First Brigade, First Division

Members of the 8th New York State Militia in camp at Arlington, June 1861

Eighth New York State Militia, Company I, Varian's Battery Light Artillery
Three months' volunteers

CAPTAIN J M VARIAN

First Section: FIRST LT. S H CORNELL
Two 6 pounder Smoothbores, M1841
Second Section: SECOND LT. E C BYRNES
Two 6 pounder Smoothbores, M1841
Third Section: SECOND LT. J T CARPENTER
Two 6 pounder Smoothbores, M1841

Sources

"It appears that an order had been received to the effect that the Grey troop should leave the howitzers and take six 6 pounders."

"In Hudson street, the Grey troop, numbering 100 men, with a battery of six 6-pounders and thirty-six horses, turned down and proceeded to Pier No. 13, where they embarked on board the steamship Montgomery."

Rebellion Record: Document 93, Departure of the 8th, 13th, and 69th N. Y. Regiments, New York Tribune, 24 April, 1861

"Varian's Battery consisted of six smooth-bore six pounder brass pieces, with carriages, obtained from the 7th Regiment, and thirty-six horses, all that could be collected in the brief period allowed for that purpose. We were provided with 200 rounds of ammunition per gun."

A famous battery and its campaigns, 1861–'64; the career of Corporal James Tanner in war and in peace; early days in the Black Hills with some account of Capt. Jack Crawford the poet scout, by Captain James E. Smith, 4th N. Y. Independent battery

New York in the War of Rebellion, 1861–1865 (Volume 1), by Frederick Phisterer

Notes

The 8th New York State Militia, Company I, served as a light artillery company and was mustered into United States service for three months. It was mustered out at New York City on 2 August, 1861. The company, as part of the 8th New York State Militia, re-entered the service of the United States for thirty days, during the Pennsylvania Campaign, in 1863, performing duty as artillery and cavalry, generally detached from the regiment under the command of Captain R Brown.

The Washington Grey Troop was reorganised as Varian's Battery Light Artillery on 18 April, 1861, and reached Arlington, Virginia, in late May. On 17 July, 1861, the term of enlistment of the company expired and the vote was taken to be discharged. Colonel E D Keyes offered Second Lieutenant J E Smith the command of the company but did not accept and ordered the company to deliver the six guns over to the Ordanace Department. At 1 AM on 21 July, 1861, the company marched to the rear and reached its old camp at Falls Church in the evening. It reached Alexandria at 3 PM on 22 July and secured transportation to Washington that evening. Second Lieutenant J E Smith on his return to New York City organised the 4th New York Independent Light Artillery.

As their term of service expired on 17 July, 1861, the company returned to New York City, and its six guns were left in the camp of the 4th Pennsylvania Infantry and were manned by detachments from the 8th New York Infantry and 29th New York Infantry under the command of Captain C Bookwood, 29th New York Infantry, Company H, on 21 July 1861 (See Bookwood's Independent Battery Light Artillery).

Orders of Battle