4th New York Artillery Heavy in the American Civil War

Overview

The 4th New York Artillery (Heavy) was a Union regiment organized at New York City, drawing its members from across the state. Initially known as Doubleday’s Heavy Artillery, the regiment was mustered into United States service between November 1861 and February 1862. It served primarily as heavy artillery and, later, as infantry in the Eastern Theater, participating in major campaigns with the Army of the Potomac. The regiment was noted for its active engagement in significant battles and for its service in the defenses of Washington, D.C., before joining field operations in 1864.

The 4th New York Artillery (Heavy) was attached to various commands, most notably the II Corps and, in early 1865, the Irish Brigade. The regiment gained a reputation for its fighting ability and sustained heavy casualties in several major engagements.

Organization & Service

The regiment was organized at New York City, with eight companies mustered into service at Port Richmond, Long Island, between November 1861 and February 1862, for a three-year term. Before leaving New York, Company G was consolidated into Company H, and a new Company G was mustered in at Washington, D.C., on October 25, 1862. The 11th Artillery Battalion was assigned to the regiment on June 21, 1863, as Companies I, K, L, and M, completing the regimental organization.

Seven companies departed New York on February 10, 1862, and served in the defenses of Washington, D.C., until 1864. In June 1865, Companies G, H, I, and K of the 8th New York Artillery, along with 176 men from the 126th and 242 from the 111th New York Infantry, were transferred to the regiment. Upon expiration of their service terms, original members (except veterans who reenlisted) were discharged, while companies of veterans and recruits remained in service.

In 1864, the regiment joined the Army of the Potomac at the outset of the Overland Campaign, serving primarily with the II Corps. In February 1865, it was assigned to the Irish Brigade, replacing the 7th New York Heavy Artillery. The 4th New York Artillery participated in the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, North Anna, Totopotomoy, Cold Harbor, the assaults on Petersburg, Weldon Railroad, Deep Bottom, Strawberry Plains, Reams’ Station, Amelia Springs, Deatonsville Road, Farmville, and Appomattox Court House. After the war, it performed garrison duty in De Russy’s Division, XXII Corps, until mustered out at Washington, D.C., on September 26, 1865, under Colonel John C. Tidball.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Defenses of Washington, D.C. (1862–1864)
• Wilderness Campaign (May 1864)
• Battle of Spotsylvania Court House
• North Anna
• Totopotomoy
• Cold Harbor
• Assaults on Petersburg
• Weldon Railroad
• Deep Bottom
• Strawberry Plains
• Reams’ Station
• Amelia Springs
• Deatonsville Road
• Farmville
• Appomattox Court House

Casualties

• Killed or mortally wounded: 8 officers, 117 enlisted men
• Died of disease and other causes: 4 officers, 335 enlisted men
• Died in Confederate prisons: 97
• Total deaths: 464

At Spotsylvania, the regiment suffered 81 casualties (killed, wounded, and missing). In the first assault on Petersburg, losses were 104 killed and wounded. At Reams’ Station, the regiment lost 17 killed, 32 wounded, and 326 missing—the greatest loss of any regiment engaged. During the Appomattox Campaign, losses in killed and wounded totaled 102.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Thomas D. Doubleday
• Colonel Gustavus A. De Russy
• Colonel Henry H. Hall
• Colonel John C. Tidball
• Lieutenant Colonel Henry H. Hall
• Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Allcock
• Major Thomas Allcock
• Major Thomas D. Sears
• Major Seward F. Gould
• Major Ulysses D. Doubleday
• Major Edward F. Young
• Major Frank Williams
• Major Derrick F. Hamlink
• Major William Arthur
• Major Henry T. Lee
• Major Henry E. Richmond

Regimental Roster

The complete roster of the 4th New York Artillery (Heavy), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster provides details on enlistment, service, and, when available, fates of individual soldiers.

To view the full roster, visit the 4th New York Artillery (Heavy) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes and parts covering the Army of the Potomac and XXII Corps
• Dyer, Frederick H. “A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion”
• New York State Adjutant General’s Reports, Annual Reports for the Years 1861–1865
• Fox, William F. “Regimental Losses in the American Civil War”
• Contemporary regimental and state histories of the 4th New York Artillery