Battery D, 1st NY Light Artillery: a Virtual Cemetery

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A Virtual Cemetery created by Louis Mosier

Battery D, 1st NY Light Artillery

Battery "D" of the 1st New York Light Artillery was organized in Elmira, New York and mustered into service on September 6, 1861. The troops left the State for Washington D.C. on October 31, 1861 and served at Camp Barry in the defenses of Washington until March, 1862. That month, the battery was ordered to the Virginia Peninsula where they aided in the Siege of Yorktown from April 5- May 4 and fought in the Battle of Williamsburg on May 5. Marching west towards Richmond, they were engaged at the Battle of Seven Pines on May 31-June 1 and in the Seven Days Battles before Richmond from June 25- July 1. During the Seven Days, the troops fought at Oak Grove on June 25, at Savage Station on June 29, and at Malvern Hill on July 1. The men served at Harrison's Landing until August 16 and in the defenses of Washington, D.C. near Fairfax Seminary, Munson's Hill and at Fairfax Station until November 25. In December, 1862 the battery fought in the Battle of Fredericksburg and participated in General Burnside's failed "Mud March" in late January. The troops then spent the winter at Falmouth and when fighting resumed in the spring they fought at the Battle of Chancellorsville from May 1-5, 1863. From June 11 to July 24 they participated in the Gettysburg Campaign, which concluded with the Battle of Manassas Gap in Virginia on July 23. In October, the battery served in the Bristoe Campaign and was engaged at Kelly's Ford near Rappahannock Station in early November, followed by service in the Mine Run Campaign from November 26- December 2. After spending the winter at Brandy Station, they joined General Grant's Overland Campaign in May, 1864 and fought in the Battles of the Wilderness, Spotsylvania Court House, the North Anna River, Totopotomoy, and Cold Harbor. In mid-June, the unit arrived at Petersburg and took part in siege operations there until April, 1865. During this time, the men saw action at Globe Tavern, Peebles' Farm, and Hatcher's Run. During the final days of the war, the unit fought at White Oak Road, Five Forks, the fall of Petersburg, and Appomattox Court House. There, on April 9, the battery was present for the surrender of General Robert E. Lee and the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia. After marching back to Washington, D.C. the battery was mustered out on June 16, 1865.