2nd New York Independent Battery in the American Civil War

Overview

The 2nd New York Independent Battery, also known as Blenker’s Battery or Light Battery A, 1st Artillery, served as an artillery unit for the Union Army during the American Civil War. Organized in August 1861 in the defenses of Washington, D.C., the battery was composed primarily of men transferred from the 8th and 29th New York Infantry and additional recruits from Brigadier General Blenker’s division. The battery was mustered into United States service for a two-year term on August 16, 1861, and received its numerical designation from the State of New York on December 7, 1861.

The 2nd New York Independent Battery served in the Eastern Theater, participating in several campaigns and engagements, including actions in the Shenandoah Valley, the Virginia campaigns, and the Battle of Chancellorsville. The battery was mustered out in June 1863, with remaining men transferred to Battery I, 1st New York Light Artillery.

Organization & Service

The battery originated from the artillery company of the 8th New York Militia, whose term of service expired in July 1861. Its guns were left with the Army of Northeastern Virginia and manned during the First Battle of Bull Run by detachments from the 8th and 29th New York Infantry, mainly Company H of the 29th, under Captain Charles Bookwood. In August 1861, the battery was reorganized in Washington, D.C., and became known by several synonyms, including Blenker’s Battery and Light Battery A, 1st Artillery. Men from the 8th and 29th New York Infantry were formally transferred to the battery, and additional personnel from Blenker’s division joined the unit.

Commanded initially by Captain Louis Schirmer, the battery was mustered into federal service for two years on August 16, 1861. It received its official designation as the 2nd New York Independent Battery on December 7, 1861. The battery served with Blenker’s division in the Mountain Department in June 1862, engaging at Strasburg, Woodstock, Mount Jackson, Edenburg, and Cross Keys. Following these actions, the battery was assigned to the 11th Corps and participated in General Pope’s Virginia campaign, including the Second Battle of Bull Run. In May 1863, the battery fought at Chancellorsville with the 2nd Division, 11th Corps, sustaining no casualties. During the Gettysburg Campaign, the battery was on detached service, and Lieutenant Theodore Blume was killed on the first day of the battle. On June 6, 1863, members not entitled to discharge were transferred to Battery I, 1st New York Light Artillery, and the remainder were mustered out at New York City on June 13, 1863.

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

  • Defenses of Washington, D.C. (1861–1862)
  • Shenandoah Valley operations (Strasburg, Woodstock, Mount Jackson, Edenburg, Cross Keys) – June 1862
  • Pope’s Virginia Campaign, including Second Battle of Bull Run – August 1862
  • Battle of Chancellorsville – May 1863
  • Gettysburg Campaign (detached service) – July 1863

Casualties

  • Killed or mortally wounded: 5
  • Died of disease: 5
  • Total known losses: 10

Field Officers & Commanders

  • Captain Louis Schirmer
  • Captain Hermann Jahn
  • Lieutenant Theodore Blume (killed at Gettysburg, July 1, 1863)
  • Captain Charles Bookwood (commanded during First Bull Run, as part of 29th NY Infantry detachment)

Regimental Roster

The complete roster of the 2nd New York Independent Battery, including officers and enlisted men who served during its two-year term, is available for genealogical and research purposes. The roster provides names, ranks, and service details as recorded in state and federal records.

To view the full roster, visit the 2nd New York Independent Battery Roster page.

Sources & References

  • Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Vol. XII, XIII, XXV
  • New York State Adjutant General’s Report, annual volumes (1861–1863)
  • Dyer, Frederick H., A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion
  • Fox, William F., Regimental Losses in the American Civil War
  • Phisterer, Frederick, New York in the War of the Rebellion
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