6th New York Artillery

The 6th New York Artillery was a horse artillery battery. It was attached to the Reserve Brigade (Buford’s Division) during the Gettysburg Campaign.

The 6th was recruited from New York City and from Union county in New Jersey.

It mustered in at New York City as part of the 9th militia (83rd Regiment) on June 15, 1861. The original designation was as Artillery Company K. This was changed in December 1861 to the 6th New York Independent Artillery Battery.

At Gettysburg, the 6th was commanded by Capt. Joseph W. Martin (1838-1908), a clerk from New York City.

The 6th consisted of 6 Ordnance Rifles and 130 men. They suffered one casualty during the battle.

The monument is located on the Taneytown Road between Meade’s headquarters and the current visitor’s center. The Taneytown Road is a heavily traveled road which makes picture taking difficult.

Adding further difficulty, the monument fronts the road and a fence is located very close to the monument, elements that prohibit a good photograph of the front of the memorial.

Nonetheless, the 6th New York Artillery monument sports some interesting and noteworthy features including an excellent bronze bas relief on the front of the artillery unit in action and a carved granite horse shoe with the unit designation (symbolizing the service as horse artillery).

6th New York Artillery

Cavalry Corps, Horse Artillery

Engaged: 6 Ordnance Rifles and 130 men; 1 wounded

Monument: Taneytown Road

Tags: Cavalry Corps, Gettysburg, Monument Project, New York, Taneytown Road