Overview
The 21st New York Independent Battery was an artillery unit organized at Oswego, New York, and mustered into United States service for a three-year term on December 12, 1862, at New York City. Serving in the Union Army, the battery was primarily active in the Department of the Gulf and later in the Mobile Campaign. The unit is noted for its participation in the siege of Port Hudson and the campaign against Mobile, Alabama.
This battery served as part of the reserve artillery and was attached to the 13th Army Corps during significant portions of its service. Its operations included actions in Louisiana and Alabama, with notable engagements and losses during the campaigns.
Organization & Service
The 21st New York Independent Battery was raised and organized at Oswego, New York, and mustered into federal service for three years on December 12, 1862, at New York City under the command of Captain James Barnes. Immediately after mustering, the battery departed New York for New Orleans, Louisiana, joining Union forces in the Department of the Gulf.
In May 1863, the battery was engaged at the Amite River and Civiques Ferry. It then participated in the siege of Port Hudson, Louisiana, taking part in the assaults on May 27 and June 14, 1863. During the action at Plains Store, seven men from the battery were captured. The unit was active at Morganza in July 1863 with the 19th Army Corps and later participated in operations at Morgan’s Ferry and Simsport in October 1863.
Subsequently, the battery was attached to the reserve artillery of the 13th Army Corps. In the spring of 1865, it took part in the campaign against Spanish Fort and Mobile, Alabama, where it sustained casualties. The battery was mustered out of service at Syracuse, New York, on September 8, 1865.
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
- Amite River, Louisiana (May 1863)
- Civiques Ferry, Louisiana (May 1863)
- Siege of Port Hudson, Louisiana (May–July 1863), including assaults on May 27 and June 14
- Plains Store, Louisiana (May 1863)
- Morganza, Louisiana (July 1863)
- Morgan’s Ferry, Louisiana (October 1863)
- Simsport, Louisiana (October 1863)
- Spanish Fort, Alabama (Spring 1865)
- Mobile, Alabama (Spring 1865)
Casualties
- Killed in action: 2 enlisted men
- Died of disease and other causes: 1 officer, 30 enlisted men
- Total deaths: 33
- Captured at Plains Store: 7 men
Field Officers & Commanders
- Captain James Barnes
Regimental Roster
The full roster of the 21st New York Independent Battery (Three Years’ Service) includes the names and service details of its officers and enlisted men. This resource provides valuable information for genealogists and researchers interested in the individuals who served in the unit.
To view the complete roster, visit the 21st New York Independent Battery (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.
Sources & References
- Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Vol. XXVI, Vol. XXXIV, Vol. XXXIX
- Dyer, Frederick H. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion
- New York State Adjutant General’s Report
- Fox, William F. Regimental Losses in the American Civil War