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15th New York Heavy Artillery

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Muster In: Originally organized as 3rd Battalion German Heavy Artillery at New York City October to December, 1861. Left State for Washington, D.C., December 19, 1861.1
Muster Out: August 22, 18652

Commander(s):
Colonel Louis Schirmer
Colonel Louis Schirmer - 15th New York Heavy Artillery3

Lieutenant Colonel Michael Wiedrich
Lieutenant Colonel Michael Wiedrich 15th New York Heavy Artillery4

Major Louis Eiche
Commander Image

Major Julius Dieckmann
Commander Image

Captain William D. Dickey (commander of Company M)
WilliamDDickey15thNYHA5

First Offensive Order of Battle: Third Brigade | Second Division | V Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army6,7

  • Commander:
    • Colonel Louis Schirmer (June 15-18, 1864) (wounded June 18, 1864)8
    • Lieutenant Colonel Michael Wiedrich (mid-late June 1864)9
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons: U.S. model 1840 Rifles (.54 caliber) (June 30, 1864)10
  • Note: Company F of the 15th New York Heavy Artillery under Captain Calvin Shaffer was serving as the Artillery Park for the Army of the Potomac during this time.11

Second Offensive Order of Battle: Third Brigade | Second Division | V Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army12,13

  • Commander: Lieutenant Colonel Michael Wiedrich (June 30, 1864)14
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons: U.S. model 1840 Rifles (.54 caliber) (June 30, 1864)15
  • Note: Company F of the 15th New York Heavy Artillery under Captain Calvin Shaffer was serving as the Artillery Park for the Army of the Potomac during this time.16

Third Offensive Order of Battle: Third Brigade | Second Division | V Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army17,18

  • Commander: Lieutenant Colonel Michael Wiedrich (July 31, 1864)19
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:
  • Note: Company F of the 15th New York Heavy Artillery under Captain Calvin Shaffer was serving as the Artillery Park for the Army of the Potomac during this time.20,21

Fourth Offensive Order of Battle:

Third Brigade | Second Division | V Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army (August 1-20, 1864)22,23

First Brigade | Second Division | V Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army (August 20-31, 1864)24

  • Commander: Lieutenant Colonel Michael Wiedrich (August 18 and 31, 1864) (flesh wound August 18, 1864)25,26
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:
  • Note: Company F of the 15th New York Heavy Artillery was serving as the Artillery Park for the Army of the Potomac during this time. (need source)

Fifth Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | Second Division | V Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army27,28

  • Commander:
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:
  • Note: Company F of the 15th New York Heavy Artillery was serving as the Artillery Park for the Army of the Potomac during this time.29

Sixth Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | Second Division | V Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army30,31

  • Commander: Lieutenant Colonel Michael Wiedrich (October 31, 1864)32
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:
  • Note: Company F of the 15th New York Heavy Artillery was serving as the Artillery Park for the Army of the Potomac during this time. (Need source)

Seventh Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | Second Division | V Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army33,34

  • Commander: Lieutenant Colonel Michael Wiedrich (December 31, 1864)35
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:
  • Note: Company F of the 15th New York Heavy Artillery under Captain Calvin Shaffer was serving as the Artillery Park for the Army of the Potomac during this time.36
  • Note: This regiment participated in Warren’s Stony Creek, or “Apple Jack” Raid to Belfield and Hicksford, Virginia from December 7-12, 1864.37

Eighth Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | Second Division | V Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army38,39,40

  • Commander:
    • Lieutenant Colonel Michael Wiedrich (temporarily commanded the First Brigade while Bvt. Brigadier General Frederick Winthrop was away on leave starting on February 15, 1865)(January 31-February 15, 1865)41,42
    • Major Julius Dieckmann (February 28, 1865)43
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:
  • Note: This unit is listed in the casualty returns for the Battle of Hatcher’s Run, February 5-7, 1865, implying it was present during the Eighth Offensive and the battle.44
  • Note: Company F of the 15th New York Heavy Artillery under Captain Calvin Shaffer was serving as the Artillery Park for the Army of the Potomac during this time.45,46

Ninth Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | Second Division | V Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army47,48

  • Commander:
    • Lieutenant Colonel Michael Wiedrich (wounded April 1)(March 31-April 1, 1865)49,50
    • Major Louis Eiche (April 1-2, 1865)51,52,53
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:

15th NYHA, Co. M

Artillery Brigade | V Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army54,55

  • Commander: Captain William D. Dickey (March 31, 1865)56
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:

Dyer’s/Sifakis’ Compendium Info:
Siege of Petersburg Battles57:

  • Before Petersburg June 16-18.
  • Siege of Petersburg June 16, 1864, to April 2, 1865.
  • Weldon Railroad June 22-23, 1864.
  • Mine Explosion, Petersburg, July 30 (Reserve).
  • Six-Mile House, Weldon Railroad, August 18-21.
  • Poplar Springs Church, Peeble’s Farm, September 29-October 2.
  • Boydton Plank Road, Hatcher’s Run October 27-28.
  • Dabney’s Mills, Hatcher’s Run, February 5-7, 1865.
  • Appomattox Campaign March 28-April 9.
  • Gravelly Run March 29.
  • Boydton Road and White Oak Road March 31.
  • Five Forks April 1.
  • Fall of Petersburg April 2.
  • Pursuit of Lee April 3-9.
  • Appomattox Court House April 9.
  • Surrender of Lee and his army.

