York for Washington, D.C., on December 19, 1861. Once in the capital region, it was assigned to the defenses south of the Potomac River, specifically garrisoning Fort Lyon, Virginia.
Throughout its service, the battalion remained at Fort Lyon, performing garrison and defensive duties as part of the Washington defenses. There is no record in the Official Records or New York State Adjutant General reports of the battalion participating in field campaigns or major battles. On September 30, 1863, the battalion was consolidated with the 15th New York Heavy Artillery, and its separate existence ended at that time.
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
- Garrison duty at Fort Lyon, Virginia (1861–1863)
No record of participation in field campaigns or major battles.
Casualties
Specific casualty figures for the 3rd New York Battalion Heavy Artillery are not separately reported in Dyer’s Compendium or the New York State Adjutant General’s reports. The battalion primarily performed garrison duty and did not see combat as a unit.
Some details are incomplete in surviving primary sources.
Field Officers & Commanders
- Lieutenant Colonel Adam Senges
- Lieutenant Colonel Louis Schirmer
Regimental Roster
The full roster of officers and enlisted men who served in the 3rd New York Battalion Heavy Artillery is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster provides names, ranks, and service details as recorded in official state and federal records.
To view the complete roster, visit the 3rd New York Battalion Heavy Artillery Roster page.
Sources & References
- Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes (Defenses of Washington, D.C.)
- New York State Adjutant General’s Report, Annual Report for 1862 and 1863
- Dyer, Frederick H. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion