Unknown Private, Co. I, 15th N.Y.H.A. (USAMHI)

Welcome to the 15th New York Heavy Artillery website! The Fifteenth was part of the Union Army from late 1863 to mid 1865. The regiment, composed largely of Germans, was organized in New York City. The ranks of the 15th NY Heavy Artillery were also made up of a large number of veterans from 1861-1863; principally from the German 7th NY Inf., 8th NY Inf., 20th NY Inf., 29th NY Inf., Schirmer's 2nd NY Independent Battery and Wiedrich's 1st NY Light Artillery, Battery I. Initially part of Col. J. Howard Kitching's Heavy Artillery Brigade, the Fifteenth New York Heavy Artillery was later assigned to Maj. Gen. G. K. Warren's Fifth Corps, Army of the Potomac. Serving predominantly as infantry, the regiment would play an important role during the campaigns of 1864-1865; including the Wilderness, Spotsylvania Court House, Totopotomoy Creek, the Assault on Petersburg, Weldon Railroad, Poplar Grove Church, Siege of Petersburg, Hicksford Raid, Hatcher's Run, White Oak Road, Five Forks and the pursuit to Appomattox.

Officers of the 3rd Battalion (Cos. I, K, L, and M), 15th New York Heavy Artillery, Fort Woodbury, Arlington, Va. (Library of Congress)