It served at and near Washington, D. C., from December 1861, and in North Carolina, (2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, Dept.

The two companies, A and B, were designated the 23rd and 24th batteries of 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.

These were developed by Major Lions himself, and presented to President Lincoln shortly after the Battle of Bull Run in July 1861.

They proved very unreliable during tests and in combat, so after the battalion was disbanded, each battery received regular M1857 12-pounder Napoleon's instead.