15th New York Artillery Heavy in the American Civil War

Overview

The 15th New York Artillery (Heavy) was a Union regiment organized in New York City, primarily composed of German immigrants and recruits from New York, Orange, and Sullivan counties. The regiment served as heavy artillery, initially performing garrison duty in the defenses of Washington, D.C., before joining the Army of the Potomac as field artillery in 1864. The unit was active in the Eastern Theater and participated in several major campaigns and battles during the latter part of the Civil War.

This regiment is distinct from any other New York artillery units with different service terms or designations.

Organization & Service

The 15th New York Artillery (Heavy) began organizing in New York City, with Companies A, B, C, D, and E mustered into U.S. service between October 14 and December 19, 1861. These companies initially performed garrison duty at Fort Lyon, Virginia, as part of the defenses of Washington. On September 30, 1863, the 3rd Battalion of Artillery, also recruited in New York City and previously on garrison duty, was transferred to the 15th as Companies A through E. Additional companies joined between August 27, 1863, and January 30, 1864, including a company originally enlisted for the 12th New York Artillery (assigned as Company F) and the 2nd and 34th New York Batteries (transferred on October 14, 1863).

After performing garrison duty until March 1864, the regiment joined the Army of the Potomac at the front and was attached to the 5th Corps, primarily serving with Ayres’ (2nd) Division. The 15th New York Artillery participated in the Overland Campaign, the Siege of Petersburg, and the Appomattox Campaign. The regiment was mustered out under the command of Major Julius Dieckman at Washington, D.C., on August 22, 1865. Notably, the original members of Companies A to E were mustered out upon expiration of their enlistment terms, while the remainder continued in service until the regiment’s final muster out.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Garrison duty in the Defenses of Washington, D.C.
• Wilderness Campaign
• Spotsylvania
• North Anna
• Totopotomoy
• Cold Harbor
• White Oak Swamp
• First Assault on Petersburg
• Weldon Railroad
• Poplar Grove Church
• Hicksford Raid
• Hatcher’s Run
• Appomattox Campaign (including Five Forks, Fall of Petersburg, Appomattox Court House)

Casualties

• Killed and mortally wounded: 8 officers, 148 enlisted men
• Died of disease and other causes: 5 officers, 225 enlisted men
• Total deaths: 13 officers, 373 enlisted men
• Died in the hands of the enemy: 63 enlisted men
• Notable battle losses:
  • Spotsylvania: 160 killed, wounded, and missing (including Maj. Shamberger mortally wounded)
  • Assault on Petersburg (June 1864): 85 killed and wounded
  • Weldon Railroad: 14 killed, 75 wounded, 5 missing
  • White Oak Road: 18 killed, 81 wounded, 11 missing (including Maj. Duysing mortally wounded)
  • Trenches before Petersburg: 83 killed, wounded, and missing
  • Accidental deaths: Several men killed by a magazine explosion at Fort Lyon, June 9, 1863

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Louis Schirmer
• Colonel Michael Weidrich
• Lieutenant Colonel Michael Weidrich
• Lieutenant Colonel Louis Eiche
• Major Emil Duysing
• Major William D. Dickey
• Major Leander Shamberger
• Major Louis Eiche
• Major Calvin Shaffer
• Major Julius Dieckman

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 15th New York Artillery (Heavy), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster provides details on service dates, ranks, and other pertinent information for each member of the regiment.

To view the complete roster, visit the 15th New York Artillery (Heavy) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes 25, 36, 40, 46
• 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 regimental and state histories