The 2nd NY Artillery, Company K

The Artillery Representation of Herkimer County

More info from "The Official Records" appears after the rosters, as well as a short roster of Oneida County enlistments and a reading list.

From: "History of Herkimer County, New York" by F.W. Beers & Co., New York. 1879

Company K of the 2nd regiment N. Y. artillery was mainly recruited in Herkimer county.

When first organized, Pliny L. Joslin, of Frankfort, in and about which place the company was principally raised, was captain; Charles Howell, first lieutenant; and Joseph C. Tillinghast, second lieutenant. Subsequently changes were made.

When forming, Company K was stationed on Staten Island, N.Y. About December 1st, 1861 it went from there to Fort Worth, Va., where it remained until the summer of 1862. It then joined General John Pope's command at Manassas, Va., and was engaged in the second battle of Bull Run and in the retreat that followed.

After a few day's duty at Fairfax Station, Va., and vicinity, the company and the regiment to which it belonged were stationed at Fort Corcoran, Va., where they remained doing garrison duty until May, 1864. The 2nd then joined the Army of the Potomac immediately after the battle of the Wilderness, and participated in the battle of Spottsylvania, sustaining severe loss, including one lieutenant killed.

From Spottsylvania throughout the entire campaign of 1864, the 2nd was with the Army of the Potomac, attached to the 1st division, 2nd corps (Hancock), and was engaged in every battle of consequence in which the corps participated. Following the battle of Spottsylvania, and after some of the memorable flank movements, the company, with the regiment, was engaged at Tolopotomoy Creek, Va. Next came more flank movements, and then an engagement at North Anna River. From North Anna the regiment marched to Cold Harbor, where it was in battle and under fire almost constantly for about one week, and sustained heavy loss. It next marched south of the James river and became engaged in the battles in front of Petersburg. The 2nd corps, which included the 2nd regiment, was sent north of the James to make a demonstration that would call rebel troops from Petersburg and weaken its defenses. On this expedition the regiment was engaged in a battle at Deep Bottom and various skirmishes. When ordered from Deep Bottom it marched twenty-five miles in one night, back to Petersburg, arriving there just before the explosion of the mine, and in time to act as a reserve in the battle that then occurred. Shortly afterward the 2nd was sent north of the James again to make demonstrations that would call the rebel troops defending Petersburg to the side of the river.

On this second expedition, after much skirmishing, the regiment became engaged in a severe battle at Strawberry Plains (August 14th), suffering severe loss, including 7 commissioned officers killed and wounded. The loss was a large percentage of those who entered the fight, as the regiment had been much reduced by former marching and fighting. During the early part of the engagement the commanding officer (Major Hogg) was wounded, and the command devolved upon Major Joslin, who won for himself deserved plaudits for his gallantry and efficiency.

Following this battle the brigade to which the 2nd regiment was attached supported General Griggs's cavalry on a raid to within five miles of Richmond, and after considerable skirmishing, fought a warm little battle near Charles City Cross Roads, and lost several killed, wounded, and captured.

After this engagement the 2nd rejoined the corps and was ordered back to Petersburg, and from there immediately to the support of the 5th corps on the Weldon railroad.

The regiment was next engaged in raiding on the Weldon railroad, destroying the same from Ream's Station to the North Carolina line. This completed, the men returned to Ream's station, and were in a severe fight with the rebels, in which about 1,500 prisoners were taken by the latter, including Major Joslin of Company K. These were confined in Libby prison for about two months. The remainder of the regiment went from Ream's Station back to the works in front of Petersburg, and shortly became engaged in the battle of Hatcher's Run.

With this engagement closed the campaign of 1864, so far as this regiment was concerned. During the winter of 1864-5, the regiment was stationed in front of Petersburg.

At the opening of the spring campaign the 2nd was again in the field, and in all the important engagement to the close. It was at Appomattox when Lee surrendered. From there it marched to the defenses of Washington, and did garrison duty until fall, when it was sent to New York and home.

From the records on file in the office of the county clerk of Herkimer county the following names are copied:

Sergeant "Vernam W. Harvey", listed above, was buried in the no-longer-existing Village of Herkimer Cemetery, now a public park. His tombstone said: Vernon W. Harvey, Segt. Co. K. 2nd N.Y. Artillery, enlisted 1861; taken prisoner '64; paroled Feb. '65; died at Annapolis, Md., April 2, 1865, aged 21 years. Other Harveys were buried with him. His epitaph read: "If need be willingly will give my life for my country."

