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5th New York
Independent Battery
Online Books:
5th New York
Independent Battery Soldier
Roster - Annual Report of the Adjutant General of the State of New York For the Year
1893, Volume 15 View the Entire Book
| Regimental History |
| Fifth New York Independent Battery. — Capt., Elijah D. Taft. This
battery, known as the First Excelsior Light Artillery, was organized in New York city and
was originally intended to form part of the Excelsior brigade. Its members were recruited
in the counties of New York, Kings and Westchester; it was mustered into the U. S. service
Nov. 8, 1861, for three years, and left the state a week later commanded by Capt. Taft. On
the expiration of its term of service the original members (except veterans) were mustered
out and the battery, composed of veterans and recruits, continued in service. It was
stationed at Washington during the winter 1861-62; served with the artillery reserve of
the Army of the Potomac throughout the Peninsular campaign, taking part in the siege of
Yorktown, the engagements at Fair Oaks, New bridge and the Seven Days' battles. Attached
to the artillery reserve, 5th corps, it then embarked on the Maryland campaign, fighting
at Antietam and Boteler's ford. In the artillery brigade, Army of the Potomac, it was
active at Fredericksburg, Pollock's Mill creek, Marye's heights, Salem Church, Gettysburg
(where it lost 3 killed), Rappahannock Station, and Mine Run. In May, 1864, it fought at
the Wilderness and Spottsylvania, when it was ordered into the defenses of Washington
until July. It then participated in Sheridan's campaign in the Shenandoah, being in action
at Halltown, the Opequan, Fisher's hill, New Market and Cedar creek, where it saw its last
fighting. Under command of Capt. Taft it was mustered out at Hart's island, N. Y. harbor,
July 6, 1865. During its term of service it lost 6 men killed and died of wounds, and 13
men died of disease and other causes, a total of 19. |
Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing
Company, 1908 - Volume 2
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