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In early 1864, many heavy artillery regiments in the Civil War were garrisoning the Washington defenses, including the 15th New York. At the same time, general in chief Ulysses S. Grant sought to replenish the ranks of the Army of the Potomac, and the 15th became one of the first outfits dispatched to Major General Meade at Brandy Station.

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Composed of predominantly German immigrants, members of the 15th not only endured the nativist sentiments held by many in the army, but as “heavies” normally stationed to the rear, they were also derided as “band box soldiers.” The men were still struggling to adjust to their new infantry role when they experienced combat for the first time at the Wilderness. Despite lacking infantry training and adequate equipment, they persisted.

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Join The Dan Sickles Civil War Round Table with Edward Andrew Altemos, author of
From the Wilderness to Appomattox: The 15th NY Heavy Artillery in the Civil War, to learn how the 15th continued to hone their skills and distinguish themselves throughout the Overland, Petersburg, and Appomattox Campaigns, eventually witnessing the surrender of Robert E. Lee’s vaunted Army of Northern Virginia.​​​​