Bibliography:

    Siege of Petersburg Documents Which Mention This Unit:

    Links:

    Sources:

    1. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3) ↩
    2. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3) ↩
    3. Image courtesy of Ron Mansfield, who maintains The 15th Regiment New York Heavy Artllery web site, from his personal collection and may not be used with his express written consent.  All rights reserved. ↩
    4. Image courtesy of Ron Mansfield, who maintains The 15th Regiment New York Heavy Artllery web site, which he found at the National Archives.  This image appears to be in the public domain. ↩
    5. Image from New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs: Military History site. ↩
    6. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 1 (Serial Number 80), p. 224 ↩
    7. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 2 (Serial Number 81), p. 546 ↩
    8. Mansfield, Ronald. “Col Louis Schirmer (1832 – ).” Find A Grave, 8 June 2011. Web. 12 Feb. 2013. <http://www.findagrave.com/> ↩
    9. Mansfield, Ronald. “Col Michael Wiedrich (1820-1899).” Find A Grave, 9 March 2010. Web. 12 Feb. 2013. <http://www.findagrave.com/>: I am unsure if Wiedrich took over immediately after Colonel Schirmer was wounded.  He doesn’t discuss this at all in his report of operations in June-July 1864.  Hat tip to Ron Mansfield, who maintains The 15th Regiment New York Heavy Artillery web site. ↩
    10. Volume 14 (Ordnance Returns for the Second Quarter, April-June, 1864); 15th New York Heavy Artillery Entry, Page 13; Summary Statements of Quarterly Returns of Ordnance and Ordnance Stores on Hand in Regular and Volunteer Army Organizations, 1862-1867, 1870-1876. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M1281, Roll 7); Records of the Office of the Chief of Ordnance, 1797-1969, Record Group 156; National Archives Building, Washington, D.C. ↩
    11. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 2 (Serial Number 81), page 542 ↩
    12. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 1 (Serial Number 80), p. 224 ↩
    13. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 2 (Serial Number 81), p. 546 ↩
    14. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 2 (Serial Number 81), p. 546 ↩
    15. Volume 14 (Ordnance Returns for the Second Quarter, April-June, 1864); 15th New York Heavy Artillery Entry, Page 13; Summary Statements of Quarterly Returns of Ordnance and Ordnance Stores on Hand in Regular and Volunteer Army Organizations, 1862-1867, 1870-1876. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M1281, Roll 7); Records of the Office of the Chief of Ordnance, 1797-1969, Record Group 156; National Archives Building, Washington, D.C. ↩
    16. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 2 (Serial Number 81), page 542 ↩
    17. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 1 (Serial Number 80), page 255 ↩
    18. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 3 (Serial Number 82), page 732 ↩
    19. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 3 (Serial Number 82), page 732 ↩
    20. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 1 (Serial Number 80), page 251 ↩
    21. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 3 (Serial Number 82), page 729 ↩
    22. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 1 (Serial Number 87), page 124: “Return of Casualties in the Union Forces (August 1864)” ↩
    23. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 2 (Serial Number 88), page 345: “Special Orders, No. 45. Hdqrs. Second Division, Fifth Corps, August 20, 1864. 1. The Fifteenth Regiment New York Artillery is hereby assigned temporarily to the First Brigade, and the commanding officer of the regiment will report without delay to Col. Frederick Winthrop, commanding brigade. By command of Brigadier-General Ayres: GEO. L. CHOISY, First Lieutenant, Aide-de-Camp, and Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen.” Hat tip to 15th New York Heavy Artillery historian Ron Mansfield, who provided me this source before I ever had a chance to read through OR Vol XLII, Part 2. ↩
    24. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 2 (Serial Number 88), page 615: “Organization of the Army of the Potomac…August 31, 1864” ↩
    25. Mansfield, Ronald. “Col Michael Wiedrich (1820-1899).” Find A Grave, 9 March 2010. Web. 12 Feb. 2013. <http://www.findagrave.com/>: I am unsure if Wiedrich was able to maintain command or if someone temporarily replaced him as he recovered.  Hat tip to Ron Mansfield, who maintains The 15th Regiment New York Heavy Artillery web site. ↩
    26. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 2 (Serial Number 88), page 615: “Organization of the Army of the Potomac…August 31, 1864” ↩
    27. Sommers, Richard J. “Grant’s Fifth Offensive at Petersburg: A Study in Strategy, Tactics, and Generalship.  The Battle of Poplar Spring Church, the First Battle of the Darbytown Road, the Second Battle of the Squirrel Level Road, the Second Battle of the Darbytown Road (Ulysses S. Grant, Virginia).” Doctoral Thesis. Rice University, 1970. Print. p. 1300. ↩
    28. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 1 (Serial Number 87), page 140: “Return of Casualties in the Union Forces (September-October 1864)” ↩
