The following is taken from New York in the War of the Rebellion, 1st ed. Frederick Phisterer. Albany: J. B. Lyon Company, 1912.

This regiment was organized at Elmira to serve three years; it received its numerical designation October 16, 1861. Eight companies, commanded by Col. Guilford D. Bailey, left the State October 31, 1861, Companies I, K, L and M November 21, 1861. At the expiration of its term of service, those entitled thereto were discharged, and the regiment continued in service. Its service was as light artillery and by batteries in the Armies of the Potomac, Virginia, the Cumberland and Georgia. The field and staff were mustered in the service of the United States at Elmira, October 17, 1861, and honorably discharged and mustered out under Col. Charles S. Wainwright at Elmira, June 21, 1865.

During its service the regiment lost by death, killed in action, 5 officers, 54 enlisted men; of wounds received in action, I officer, 41 enlisted men; of disease and other causes, 5 officers, 161 enlisted men; total, 11 officers, 256 enlisted men; aggregate, 267; of whom 9 enlisted men died in the hands of the enemy.

The following is taken from The Union army: a history of military affairs in the loyal states, 1861-65 -- records of the regiments in the Union army -- cyclopedia of battles -- memoirs of commanders and soldiers, Volume II: New York, Maryland, West Virginia and Ohio. Madison, WI: Federal Pub. Co., 1908.

First Artillery.—Cols., Guilford D. Bailey, Charles S. Wainwright; Lieut. -Cols., Henry E. Turner, Charles S. Wainwright, Edward R. Warner; Majs., Charles S. Wainwright, J. Watts De Peyster, Jr., Robert Fitzhugh, Luther Kieffer, John A. Reynolds, David H. Van Valkenburgh, Thomas W. Osborne. This regiment of light artillery was organized at Elmira in the fall of 1861 and was composed of companies recruited in the counties of Oswego, Oneida, Onondaga, Chemung, Steuben, Monroe, Wayne, Erie, Niagara, Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Lewis and Herkimer. It was mustered into the U. S. service from Aug. 30 to Nov. 20, 1861, for three years. Eight companies, under command of Col. Bailey, left the state on Oct. 31, and 1, K, L and M on Nov. 21. Its service was by batteries in the Armies of the Potomac, Virginia, the Cumberland and Georgia. At the expiration of the term of service, the original members, except veterans, were mustered out and the organization composed of veterans and recruits remained in service. Both Col. Bailey and Maj. Van Valkenburgh were killed in action at Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862.

For histories of batteries see individual batteries below.