Battery K's roster was typed by Maggie Coletta. As usual, thank you Maggie! For a story about another Herkimer County-born member of Company K, check out Andrew W. Lewis on our Military Roll of Honor and Andrew's profile.

10/25/97: The following general regimental information, which can be used to track the military career and action of your own soldier, was just sent in to us by Al Douglas! This authoritative account from the "Official Records" briefly discusses other 2nd Artillery companies in which Herkimer County men served. The "Official Records" is available at many research libraries and is available on CD-ROM.

SECOND REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY (HEAVY; VETERAN)

(From the U. S. War Department, "The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies", 128 vols. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1880-1901)

Col. John W. Latson received authority from the War Department, July 24, 1861, to recruit a regiment of artillery; of this the National Union Rangers  formed part. Col. Jeremiah Palmer received authority from the Governor of the state to recruit a regiment of artillery, known as Governor Morgan's Light Artillery. August 24th Colonel Latson's authority was revoked, and October 18th these two organizations were consolidated, forming eight companies, and the new organization designated the 2d Regiment of Artillery. Captain Maguire's company of the Latson Artillery became Company A; the companies of Captains Kitching, Hogg, Jones, Klinck, Houseman, Clarke and Smith, became Companies B, C, D,C, F, G and H, respectively. December 5, 1861, there was assigned to the regiment, comleting its organization, the so-called third battalion of the Morgan Artillery  and the Flushing Artillery. The companies of Captains Griffin, Joslin and Halstead, of the Morgan Artillery, became Companies I, K, and M, and the Flushing Artillery, Capt. Thomas L. Robinson, Company L; the men of Company M of the Morgan Artillery were assigned to Companies I and M. The regiment was organized at Staten Island for a service of three years. The companies were mustered in the United States service at Staten Island, A and E October 2; B August 23; C and D Sepetember 18; F, G and H October 15; I and K December 11; L November 18; M December 12, 1861. In June, 1862, a number of Indians, members of Company F, were discharged. November 19, 1863, Battery L, which served detached from the regiment since March, 1862, as a light battery, was permanently detached and became the 34th Battery; it was replaced by a new company in January, 1864. At the expiration of its term of service, those entitled thereto were discharged; and the regiment retained in the service. June 27, 1865, the regiment was consolidated into eight companies, the men of Company I being transferred to Companies A and E; those of K to A, C and F; of L to B, C, D and H; and of M to A, G, and H; and the members of the 9th Artillery, not discharged on the muster-out of their regiment, were transferred to it as Companies I, K, L and M.

The companies were recruited principally:

A: (Company B of John W. Latson's Regiment of Light Artillery, Horse Artillery, 1st Regiment U.S. Volunteers) on Staten Island
B: (1st Regiment Heavy Artillery) on Staten Island
C, D, E and F: at New York City
G: at Utica
H: (Carthage Battery) at Waterloo and Carthage
I: formed partly of Latson's Light Artillery and the Morgan Artillery at New York City and Norwich
K: (Morgan Artillery) at Frankfort, Mohawk, Tompkinsville and Herkimer
L: (Flushing or Hamilton Light Artillery originally Artillery Company, 15th Militia) at Flushing
M: (Morgan Artillery) at Utica, Little Falls, Trenton Falls, Russia, Taberg, Camboy, Holland Patent, Rochester and Sand Bank

The second Company L was recruited principally at Frankfort, Schuyler, Hamilton, German Flats, Richfield, Warren, Utica, Exeter, Camden, Stark, Otsego, Burlington, Norwich and Watertown.

The first eight companies left the State November 7, 1861; Company L December 2d; and Companies I, K and M December 12, 1861; and the regiment (except first Company L for which see 34th Battery) served at and near Washington, D.C., in the Military District of Washington, from March, 1862; in Sturgis' Brigade, Military District of Washington, from May, 1862; in the Reserve Corps, Army of Virginia, from June, 1862; in the defenses of Washington, form September 1862; in the artillery defenses of Alexandria, from January, 1863; and in the 22d Corps from February, 1863; in Tyler's Artillery Division, 2d Corps, Army of the Potomac, from May 18, 1864; in the 2d Brigade, 1st Division, 2d Corps, from May 29, 1864; in the 1st Brigde, 1st Division, 2d corps, from July, 1864; in the 1st Brigade, DeRussy's Division, 22d Corps, from June, 1865, as heavy artillery and infantry. September 29, 1865, commanded by Col. Joseph N. G. Whistler, it was honorably discharged and mustered out at Washington, D. C.

