Overview
The 13th New York Independent Battery was an artillery unit organized in New York City during the late summer of 1861 for Union service in the American Civil War. Initially recruited as part of a battalion for E. D. Baker’s brigade, the battery was officially designated by the state in December 1861. It served as an independent battery throughout the war, participating in major campaigns in both the Eastern and Western Theaters.
The battery was mustered into United States service for a three-year term on October 15, 1861, and reenlisted as a veteran organization in January 1864. It saw extensive action with the Army of the Potomac, the Mountain Department, the 11th Corps, and later the 20th Corps, before concluding its service with garrison duty in the Department of the Cumberland. The battery was mustered out at New York City on July 28, 1865.
Organization & Service
The 13th New York Independent Battery was recruited in New York City in late summer 1861 as part of a planned artillery battalion for E. D. Baker’s brigade. When recruiting for the battalion ceased, all enlisted men were consolidated into Company A, which became the 13th Independent Battery in December 1861. The battery was mustered into federal service for three years on October 15, 1861, and departed New York two days later.
Initially attached to the Army of the Potomac, the battery served until April 1862 before being ordered to the Mountain Department under General Fremont. It was active at the Rappahannock River and subsequently assigned to the reserve artillery of the 1st Corps, participating in the battles of Cross Keys and White House Ford in June 1862. During Pope’s Virginia campaign, the battery fought in the battles around Manassas, suffering casualties. After a period away from the front, it was attached to the artillery brigade of the 11th Corps and saw significant action at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg.
On September 24, 1863, the battery moved with the 11th Corps to Tennessee, participating in operations near Chattanooga, including engagements at Lookout Valley and Missionary Ridge, and later assisted in the relief of Knoxville. In April 1864, with the consolidation of the 11th and 12th Corps into the 20th Corps, the battery was assigned to the 2nd Division and took part in the Atlanta Campaign, including the battles of Resaca, Dallas, Kennesaw Mountain, Peachtree Creek, and the siege of Atlanta. The battery suffered heavy losses, requiring reinforcement from infantry details. After Atlanta’s fall, these details were returned, and the battery, reduced in strength, was assigned to garrison duty in the Department of the Cumberland. Its final engagement occurred at Overall’s Creek, Tennessee, in December 1864. The battery was mustered out at New York City on July 28, 1865, under Captain Bundy.
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
- Rappahannock River (Spring 1862)
- Cross Keys (June 1862)
- White House Ford (June 1862)
- Pope’s Virginia Campaign (including battles around Manassas, August 1862)
- Chancellorsville (May 1863)
- Gettysburg (July 1863)
- Lookout Valley (October 1863)
- Missionary Ridge (November 1863)
- Relief of Knoxville (November–December 1863)
- Resaca (May 1864)
- Dallas (May 1864)
- Kennesaw Mountain (June 1864)
- Peachtree Creek (July 1864)
- Siege of Atlanta (July–September 1864)
- Overall’s Creek, Tennessee (December 1864)
Casualties
- Killed and died of wounds: 1 officer, 13 enlisted men
- Died of disease and other causes: 16 enlisted men
- Total deaths: 29
Field Officers & Commanders
- Captain Emil Stumpfels
- Captain Julius Dieckman
- Captain William Wheeler
- Captain Henry Bundy
Regimental Roster
The full roster of the 13th 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 as recorded in official state and federal records.
To view the complete roster, visit the 13th New York Independent Battery Roster page.
Sources & References
- Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes and parts
- 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 13th New York Independent Battery