Overview
The 33rd New York Independent Battery was an artillery unit organized in New York during the Civil War. Recruited from Buffalo, Rochester, Lockport, and Elmira, the battery was mustered into United States service at Elmira on September 4, 1863, for a three-year term. Serving with the Union Army, the battery operated primarily in the Eastern Theater and participated in significant operations around Petersburg and Richmond, Virginia.
This unit was commanded by Captain Algar M. Wheeler and was notable for its service in the trenches before Petersburg and its involvement in several key engagements during the final year of the war.
Organization & Service
The 33rd New York Independent Battery was organized at Elmira, New York, and mustered in on September 4, 1863. The following day, the battery departed New York and was stationed in Washington, D.C., until April 1864. At that time, it was assigned to the 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 10th Army Corps.
In May 1864, the battery took part in the operations against Petersburg and Richmond, including actions at Drewry’s Bluff and Bermuda Hundred. It participated in the assault on Petersburg in June 1864 and remained in the trenches there until the end of the war. In August 1864, the battery was stationed at Fort Pocahontas. Beginning in January 1865, it was attached to Ferrero’s Division in the defenses of Bermuda Hundred. The battery took part in the final assault on Petersburg on April 2, 1865, and was mustered out of service at Petersburg on June 25, 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
- Operations against Petersburg and Richmond (May 1864–April 1865)
- Drewry’s Bluff (May 1864)
- Bermuda Hundred (May 1864)
- Assault on Petersburg (June 1864)
- Trench duty before Petersburg (June 1864–April 1865)
- Fort Pocahontas (August 1864)
- Defenses of Bermuda Hundred (January–April 1865)
- Final assault on Petersburg (April 2, 1865)
Casualties
During its service, the 33rd New York Independent Battery lost 1 officer and 12 enlisted men to disease and other non-combat causes. No additional casualty figures are reported in primary sources.
Field Officers & Commanders
- Captain Algar M. Wheeler
Regimental Roster
The full roster of the 33rd 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 33rd New York Independent Battery Roster page.
Sources & References
- Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Vol. XXXVI, XL, XLVI
- 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