The 2nd Regiment, New York Heavy Artillery 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 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.
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, ^2; 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.
OFFICERS:
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.
ASSIGNMENTS:
The regiment was attached to Military District of Washington, D.C., December 1861 to May 1862. Sturgis' Command, Military District of Washington, to January 1863. Artillery, District of Alexandria, Virginia, to February 1863. Artillery, District of Alexandria, XXII Corps, Department of Washington, to April 1863. 1st Brigade, DeRussy's Division, XXII Corps, to April 1864. 2nd Brigade, DeRussy's Division, XXII Corps, to May 1864. Tyler's Heavy Artillery Division, II Corps, Army of the Potomac, May 16–29, 1864. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, II Corps, to June 1865. 1st Brigade, DeRussy's Division, XXII Corps, to September 1865.
SERVICE:
Duty in the Defenses of Washington until May 1864. Pope's Campaign in northern Virginia August 1862. Action at Bull Run Bridge, Virginia, August 27. Battle of Bull Run, Virginia, August 29–30. Ordered to join Army of the Potomac in the field May 15, 1864. Rapidan Campaign May – June. Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia, May 18–21. Harris Farm or Fredericksburg Road May 19. North Anna River May 23–26. On line of the Pamunkey May 26–28. Totopotomoy May 28–31. Cold Harbor June 1–12. Assault at Cold Harbor June 3. Before Petersburg June 16–18. Siege of Petersburg June 16, 1864, to April 2, 1865. Jerusalem Plank Road June 22–23, 1864. Deep Bottom July 27–28. Mine Explosion at Petersburg, July 30 (reserve). Deep Bottom, August 14–18. Ream's Station August 25. Boydton Plank Road, October 27–28. Reconnaissance to Hatcher's Run December 9–10. Hatcher's Run December 9. Dabney's Mills, Hatcher's Run, February 5–7, 1865. Watkins' House March 25. Appomattox Campaign March 28 – April 9. On line of Hatcher's and Gravelly Runs March 29–30. Hatcher's Run or Boydton Road March 31. White Oak Road March 31. Sutherland Station and fall of Petersburg April 2. Amelia Springs April 5. Sailor's Creek April 6. High Bridge and Farmville April 7. Appomattox Court House April 9. Surrender of Lee and his army. March to Washington, D.C., May 2–12. Grand Review of the Armies May 23. Duty at Washington, D.C., until September.
ROSTERS:
The composite rosters of this unit contains the names of 4718 men.
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