Overview
The 5th New York Independent Battery (First Excelsior Light Artillery) served as a light artillery unit for the Union Army during the American Civil War. Organized in New York City, the battery drew its members primarily from New York, Kings, and Westchester counties. Mustered into United States service on November 8, 1861, for a three-year term, the battery was initially intended to join the Excelsior Brigade. It played a significant role in the Eastern Theater, participating in many major campaigns and battles of the Army of the Potomac and later in the Shenandoah Valley.
Organization & Service
The 5th New York Independent Battery was organized in New York City and mustered in on November 8, 1861, under the command of Captain Elijah D. Taft. The unit departed New York a week later and was stationed in Washington, D.C., during the winter of 1861–62. In the spring of 1862, the battery joined the Artillery Reserve of the Army of the Potomac and participated in the Peninsular Campaign, including the siege of Yorktown, Fair Oaks, New Bridge, and the Seven Days’ Battles.
Following the Peninsular Campaign, the battery was attached to the Artillery Reserve, 5th Corps, and took part in the Maryland Campaign, fighting at Antietam and Boteler’s Ford. Subsequently, as part of the Artillery Brigade, Army of the Potomac, the battery was engaged at Fredericksburg, Pollock’s Mill Creek, Marye’s Heights, Salem Church, Gettysburg, Rappahannock Station, and Mine Run. In May 1864, the battery fought at the Wilderness and Spotsylvania before being ordered to the defenses of Washington, D.C., until July 1864. It then joined General Sheridan’s Shenandoah Valley Campaign, seeing action at Halltown, Opequon, Fisher’s Hill, New Market, and Cedar Creek. The battery was mustered out at Hart’s Island, New York Harbor, on July 6, 1865, under Captain Taft. Upon expiration of the original term, non-veterans were mustered out, while veterans and recruits continued service until final muster.
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
- Siege of Yorktown (April–May 1862)
- Fair Oaks (May 31–June 1, 1862)
- New Bridge
- Seven Days’ Battles (June 25–July 1, 1862)
- Antietam (September 17, 1862)
- Boteler’s Ford
- Fredericksburg (December 11–15, 1862)
- Pollock’s Mill Creek
- Marye’s Heights
- Salem Church
- Gettysburg (July 1–3, 1863)
- Rappahannock Station
- Mine Run Campaign
- Wilderness (May 5–7, 1864)
- Spotsylvania (May 8–21, 1864)
- Defenses of Washington, D.C.
- Halltown
- Opequon (Third Winchester, September 19, 1864)
- Fisher’s Hill (September 21–22, 1864)
- New Market
- Cedar Creek (October 19, 1864)
Casualties
- Killed and died of wounds: 6 enlisted men
- Died of disease and other causes: 13 enlisted men
- Total deaths: 19 enlisted men
Field Officers & Commanders
- Captain Elijah D. Taft
Regimental Roster
The complete roster of soldiers who served in the 5th New York Independent Battery is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster includes names, ranks, and service details as recorded in official sources.
To view the full roster, visit the 5th New York Independent Battery Roster page.
Sources & References
- Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes and parts
- 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 reports and returns of the 5th New York Independent Battery