Overview
The 1st New York Independent Battery, also known as Cowan’s Battery, served as a light artillery unit for the Union Army during the American Civil War. Organized at Auburn, New York, in the fall of 1861 under Captain Terrence J. Kennedy, the battery was mustered into United States service on November 23, 1861, for a three-year term. It served primarily in the Eastern Theater and was attached to the VI Corps for much of its service. The battery is noted for its participation in major campaigns and battles, including Gettysburg and the Appomattox Campaign.
After the expiration of its original term, the battery continued in service with veterans and recruits until June 23, 1865, when it was mustered out at Syracuse, New York, under the command of Captain Andrew Cowan.
Organization & Service
The 1st New York Independent Battery was recruited and organized at Auburn, New York, by Captain Terrence J. Kennedy in the fall of 1861. The unit was mustered into federal service on November 23, 1861, for a three-year enlistment. It left New York for Washington, D.C., on December 4, 1861, and was stationed in the capital during the winter of 1861–62.
In the spring of 1862, the battery was assigned to the 6th Corps, Army of the Potomac, and participated in the Peninsula Campaign, including the siege of Yorktown, Lee’s Mill, Williamsburg, and the Seven Days Battles. Following the Peninsula Campaign, the battery took part in the Maryland Campaign, seeing action at Antietam and Fredericksburg with relatively small losses.
In 1863, the battery was assigned to the artillery brigade of the 6th Corps. It was engaged at Marye’s Heights, Salem Church, Deep Run Crossing, and at Gettysburg, where it suffered 12 killed and wounded. The battery continued to serve in the subsequent Virginia campaigns, including Mine Run, and remained with the 6th Corps during the Overland Campaign, fighting at the Wilderness and in the operations leading to the investment of Petersburg. The unit served in the Petersburg trenches from June 18 to July 9, 1864.
Later in 1864, the battery participated in Sheridan’s Shenandoah Valley Campaign, fighting at Opequon, Fisher’s Hill, and Cedar Creek, where it lost 23 killed and wounded. In January 1865, the battery returned to Petersburg and was engaged on March 25, suffering additional casualties. The unit then took part in the Appomattox Campaign, culminating in the surrender of Lee’s army. The original members, except veterans, were mustered out at the expiration of their term, and the battery, composed of veterans and recruits, continued in service until final muster out at Syracuse, New York, on June 23, 1865, under Captain Andrew Cowan.
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
- Peninsula Campaign (including Siege of Yorktown, Lee’s Mill, Williamsburg, Seven Days Battles)
- Maryland Campaign (Antietam)
- Fredericksburg
- Marye’s Heights
- Salem Church
- Deep Run Crossing
- Gettysburg
- Mine Run Campaign
- Overland Campaign (including Wilderness)
- Siege of Petersburg
- Sheridan’s Shenandoah Valley Campaign (Opequon, Fisher’s Hill, Cedar Creek)
- Appomattox Campaign
Casualties
- Killed or mortally wounded: 2 officers, 18 enlisted men
- Died of disease and other causes: 38 enlisted men
- Total deaths: 58
Field Officers & Commanders
- Captain Terrence J. Kennedy
- Captain Andrew Cowan
Regimental Roster
The full roster of the 1st New York Independent Battery, including officers and enlisted men who served during its term, is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster provides names, ranks, and service details where recorded.
To view the complete roster, visit the 1st New York Independent Battery Roster page.
Sources & References
- Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes 11, 19, 21, 27, 29, 36, 39, 40, 46
- New York State Adjutant General’s Reports
- Dyer, Frederick H. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion
- Fox, William F. Regimental Losses in the American Civil War
- Contemporary reports and returns of the 1st New York Independent Battery