The following is taken from New York in the War of the Rebellion, 18th ed. Frederick Phisterer. Albany: J. B. Lyon Company, 1912.

This battalion was organized at Albany, December 5, 1861, and there mustered in the United States service for three years, December 6 and 7, 1861. The three companies recruited originally, Ransom's, Lee's and Sauer's, were consolidated into two companies December 5, 1861, and the battalion, commanded by Maj. Thomas W. Lion, left the State December 9, 1861. It served at and near Washington, D. C., from December, 1861, and in North Carolina, i8th Corps, from May, 1862. February 11, 1863, the battalion organization was discontinued, and the two companies, A and B, were designated the 23d and 24th Batteries, Light Artillery, having served provisionally as such from November 1, 1862. The loss and engagements of the battalion are included in the record of the batteries into which its two companies were converted.

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.

Rocket Battalion of Artillery.—This battalion, known as Gen. Barry's, consisting originally of three companies, was raised and organized at Albany in the early winter of 1861, and was there mustered into the U. S. service for three years. On Dec. 5, the three companies were consolidated into two and the battalion, commanded by Maj. Thomas M. Lyon, left the state on the 9th. It served in the defenses of Washington and in North Carolina until Feb. II, 1863, when it was discontinued, its two companies being then officially designated the 23d and 24th batteries light artillery (q. v.).