Overview
The 27th New York Independent Battery, also known as the “Buffalo Light Artillery,” served as an artillery unit for the Union Army during the American Civil War. Organized at Buffalo, New York, the battery was mustered into United States service for a three-year term on December 17, 1862. The unit primarily performed garrison duty in the defenses of Washington, D.C., before participating in major campaigns with the Army of the Potomac. The battery was notable for its service in several key battles during the final year of the war.
Organization & Service
The 27th New York Independent Battery was organized at Buffalo and mustered in on December 17, 1862, under the command of Captain John B. Eaton. Initially, the battery was assigned to garrison duty in the defenses of Washington, D.C., where it remained until the spring of 1864. In 1863, during the Gettysburg Campaign and Lee’s invasion of Pennsylvania, the battery was temporarily ordered to Philadelphia for defensive purposes.
In the spring of 1864, the battery joined the 9th Army Corps and moved into active field service. It participated in the Overland Campaign, including the battles of the Wilderness and Spotsylvania. The battery was engaged in the first assault on the works at Petersburg and took part in the mine explosion (Battle of the Crater) in July 1864. In March 1865, the battery was again engaged at Fort Stedman and was present during the final assault on Petersburg in April 1865. The unit was mustered out of service at Fort Porter, Buffalo, on June 22, 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
- Garrison duty, Defenses of Washington, D.C. (1862–1864)
- Philadelphia (during Lee’s invasion of Pennsylvania, 1863)
- Wilderness Campaign (May 1864)
- Battle of Spotsylvania Court House (May 1864)
- First assault on Petersburg (June 1864)
- Battle of the Crater (Mine Explosion, July 1864)
- Battle of Fort Stedman (March 1865)
- Final assault on Petersburg (April 1865)
Casualties
- 2 men mortally wounded
- 5 men wounded
- 2 men missing
- 17 men died of disease and other causes
These figures are based on official reports and may not include all minor casualties.
Field Officers & Commanders
- Captain John B. Eaton
Regimental Roster
The full roster of the 27th New York Independent Battery, including officers and enlisted men who served during its three-year term, is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster provides names, ranks, and service details as recorded in official state and federal records.
To view the complete roster, visit the 27th New York Independent Battery Roster page.
Sources & References
- Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes
- 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