1st New York Artillery in the American Civil War

Overview

The 1st New York Artillery was a regiment of light artillery organized in the State of New York for Union service during the American Civil War. Mustered in between August 30 and November 20, 1861, at Elmira and other locations, the regiment was composed of batteries recruited from numerous counties across New York. The unit served primarily in the Eastern and Western Theaters, with batteries attached to various corps and armies, including the Armies of the Potomac, Virginia, the Cumberland, and Georgia. The regiment is notable for its extensive service, participation in many major campaigns, and the heavy losses sustained by several of its batteries, particularly at Gettysburg and Chancellorsville.

Organization & Service

The 1st New York Artillery was organized at Elmira in the fall of 1861, with batteries mustered into U.S. service from August 30 to November 20, 1861, for a three-year term. The regiment consisted of twelve batteries (A–M, excluding J), each recruited from different regions of New York. Eight batteries departed the state on October 31, 1861, under Colonel Guilford D. Bailey, with the remaining batteries following in November. The regiment’s batteries served independently, attached to various divisions and corps throughout the war.

Throughout its service, the batteries were assigned to the Armies of the Potomac, Virginia, the Cumberland, and Georgia, serving in both field and garrison roles. Batteries participated in major campaigns including the Peninsular Campaign, Pope’s Virginia Campaign, the Maryland Campaign, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Petersburg, the Atlanta Campaign, Sherman’s March to the Sea, and the Carolinas Campaign. At the expiration of the original term, non-veterans were mustered out, while veterans and recruits continued service until final muster out in June 1865. The regiment’s batteries mustered out at various dates and locations in June 1865. Notably, Colonel Bailey and Major David H. Van Valkenburgh were killed in action at Fair Oaks, Virginia, on May 31, 1862.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Peninsular Campaign (Yorktown, Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, Seven Days’ Battles)
• Pope’s Virginia Campaign (Cedar Mountain, Second Bull Run, Groveton, Rappahannock Station)
• Maryland Campaign (South Mountain, Antietam)
• Fredericksburg
• Chancellorsville
• Gettysburg
• Mine Run Campaign
• Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Totopotomy, Bethesda Church
• Petersburg Campaign (assaults, Weldon Railroad, Poplar Grove Church, Fort Stedman, Hatcher’s Run, Five Forks, fall of Petersburg)
• Atlanta Campaign (Resaca, Dallas, Kennesaw Mountain, Peachtree Creek, siege of Atlanta)
• Sherman’s March to the Sea (Savannah, Monteith Swamp, Argyle Island)
• Carolinas Campaign (Averasboro, Bentonville, Raleigh, Bennett’s House)
• Other actions: Chambersburg, Lookout Valley, Missionary Ridge, Bristoe Station, Deep Bottom, White Oak Ridge

Casualties

The 1st New York Artillery sustained a total loss of 6 officers and 95 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded in action. Additional losses occurred from disease and other causes, with individual batteries reporting varying figures. For example, Battery B lost 16 killed or mortally wounded and 10 to disease and other causes; Battery M lost 13 killed in action and 1 officer and 11 men to disease and other causes. Some batteries, such as Battery F, reported no battle casualties but did lose men to disease. For detailed losses by battery, consult the regimental and state reports.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Guilford D. Bailey (killed at Fair Oaks, May 31, 1862)
• Colonel Charles S. Wainwright
• Lieutenant Colonel Henry E. Turner
• Lieutenant Colonel Charles S. Wainwright
• Lieutenant Colonel Edward R. Warner
• Major Charles S. Wainwright
• Major J. Watts De Peyster, Jr.
• Major Robert Fitzhugh
• Major Luther Kieffer
• Major John A. Reynolds
• Major David H. Van Valkenburgh (killed at Fair Oaks, May 31, 1862)
• Major Thomas W. Osborne

Each battery was commanded by its own captain; notable battery commanders included Captains Thomas H. Bates (A), Rufus D. Pettit (B), John W. Tamblin (C), Thomas W. Osborn (D), John Stocum (E), W. R. Wilson (F), John D. Frank (G), Joseph Spratt (H), Michael Wiedrich (I), Lorenzo Crounse (K), John A. Reynolds (L), and George W. Cothran (M).

Regimental Roster

The complete roster of officers and enlisted men who served in the 1st New York Artillery is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster provides names, ranks, enlistment details, and other service information for each battery within the regiment.

To view the full roster, visit the 1st New York Artillery Regimental Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes and parts (see Army of the Potomac, Army of Virginia, Army of the Cumberland, Army of Georgia reports)
• Annual Report of the Adjutant General of the State of New York for the Year 1893, Volume 8
• Dyer, Frederick H. “A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion”
• Fox, William F. “Regimental Losses in the American Civil War”
• Contemporary regimental and battery reports