The following is taken from New York in the War of the Rebellion, 31st ed. Frederick Phisterer. Albany: J. B. Lyon Company, 1912.

Battery C, 1st Battalion Artillery, became March 16, 1863, the above-named battery, the battalion organization having been discontinued. It was recruited and organized in New York city and there mustered in the service of the United States for three years September 16, 1861. Commanded by Capt. John Knieriem the battery left the State October 20, 1861, and served at and near Washington, D. C., from October, 1861; in the Artillery Reserve, Army of the Potomac, from March, 1862; in the 3d Brigade, Artillery Reserve, 5th Corps, Army of the Potomac, from May, 1862; in the Artillery Reserve, 5th Corps, from September, 1862; in the Artillery Reserve, Army of the Potomac, from December 2, 1862; in 22d Corps from May, 1863; at and near Harper's Ferry, W. Va., and in the Army of West Virginia, 8th Corps, from July, 1863; attached to 30th Battery from January 1864. October 25, 1864, the battery, commanded by Capt. Gustav von Blucher, was honorably discharged and mustered out, and its veterans and recruits transferred to the 30th Battery. While in service it lost by death of disease 5 enlisted men.

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.

Thirty-first Independent Battery.—Capts.. John Knierim, Charles Kusserow, Robert Langner, Gustav Von Blucher. As a part of the artillery reserve of the Army of the Potomac, it took part in the siege of Yorktown; was then attached to the 3d brigade, artillery reserve, 5th corps, and participated in the Peninsular campaign of Gen. McClellan, being engaged at Mechanicsville. Garnett's farm, Glendale and Malvern hill, with a loss of 4 wounded and 2 missing. It was present at Antietam. Boteler's ford and Fredericksburg, and at Franklin's crossing sustained a loss of 9 men captured. Attached to the 8th corps, Army of West Virginia it took part in the engagements at New Market, Piedmont. Lynchburg, Buford's gap, Salem, Harper's Ferry, Maryland heights, Charlestown, Bunker Hill and Martinsburg, during the summer of 1864, but sustained only slight loss. From Jan., 1864, it was attached to the 30th battery, and on Oct. 25, 1864, the original members, except veterans, were mustered out, under command of Capt. Von Blucher, the veterans and recruits being transferred to the 30th. During its term of service it lost 5 enlisted men died of disease, and had 7 men wounded.