1st New York Artillery Battery B
Posted to the Project on 02 Oct 08
1st New York Artillery Battery B was part of the Second Corps Artillery Brigade. The battery consisted of four Parrotts and 114 men under the command of Capt. James McKay Rorty (1837-1863). Rorty was killed on July 3 and Lt. Albert S. Sheldon (d. 1911), a harness maker from Baldwinville took command. When Sheldon fell wounded on the 3d, Lt. Robert E. Rogers (1841-1930). The battery suffered 26 casualties.
Nicknamed the “Empire Battery,” this unit contained men from Onondaga County as well as a contingent from Cook County, Illinois (formerly members of Busteed’s Chicago Battery) and New York City (formerly the 14th Independent Battery).
The simple monument to the Empire Battery is located along Hancock Avenue and marks the position held on July 3d.
1st New York Artillery Battery B
2nd Corps Artillery Brigade
Engaged: four Parrotts and 114 men; 10 killed, 16 wounded
Monument: Hancock Avenue