During its service the regiment lost by death, killed in action, 5 officers, 105 enlisted men; of wounds received in action, 5 officers, 101 enlisted men; of disease and other causes, 250 enlisted men; total, 10 officers, 456 enlisted men; aggregate 466; of whom 71 enlisted men died in the hands of the enemy; and it took part in the following engagements, etc.:

1862:

• General Pope's Campaign, VA - Aug. 16 - Sept. 2
• Bull Run Bridge - Aug. 27

1864:

• Spotsylvania Court House, VA - May 16 - 21
• Harris House - May 19
• Milford Station - May 21
• North Anna, VA - May 22 - 26
• Totopotomoy, VA - May 27 - 31
• Cold Harbor, VA - June 1 - 12
•    Second Assault - June 3
•    Cold Harbor - June 6
• Before Petersburg, VA - June 15 - (April 2, 1865)
• Assault of Petersburg, VA - June 15 - 19
• Weldon Railroad, VA - June 21 - 23
• Deep Bottom, VA - July 27 - 29
• Strawberry Plains, VA - Aug. 14 - 18
• Ream's Station, VA - Aug. 25
• Hatcher's Run, VA - Dec. 8 - 9

1865:

• Petersburg, VA - March 25
• Appomattox Campaign, VA - March 29 - April 9
• White Oak Ridge - March 29- April 9
• Fall of Petersburg - April 2
• Deatonsville - April 6
• High Bridge - April 7
• Farmville - April 7
• Appomattox Court House - April 9

The following men were also members of the 2nd NY Artillery, company unknown, and enlisting in neighboring townships in Oneida County. This list was abstracted from a large multi-regimental list in "History of the Town of Paris and the Valley of the Sauquoit" by Henry C. Rogers, Utica, NY: White & Floyd, Printers, 1881.

John Anderson, Clayville, private, Jan. 4, 1864
John Burk, Paris, private, April 8, 1864
Peter Bray, Paris, private, April 8, 1864
Leander Collins, Clayville, private, Jan. 4, 1864
William R. Helmore, Sauquoit, private, Dec. 28, 1863
Wiliam Henson, Clayville, private, Jan. 4, 1864
Samuel A. Kimball, Paris, private, Dec. 15 1862
Adam King, Clayville, private, Jan. 4, 1864
John McGinniss, Paris, private, April 8, 1864
Francis Riley, Paris, private, April 8, 1864
John Stedman, Clayville, private, Jan. 4, 1864 Nathan L. Thomas, Clayville, private, Jan. 1, 1864
John M. Tyler, Clayville, 1st Lieutenant, Sept. 26, 1861

Andrew GILLETTE, d. 3 May 1909 at ae 68, Battery L. 2nd NY Hvy. Art., is buried in West Schuyler Cemetery.

Further information about this artillery regiment is in:

• Photo of Arlington, Va. Gun crew of Company K, 2d New York Artillery, in Fort C. F. Smith on Library of Congress Site
• Dyer, Frederick H. A, Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Vol. 2. Dayton, OH: Morningside, 1979, p. 1383
• New York State. Adjutant General's Office. Annual Report for the Year 1896, No. 8. Albany, NY: Wynkoop, Hallenbeck, Crawford, 1897, pp. 473-1085; alphabetical roster of enlisted men.
• Phisterer, Frederick, New York in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865, Vol. 2. Albany,NY: Weed and Parsons, 1890, pp. 1235-1264; history and roster of officers.
• Armes, George A., "Ups and Down of an Army Officer" Washington, D.C.: publisher?,1900
• Miller, Delavan S., "Drum Taps in Dixie: Memories of a Drummer Boy, 1861-1865", Watertown, NY: Hungerford-Holbrook, 1905.
• Roback, Henry, "The Veteran Volunteers of Herkimer and Otsego Counties in the War of the Rebellion: Being a History of the 152nd N.Y.V. With Scenes, etc., Which Occurred in the 34th N.Y., 97th N.Y., 121st N.Y., 2d N.Y. Heavy Artillery, and the 1st and 2d N.Y. Mounted Rifles", Utica, NY: L. C. Childs, 1888.

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