7th New York Artillery Heavy in the American Civil War

Overview

The 7th New York Artillery (Heavy), also known as the Albany County Regiment or Seymour Guard, served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Originally organized as the 113th New York Infantry, it was redesignated as heavy artillery in December 1862. The regiment was recruited primarily from Albany County, New York, and mustered into service at Albany on August 18, 1862, for a three-year term. It is recognized by Fox as one of the “three hundred fighting regiments” due to its significant combat losses and active service in both garrison and field operations.

The 7th New York Artillery served in the defenses of Washington, D.C., before being ordered to the front in May 1864, where it participated in major campaigns of the Army of the Potomac. The regiment sustained heavy casualties in several key battles and was among the heavy artillery units with the highest losses in the war.

Organization & Service

The regiment was organized in the summer of 1862 by Colonel Lewis O. Morris and mustered into United States service as the 113th New York Infantry on August 18, 1862, at Albany, New York. On December 19, 1862, it was converted to heavy artillery and redesignated as the 7th New York Artillery (Heavy). Two additional companies were added: one on August 6, 1863, and another on January 19, 1864, bringing the regiment to full strength. All companies were recruited from Albany County.

After mustering, the regiment moved to Washington, D.C., on August 19, 1862, and was assigned to garrison duty in the forts surrounding the capital. The 7th remained on this duty until May 15, 1864, when it was ordered to the front as infantry. The regiment marched out of Washington with 67 officers, 6 non-commissioned staff, and 1,768 enlisted men, joining the Army of the Potomac at Spotsylvania on May 17, 1864. Initially attached to Tyler’s Division, it was soon transferred to Barlow’s Division, and at times served with the Irish Brigade.

The 7th New York Artillery participated in the Overland Campaign, the Siege of Petersburg, and other major operations. On February 22, 1865, it was withdrawn from the front and ordered to Baltimore, Maryland, where it garrisoned Fort McHenry until after the war’s conclusion. On June 26, 1865, members whose terms would expire by October 1, 1865, were mustered out, and the regiment was consolidated into a battalion of four companies under Colonel Richard C. Duryea. This battalion, commanded by Major John F. Mount, was mustered out at Federal Hill, Baltimore, on August 1, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Defenses of Washington, D.C. (August 1862 – May 1864)
• Overland Campaign (May–June 1864)
• Battle of Spotsylvania Court House (May 1864)
• Battle of Totopotomoy Creek (May 1864)
• Battle of Cold Harbor (June 1864)
• Assaults on Petersburg (June 1864)
• Siege of Petersburg (June–September 1864)
• Battle of Reams’ Station (August 1864)
• Garrison Duty, Fort McHenry, Baltimore (February–August 1865)

Casualties

• Killed or mortally wounded: 14 officers, 277 enlisted men (total 291)
• Died of disease and other causes: 4 officers, 378 enlisted men (total 382)
• Total deaths: 673
• Died as prisoners: 2 officers, 214 enlisted men
• During its first 100 days in the field (Spotsylvania to Reams’ Station): 1,254 killed, wounded, and missing
• Cold Harbor (including trenches): 45 killed, 259 wounded, 114 missing (total 418)
• Totopotomoy: 135 killed, wounded, and missing
• Petersburg assaults (June 1864): 501 casualties
• Reams’ Station: 94 casualties

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Lewis O. Morris (killed at Cold Harbor)
• Colonel Joseph S. Conrad
• Colonel Edward A. Springsteed
• Colonel Richard C. Duryea
• Lieutenant Colonel John Hastings
• Lieutenant Colonel Edward A. Springsteed
• Lieutenant Colonel Joseph M. Murphy
• Lieutenant Colonel John F. Mount
• Major Edward A. Springsteed
• Major Samuel A. Anable
• Major E. Willard Smith
• Major Francis Pruyn
• Major John F. Mount
• Major Joseph M. Murphy
• Major Abram Sickles
• Major Charles W. Hobbs

Regimental Roster

The complete roster of the 7th New York Artillery (Heavy), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster provides names, ranks, and service details for those who served in the regiment during its term of service.

To view the full roster, visit the 7th New York Artillery (Heavy) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes 25, 36, 40, 46
• Annual Report of the Adjutant-General of the State of New York, 1862–1865
• Dyer, Frederick H., A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion
• Fox, William F., Regimental Losses in the American Civil War, 1861–1865
• Regimental and county histories of Albany County, New York