Organized in November 1861 as Company A, 53rd Illinois Infantry Regiment, it was detached as an independent artillery battery in March 1862.

Cogswell's Battery took part in the Jackson Expedition, the Missionary Ridge and in the Knoxville campaign in 1863.

On that date, A Company was permanently detached as an independent battery and ordered to St. Louis where it arrived on March 23.

In the latter month, the battery became part of Artillery, 5th Division, District of Memphis, Right Wing XIII Corps (Old), Department of the Tennessee.

Cogswell's Battery was reassigned to Artillery, 1st Division, XVII Corps from December 1862 to January 1863.

It joined the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, Detachment Army of the Tennessee, Department of the Cumberland from December 1864 to February 1865.

Cogswell's Battery became part of Artillery Brigade, XVI Corps (New), Military Division West Mississippi in February–August 1865.

[2] After arriving at Pittsburg Landing, Cogswell's Illinois Battery was attached to Lew Wallace's 3rd Division.

[2] During the siege, the unit formed part of Artillery, William Sooy Smith's 1st Division, Cadwallader C. Washburn's XVI Corps.

[5] A monument to Cogswell's Battery Illinois Light Artillery is located at Vicksburg National Military Park.

[2] Commanded by Captain Cogswell, the battery was assigned to Artillery, John E. Smith's 2nd Division, XVII Corps.

[4] On 29 April 1864, Cogswell's Battery moved to Nashville, Tennessee to serve as part of its garrison until December.

It was assigned to William L. McMillen's 1st Brigade, John McArthur's 1st Division, Andrew Jackson Smith's Army of the Tennessee Detachment.

[9] On the first day, A. J. Smith's troops, with James H. Wilson's cavalry on their right, successfully assaulted the left flank of John Bell Hood's Confederate defenses.

[11] On the second day, McMillen's brigade overran part of the opposing defenses and the Confederate army was soon fleeing from the field.

[13][14] From 17–28 December 1864, Cogswell's Illinois Battery joined in the pursuit of Hood's army as far as the Tennessee River.

The battery moved first to Clifton, Tennessee and then to Eastport, Mississippi where it performed garrison duty until 5 February 1865.