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2nd New York Artillery

Online Books:
2nd New York Artillery Soldier Roster - Annual Report of the Adjutant General of the State of New York For the Year 1893, Volume 8     View the Entire Book

Regimental History
Second New York Artillery. — Cols., Jeremiah Palmer, Gustave Wagner, Milton Cogswell, Joseph N. G. Whistler; Lieut.-Cols., Oscar F. Hulser, Henry B. Burtnett, Henry P. Roche, Gustave Wagner, Jeremiah Palmer, George Hogg; Majs., Henry P. Roche, Albert Bronson, Thomas McGuire, George Hogg, Benjamin Van Raden, Alexander Doul, George S. Dawson, Edward A. Selkirk, William A. McKay, Pliny L. Joslyn, Thomas J. Clark, Oscar F. Hulser, Sullivan B. Lamoreaux, Francis R. Humphreys. This regiment was known as Gov. Morgan's 2nd regiment U. S. light artillery, or Palmer's artillery. Eight of its companies were recruited prior to Oct. 18, 1861, by Cols. John W. Latson and Jeremiah Palmer, and to these were added on Dec. 5, 1861, the Morgan and the Flushing artillery, completing the regimental organization. The companies were raised in the counties of New York, Oneida and Herkimer and the regiment was organized at Staten island, where it was mustered into the U. S. service by companies, between Aug. 22 and Dec. 12, 1861, for three years. Thirty-four Indians of the Oneida tribe, original members of Co. F, were discharged in June, 1862. Original Battery L, which had served detached as light artillery, became the 34th Battery (q. v.) in Nov., 1863, and was replaced by a new battery in Jan., 1864. On the expiration of their term of service the original members were mustered out, and the regiment, composed of veterans and recruits, remained in service. On June 27, 1865, it was consolidated into eight companies, and four companies of the 9th N. Y. artillery were transferred to it as Cos. I, K, L and M. The first eight companies left the state on Nov. 7, 1861, and the remaining companies about a month later. Early in the war the regiment garrisoned Forts Ward, Worth and Blenker — the advanced line of Washington defenses on the Virginia side of the Potomac. At the time of the enemy's raid upon Manassas in Aug., 1862, it did splendid service at Bull Run bridge and was the means of saving the remainder of Gen. Taylor's New Jersey brigade, holding the enemy in check while the New Jersey troops and the 12th Pa. cavalry made good their retreat. Its loss in this action was 1 killed, 6 wounded and 53 missing. The regiment fought bravely during Grant's campaign of 1864 and during the final Appomattox campaign. It was assigned to Tyler's artillery division, 2nd corps, on May 18, 1864, and afterwards served in Barlow's division of the same corps. It took part in the engagements at Spottsylvania, the North Anna, Totopotomy, Cold Harbor, first assault on Petersburg, Weldon railroad, Deep Bottom, Strawberry Plains, Reams' station, Hatcher's run, Fort Stedman, White Oak ridge, fall of Petersburg, Deatonsville, High bridge, Farmville and Appomattox Court House. Its losses were particularly heavy at Spottsylvania — 117 killed, wounded and missing. At the Totopotomy and North Anna it lost 95 killed, wounded and missing; at Cold Harbor 215; at the first assaults on Petersburg, 306; at Strawberry Plains, 60; at Reams' Station, 72; and during the final assault on Petersburg, 104. There were nine heavy artillery regiments whose loss in killed and died of wounds exceeded 200, among which the 2nd N. Y. ranked eighth. In the assault on Petersburg, June 17, 1864, the 2nd lost 54 killed, which is one of the most remarkable losses sustained by a heavy artillery regiment in any one engagement during the war. Its total losses were 216 killed and mortally wounded, 10 of whom were officers; 250 enlisted men died of disease, accidents, in prison, etc.; total deaths, 466. There were 27 officers and 718 enlisted men wounded (including 106 mortally wounded) and 71 enlisted men died as prisoners. It was mustered out at Washington, Sept. 29, 1865, commanded by Col. Whistler.

Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing Company, 1908 - Volume 2

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