Overview
The 6th New York Independent Battery was an artillery unit organized in New York City and mustered into United States service on June 15, 1861, for a three-year term. Initially recruited at Rahway, New Jersey, and organized as Company K of the 9th New York Militia (later the 83rd New York Infantry), the battery was soon detached and designated as the 6th Independent Battery in December 1861. It served with the Union Army in the Eastern Theater and participated in numerous campaigns and battles throughout the Civil War.
The battery was notable for its extensive service, being engaged in over 40 battles and skirmishes. It remained active beyond its original term as a veteran organization and was finally mustered out on July 8, 1865, at Hart’s Island, New York Harbor.
Organization & Service
The 6th New York Independent Battery was mustered into service on June 15, 1861, in New York City, having been recruited at Rahway, New Jersey. It initially served as the artillery company (Company K) of the 9th New York Militia, which later became the 83rd New York Infantry. The battery left New York State on June 16, 1861, and served with its parent regiment until August 25, 1861, when it was detached for independent service. In December 1861, it was officially designated as the 6th Independent Battery.
During 1861, the battery was engaged at Pritchard’s Mill, Point of Rocks, Bolivar Heights, and Ball’s Bluff. In 1862, it was attached to the 3rd Corps and participated in the Peninsular Campaign. In 1863, the battery was assigned to the 1st Brigade, Horse Artillery, 2nd Cavalry Division, and took part in the Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and Virginia campaigns, concluding the year with the Mine Run operations. In July 1864, men from the 10th New York Battery were transferred to the 6th. The battery fought through the Wilderness Campaign in 1864 and was subsequently ordered to the defenses of Washington. In October 1864, it was engaged with the Army of the Shenandoah at Tom’s Brook, Cedar Creek, and near Newtown, Virginia. The battery continued in service as a veteran organization after its original term expired and was mustered out on July 8, 1865, at Hart’s Island, New York Harbor, under the command of Captain Moses P. Clark.
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
- Pritchard’s Mill (1861)
- Point of Rocks (1861)
- Bolivar Heights (1861)
- Ball’s Bluff (1861)
- Peninsular Campaign (1862)
- Chancellorsville Campaign (1863)
- Gettysburg Campaign (1863)
- Virginia Campaigns, including Mine Run (1863)
- Wilderness Campaign (1864)
- Defenses of Washington (1864)
- Tom’s Brook (October 1864)
- Cedar Creek (October 1864)
- Near Newtown, Virginia (October 1864)
Casualties
- Killed and mortally wounded: 8 enlisted men
- Died of disease and other causes: 9 enlisted men
- Total losses: 17 enlisted men
Field Officers & Commanders
- Captain Thomas W. Bunting
- Captain Walter M. Bramhall
- Captain Joseph W. Martin
- Captain Moses P. Clark
Regimental Roster
The full roster of the 6th New York Independent Battery, including officers and enlisted men who served during its term, is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster provides names, ranks, and service details as recorded in official sources.
To view the complete roster, visit the 6th New York Independent Battery Roster page.
Sources & References
- Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes and parts covering 1861–1865
- 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 reports and returns of the 6th New York Independent Battery