11th New York Independent Battery in the American Civil War

Overview

The 11th New York Independent Battery, also known as the Havelock Battery, served as an artillery unit for the Union Army during the American Civil War. Organized in New York and mustered into U.S. service for three years on January 15, 1862, the battery was formed by consolidating two incomplete organizations: the Flying Artillery, recruited at Albany under the Young Men’s Christian Association, and a battery recruited by Capt. Robert C. Warmington at Ashtabula, Ohio, and Buffalo, New York. The battery continued in service as a veteran organization after the expiration of its original term.

The 11th New York Independent Battery participated in major campaigns and battles in the Eastern Theater, including Pope’s Virginia campaign, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the Overland Campaign, Petersburg, and the Appomattox Campaign. The unit was mustered out at Albany on June 13, 1865.

Organization & Service

The 11th New York Independent Battery was officially organized on January 15, 1862, by consolidating the Flying Artillery from Albany and a battery recruited in Ohio and Buffalo. The unit mustered into federal service for a three-year term and departed New York on January 17, 1862, under the command of Captain Albert Von Putkammer. Initially stationed in Washington, D.C., the battery was attached to the Reserve Corps of the Army of Virginia and participated in Pope’s Virginia campaign, where it suffered losses at Manassas and Bull Run Bridge.

In November 1862, the battery moved with the 3rd Corps to Falmouth, Virginia, joining Burnside’s army and taking part in the Battle of Fredericksburg. Subsequently, as part of the artillery brigade of the 3rd Corps, it was heavily engaged at Chancellorsville. At Gettysburg, the battery fought attached to Battery K, 1st New York Artillery. The unit was also active in the Mine Run campaign.

Throughout 1864, the 11th New York Independent Battery participated in all major battles of Grant’s Overland Campaign, including the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, and the initial assault on Petersburg. It also saw action at the Weldon Railroad, Deep Bottom, and Strawberry Plains. In 1865, the battery was engaged in the final operations against Petersburg and took part in the Appomattox Campaign, including actions at White Oak Ridge, Deatonsville Road, Farmville, and Appomattox Court House. The battery was mustered out of service on June 13, 1865, at Albany, under the command of Captain George W. Davy.

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

  • Pope’s Virginia Campaign (including Manassas and Bull Run Bridge)
  • Fredericksburg
  • Chancellorsville
  • Gettysburg
  • Mine Run Campaign
  • Overland Campaign (Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor)
  • First Assault on Petersburg
  • Weldon Railroad
  • Deep Bottom
  • Strawberry Plains
  • Final Petersburg Operations
  • Appomattox Campaign (White Oak Ridge, Deatonsville Road, Farmville, Appomattox Court House)

Casualties

  • Killed in action: 6
  • Died of wounds received in action: 2
  • Died of disease and other causes: 13
  • Total losses in key engagements: 23 at Manassas and Bull Run Bridge; 11 at Chancellorsville (killed, wounded, and missing); 5 wounded at Gettysburg; 4 killed and wounded at Cold Harbor; 3 at the assault on Petersburg; 1 at Strawberry Plains

Field Officers & Commanders

  • Captain Albert Von Putkammer
  • Captain John E. Burton
  • Captain James T. Wyatt
  • Captain George W. Davy
  • Captain Robert C. Warmington (recruiting officer)

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 11th New York Independent Battery, including officers and enlisted men who served during its term, is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster provides names, ranks, and service details as recorded in official state and federal records.

To view the complete roster, visit the 11th New York Independent Battery Roster page.

Sources & References

  • Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes relevant to Army of Virginia, Army of the Potomac, and Appomattox Campaigns
  • 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 wartime reports and regimental returns
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