The battery was originally organized as Company D, 2nd Regiment New York State Militia Infantry, which was re-designated as the 82nd New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment.
The battery was organized at New York City and mustered in at Washington, D.C. for a three-year enlistment on June 17, 1862, and shortly after detached and converted into a light artillery battery under the command of Captain Thaddeus P. Mott.
The battery was attached to Schenck's Brigade, Tyler's Division, McDowell's Army of Northeastern Virginia, June to August 1861.
W. F. Smith's Brigade, Division of the Potomac, to October 1861.
Hancock's Brigade, Smith's Division, Army of the Potomac, to March 1862.
Smith's 2nd Division, IV Corps, Army of the Potomac, to May 1862.
Artillery, 2nd Division, VI Corps, to September 1862.
Artillery, 3rd Division, VI Corps, to November 1862.
Artillery, 2nd Division, VI Corps, to January 1863.
Artillery, Light Division, VI Corps, to May 1863.
Artillery, 2nd Division, VI Corps, to June 1863.
Artillery Brigade, VI Corps, to July 10, 1864.
Artillery Reserve, Army of the Potomac, to December 1864.
Artillery Brigade, VI Corps, to June 1865.
The 3rd New York Light Artillery mustered out of service on June 24, 1865.
Jerusalem Plank Road, Weldon Railroad, June 22–23, 1864.