    29. Sommers, Richard J. “Grant’s Fifth Offensive at Petersburg: A Study in Strategy, Tactics, and Generalship.  The Battle of Poplar Spring Church, the First Battle of the Darbytown Road, the Second Battle of the Squirrel Level Road, the Second Battle of the Darbytown Road (Ulysses S. Grant, Virginia).” Doctoral Thesis. Rice University, 1970. Print. p. 1297. ↩
    30. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 3 (Serial Number 89), page 461: “Organization of the Union Forces” (October 31, 1864)” ↩
    31. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 1 (Serial Number 87), page 156: “Return of Casualties in the Union Forces…Boydton Plank Road, Va., October 27-28, 1864” ↩
    32. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 3 (Serial Number 89), page 461: “Organization of the Union Forces” (October 31, 1864)” ↩
    33. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 3 (Serial Number 89), page 1118: “Organization of the Union Forces” (December 31, 1864) ↩
    34. Calkins, Chris. “The Apple Jack Raid: For This Barbarism There Was No Real Excuse.” Blue & Gray Magazine Summer 2005: 18-25 (OOB on page 60). ↩
    35. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 3 (Serial Number 89), page 1118: “Organization of the Union Forces” (December 31, 1864) ↩
    36. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 3 (Serial Number 89), page 1115: “Organization of the Union Forces” (December 31, 1864) ↩
    37. Calkins, Chris. “The Apple Jack Raid: For This Barbarism There Was No Real Excuse.” Blue & Gray Magazine Summer 2005: 18-25 (OOB on page 60). ↩
    38. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 2 (Serial Number 96), page 328: “Organization of the Union Forces” (January 31, 1865) ↩
    39. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 2 (Serial Number 96), page 742: “Organization of the Union Forces” (February 28, 1865) ↩
    40. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 96), page 66: “Return of Casualties in the Union forces at Hatcher’s Run (otherwise known as Dabney’s Mill, Armstrong’s Mill, Rowanty Creek, and Vaughan Road)… (February 5-7, 1865)” ↩
    41. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 2 (Serial Number 96), page 328: “Organization of the Union Forces” (January 31, 1865) ↩
    42. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 2 (Serial Number 96), page 742: “Organization of the Union Forces” (February 28, 1865) ↩
    43. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 2 (Serial Number 96), page 742: “Organization of the Union Forces” (February 28, 1865) ↩
    44. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 96), page 66: “Return of Casualties in the Union forces at Hatcher’s Run (otherwise known as Dabney’s Mill, Armstrong’s Mill, Rowanty Creek, and Vaughan Road)… (February 5-7, 1865)” ↩
    45. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 2 (Serial Number 96), page 325: “Organization of the Union Forces” (January 31, 1865) ↩
    46. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 2 (Serial Number 96), page 738: “Organization of the Union Forces” (February 28, 1865) ↩
    47. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 95), page 569: “Organization of the Union Forces” (March 31, 1865) ↩
    48. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 95), page 585: “Return of casualties in the Union Forces commanded by Lieut. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, March 29-April 9, 1865” ↩
    49. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 95), page 569: “Organization of the Union Forces” (March 31, 1865) ↩
    50. Mansfield, Ronald. “Col Michael Wiedrich (1820-1899).” Find A Grave, 9 March 2010. Web. 12 Feb. 2013. <http://www.findagrave.com/>: This wound knocked Wiedrich out of the war for good.  Hat tip to Ron Mansfield , who maintains The 15th Regiment New York Heavy Artillery web site. ↩
    51. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 95), page 569: “Organization of the Union Forces” (March 31, 1865) ↩
    52. Ron Mansfield, who maintains The 15th Regiment New York Heavy Artillery web site, provided this information initially and I was able to find backing written evidence. ↩
    53. Powell, William H. The Fifth Army Corps (Army of the Potomac): A Record of Operations During the Civil War in the United States of America, 1861-1865 (G. P. Putnam’s Sons: 1896), p. 771: In the “Organization of the Fifth Army Corps in the Appomattox Campaign”, Eiche is shown as the commander of the 15th NYHA after Wiedrich was wounded.  No other commanders are listed. ↩
    54. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 95), page 570: “Organization of the Union Forces” (March 31, 1865) ↩
    55. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 95), page 586: “Return of casualties in the Union Forces commanded by Lieut. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, March 29-April 9, 1865” ↩
    56. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 95), page 570: “Organization of the Union Forces” (March 31, 1865) ↩
    57. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3) ↩

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