1st Artillery Regiment (Light)

Nickname: Morgan's Light Artillery

For muster in and out dates, see individual batteries below.

The following is taken from New York in the War of the Rebellion, 1st ed. Frederick Phisterer. Albany: J. B. Lyon Company, 1912.

This regiment was organized at Elmira to serve three years; it received its numerical designation October 16, 1861. Eight companies, commanded by Col. Guilford D. Bailey, left the State October 31, 1861, Companies I, K, L and M November 21, 1861. At the expiration of its term of service, those entitled thereto were discharged, and the regiment continued in service. Its service was as light artillery and by batteries in the Armies of the Potomac, Virginia, the Cumberland and Georgia. The field and staff were mustered in the service of the United States at Elmira, October 17, 1861, and honorably discharged and mustered out under Col. Charles S. Wainwright at Elmira, June 21, 1865.

During its service the regiment lost by death, killed in action, 5 officers, 54 enlisted men; of wounds received in action, I officer, 41 enlisted men; of disease and other causes, 5 officers, 161 enlisted men; total, 11 officers, 256 enlisted men; aggregate, 267; of whom 9 enlisted men died in the hands of the enemy.

 

The following is taken from The Union army: a history of military affairs in the loyal states, 1861-65 -- records of the regiments in the Union army -- cyclopedia of battles -- memoirs of commanders and soldiers, Volume II: New York, Maryland, West Virginia and Ohio. Madison, WI: Federal Pub. Co., 1908.

First Artillery.—Cols., Guilford D. Bailey, Charles S. Wainwright; Lieut. -Cols., Henry E. Turner, Charles S. Wainwright, Edward R. Warner; Majs., Charles S. Wainwright, J. Watts De Peyster, Jr., Robert Fitzhugh, Luther Kieffer, John A. Reynolds, David H. Van Valkenburgh, Thomas W. Osborne. This regiment of light artillery was organized at Elmira in the fall of 1861 and was composed of companies recruited in the counties of Oswego, Oneida, Onondaga, Chemung, Steuben, Monroe, Wayne, Erie, Niagara, Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Lewis and Herkimer. It was mustered into the U. S. service from Aug. 30 to Nov. 20, 1861, for three years. Eight companies, under command of Col. Bailey, left the state on Oct. 31, and 1, K, L and M on Nov. 21. Its service was by batteries in the Armies of the Potomac, Virginia, the Cumberland and Georgia. At the expiration of the term of service, the original members, except veterans, were mustered out and the organization composed of veterans and recruits remained in service. Both Col. Bailey and Maj. Van Valkenburgh were killed in action at Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862.

For histories of batteries see individual batteries below.

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1st Regiment Artillery (Light), NY Volunteers | Flank Markers | Civil War

The NYS Battle Flag Collection includes two flank markers carried by the 1st Artillery. Both flags feature painted inscriptions in gold, shadowed in…

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Battery A, 1st Regiment Artillery (Light), NY Volunteers | Guidon | Civil War

The NYS Battle Flag Collection includes one flag carried by Battery A, 1st Regiment Artillery (Light), NY Volunteers, a silk swallowtail guidon in the…

1stArtBat_IMarker2002.131.jpg

Battery I, 1st Regiment Artillery (Light), NY Volunteers | Battery Flag | Civil War

In March 1864, Battery I received this silk, two-sided flag from “friends of the Company.” Exposure to harmful light rays caused the flag’s color to…

1stArtBatIGuidon2004.0075.jpg

Battery I, 1st Regiment Artillery (Light), NY Volunteers | Guidon | Civil War

The NYS Battle Flag Collection also includes a silk, swallowtail guidon carried by Battery I, 1st Regiment Artillery (Light), NY Volunteers. In the…

1stArtBatKGuidon2004.0078_.jpg

Battery K, 1st Regiment Artillery (Light), NY Volunteers | Guidon | Civil War

The NYS Battle Flag Collection includes one flag carried by Battery K, 1st Regiment Artillery (Light), NY Volunteers, a silk swallowtail guidon in the…

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1st Regiment Artillery (Light), NY Volunteers | Regimental Color | Civil War

The yellow, silk regimental color attributed to the 1st Regiment Artillery (Light), New York Volunteers, features the Arms of the State of New York…

NYSMM Online Resources

Battles and Casualties from Phisterer (pdf)
Battles and Casualties from Phisterer (spreadsheet)

Muster Roll

Unit Roster

Newspaper Clippings


Other Resources

This is meant to be a comprehensive list. If, however, you know of a resource that is not listed below, please send an email to ng.ny.nyarng.list.historians@army.mil with the name of the resource and where it is located. This can include photographs, letters, articles and other non-book materials. Also, if you have any materials in your possession that you would like to donate, the museum is always looking for items specific to New York's military heritage. Thank you.

Shelton, William Henry. Letter, 13 May 1865.
4 pages. 
Letter, 13 May 1865, from William Henry Shelton, 1st New York Light Artillery, near Alexandria, Virginia. Topics include troop movements through Alexandria, Fairfax, Fredericksburg, and Richmond, Virginia. He describes destruction in Richmond, ladies in Bowling Green and their views of the “Yankees,” and historical sites he saw in Virginia.
Accession 43353. Located at the Library of Virginia in Richmond, Virginia.
Thank you to Ed Worman for pointing out this resource.

Shelton, William Henry. Letter, 10 June 1863.
8 pages.
Letter, 10 June 1863, from William Henry Shelton (1840-1932?), 1st New York Light Artillery, near White Oak Church, Virginia, to an unidentified female recipient. Shelton apologizes for not writing sooner, gives his opinion of General John Charles Fremont (1813-1890), writes about his unit being under orders to march at any moment, comments on her recent visits with friends, and he asks her to send her photograph.
Accession 43657. Located at the Library of Virginia in Richmond, Virginia.
Thank you to Ed Worman for pointing out this resource.

A threnody, sta viator, heroem calcas! In remembrance of Brevet Colonel U.S. & N.Y. vol. John Watts de Peyster, Junior, died 12th April, 1873, at 4:55 a.m. New York: J. R. Huth, printer, 1874.[Title and imprint from cover.] "In memoriam ! Brief words at the funeral of Brev. Col. John Watts de Peyster, Jr . . . by Rev. G. Lewis Platt," [i]-iv.]

 

Items the museum holds are in bold.