Overview
The 1st New York Marine Artillery (Three Years’ Service) was a unique regiment organized in New York City for the Union Army during the Civil War. Raised primarily for service on gunboats, the regiment was mustered into United States service between November 12, 1861, and August 18, 1862. While most recruits hailed from New York City, additional men joined from Buffalo, Newark (New Jersey), Chicago (Illinois), and Washington, D.C. The regiment served in the Eastern Theater, notably in Maryland and North Carolina, and was attached to the 18th and 10th Army Corps during its period of service.
Organization & Service
The 1st New York Marine Artillery was organized at New York City under the command of Colonel William A. Howard. The regiment was intended for duty aboard gunboats, and its ten companies were mustered into service over several months, from November 1861 through August 1862. Companies departed New York by detachments during 1861 and 1862, initially serving at Annapolis, Maryland. In August 1862, the regiment moved to North Carolina, where it was attached to the 18th and later the 10th Army Corps.
Throughout its service, detachments of the regiment participated in various expeditions and engagements, including operations at Roanoke Island, Elizabeth City, New Berne, Elizabeth, the siege of Fort Macon, South Mills, Tranter’s Creek, Swift Creek, Neuse River, Washington, near Shiloh, Rawle’s Mills, the expedition to Goldsboro, Kinston, and Folly Island, as well as several minor actions. The regiment was disbanded in March 1863, with its members mustered out of service.
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
- Roanoke Island
- Elizabeth City
- New Berne
- Elizabeth
- Siege of Fort Macon
- South Mills
- Tranter’s Creek
- Swift Creek
- Neuse River
- Washington
- Near Shiloh
- Rawle’s Mills
- Expedition to Goldsboro
- Kinston
- Folly Island
- Other minor actions
Casualties
- Killed in action: 1 officer, 14 enlisted men
- Mortally wounded: 2 enlisted men
- Died of disease and other causes: 1 officer, 72 enlisted men
- Total deaths: 90
Field Officers & Commanders
- Colonel William A. Howard
- Lieutenant Colonel Horace A. Manchester
- Major Charles E. Mears
Regimental Roster
The full roster of the 1st New York Marine Artillery (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster provides names, ranks, and other service details as recorded in official sources.
To view the complete roster, visit the 1st New York Marine Artillery (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.
Sources & References
- Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes
- 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