9th New York Heavy Artillery Regiment

History

The regiment was originally mustered in on September 8, 1862 as the 138th New York Infantry Regiment, was quickly taken to Washington D.C. to be used in the defenses of the nation's capitol. On December 19, 1862, it was redesignated as the 9th New York Heavy Artillery Regiment. On February 5, 1863, an additional Company M was created within the regiment with the transfer of the 22d N.Y. Volunteer Battery. Company L was organized in Albany between November 4 and December 9, 1863.

Amongst the regimental commanders, William H. Seward, Jr. stands out as he is the son of then Secretary of State William H. Seward.

The Regiment was divided into three battalions. After the formation of the regiment, its duties were the protection of the capitol. After General Ulysses S. Grant took command of the Union Army, most of the troops defending the capitol, including the 9th New York Heavy Artillery, were called to bolster troop numbers. Beginning with in Cold Harbor, two of the battalions joined with the VI Corps and the Army of the Potomac, while one remained behind to guard the capitol.

Timeline

Defense of Washington D.C. (September 1862-May 1864)

May 18, 1864: Joined the Army of the Potomac

Overland Campaign (May through June 1864)

Shenandoah Valley Campaign of 1864 (August 7 – November 28)

Siege of Petersburg (December 1864-April 1865)

Appomattox Campaign (March 28-April 9)

Regiment losses

Regiment losses included 10 Officers and 204 Enlisted men killed or mortally wounded. 247 Enlisted men died by disease. The total deaths were 461 Total, not including wounded casualties.

Post War

After the war, the soldiers of the Regiment not eligible for discharge from service were transferred to the 2nd New York Volunteer Artillery Regiment. They formed four companies, I, K, L and M.