2nd New York Artillery in the American Civil War

Overview

The 2nd New York Artillery (also known as Gov. Morgan’s 2nd Regiment U.S. Light Artillery or Palmer’s Artillery) served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Organized as a heavy artillery regiment, it was mustered into United States service at Staten Island, New York, between August 22 and December 12, 1861, for a three-year term. The regiment drew its companies primarily from New York, Oneida, and Herkimer counties. It played a significant role in the defenses of Washington, D.C., and later in major campaigns of the Army of the Potomac.

The regiment is notable for its heavy combat losses, especially during the Overland and Petersburg campaigns. It was among the nine heavy artillery regiments whose losses in killed and died of wounds exceeded 200 men, ranking eighth in this category. The 2nd New York Artillery was mustered out of service at Washington, D.C., on September 29, 1865.

Organization & Service

Eight companies of the 2nd New York Artillery were recruited prior to October 18, 1861, by Colonels John W. Latson and Jeremiah Palmer. On December 5, 1861, the Morgan and Flushing Artillery companies were added, completing the regiment’s organization. The regiment was mustered into service by companies at Staten Island between August 22 and December 12, 1861, for three years. The first eight companies left New York State on November 7, 1861, with the remaining companies following about a month later.

Initially, the regiment was assigned to garrison duty in the defenses of Washington, D.C., manning Forts Ward, Worth, and Blenker on the Virginia side of the Potomac River. In August 1862, the regiment saw action at Bull Run Bridge during the enemy’s raid on Manassas, performing a rear-guard action that aided the retreat of Union forces. In June 1862, thirty-four Oneida Indians, original members of Company F, were discharged. The original Battery L, which had served detached as light artillery, became the 34th New York Battery in November 1863 and was replaced by a new battery in January 1864.

Upon the expiration of the original three-year term, veterans and recruits continued service. On June 27, 1865, the regiment was consolidated into eight companies, and four companies from the 9th New York Artillery were transferred in as Companies I, K, L, and M. The regiment was assigned to Tyler’s Artillery Division, II Corps, Army of the Potomac, on May 18, 1864, and later served in Barlow’s Division of the same corps. The 2nd New York Artillery participated in the Overland Campaign, the Siege of Petersburg, and the Appomattox Campaign, mustering out at Washington, D.C., on September 29, 1865, under the command of Colonel Joseph N. G. Whistler.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Defenses of Washington, D.C. (1861–1864)
• Bull Run Bridge (August 1862)
• Grant’s Overland Campaign (May–June 1864)
• Spottsylvania Court House
• North Anna
• Totopotomy
• Cold Harbor
• First Assault on Petersburg
• Weldon Railroad
• Deep Bottom
• Strawberry Plains
• Reams’ Station
• Hatcher’s Run
• Fort Stedman
• White Oak Ridge
• Fall of Petersburg
• Deatonsville
• High Bridge
• Farmville
• Appomattox Court House

Casualties

• Killed and mortally wounded: 216 (including 10 officers)
• Died of disease, accidents, in prison, etc.: 250 enlisted men
• Total deaths: 466
• Wounded (including mortally wounded): 27 officers and 718 enlisted men (including 106 mortally wounded)
• Died as prisoners: 71 enlisted men

Casualty figures are based on official reports and regimental records. Losses were especially severe at Spottsylvania (117 killed, wounded, and missing), North Anna and Totopotomy (95), Cold Harbor (215), first assaults on Petersburg (306), Strawberry Plains (60), Reams’ Station (72), and the final assault on Petersburg (104). At Petersburg, June 17, 1864, the regiment lost 54 killed in a single engagement.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Jeremiah Palmer
• Colonel Gustave Wagner
• Colonel Milton Cogswell
• Colonel Joseph N. G. Whistler
• Lieutenant Colonel Oscar F. Hulser
• Lieutenant Colonel Henry B. Burtnett
• Lieutenant Colonel Henry P. Roche
• Lieutenant Colonel George Hogg
• Major Henry P. Roche
• Major Albert Bronson
• Major Thomas McGuire
• Major Benjamin Van Raden
• Major Alexander Doul
• Major George S. Dawson
• Major Edward A. Selkirk
• Major William A. McKay
• Major Pliny L. Joslyn
• Major Thomas J. Clark
• Major Sullivan B. Lamoreaux
• Major Francis R. Humphreys

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 2nd New York Artillery, including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster provides names, ranks, and service details for those who served in the regiment.

To view the complete roster, visit the 2nd New York Artillery 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
• Contemporary regimental and state histories