Until then, British troops, ships and Tories were present and active in New York City, and in fact, Britain would maintain a presence in the United States until 1815 when the War of 1812 ended.

[7] It was formed in Manhattan on Evacuation Day (New York), November 25, 1790 [1], by Veterans of Washington's Continental Army Corps of Artillery.

The founders met at the City Arms Tavern located off Broadway near Trinity Church, to establish an independent artillery company of exempts in the event of a return invasion by the British.

This appears to be especially true during the timeframe of World War I, when the corps volunteered for several missions, and received federal, and state backing.

In the foreword to The Minute Men of '17,[15] Colonel George W. Burleigh of the NY Guard thanks Major General Leonard Wood United States Army "... for his foresight in giving encouragement and approval to the whole plan.

The Military Society of the War of 1812 and the Veteran Corps of Artillery of the State of New York on 08 January 1848 merged as a sole organization.

Records indicate that the Veteran Corps of Artillery volunteered as an organization for federal service on various occasions in the early part of the 20th century.

On the face of it, it appears that the Veteran Corps of Artillery is part of the unorganized militia; however, The National Defense Act of 1916[21] clarifies this in Section 63: ... Any corps of Artillery, Cavalry, or Infantry existing in any of the States on the passage of the Act of May eighth, seventeen hundred and ninetytwo, which by the laws, customs, or usages of said States has been in continuous existence since the passage of said Act, under its provisions and under the provisions of section two hundred and thirty-two and sections sixteen hundred and twenty-five to sixteen hundred and sixty, both inclusive, of title sixteen of the Revised Statutes of eighteen hundred and seventy-three, and the Act of January twenty-first, nineteen hundred and three, relating to the militia, shall be allowed to retain its ancient privileges, subject, nevertheless, to all duties required by law Of militia: Provided, That said organizations may be a part of the National Guard and entitled to all the privileges of this Act, and shall conform in all respects to the organization, discipline, and training of the National Guard in time of war: Provided further, That for purposes of training and when on active duty in the service of the United States they may be assigned to higher units, as the President may direct, and shall be subject to the orders of officers under whom they shall be serving.

While the latter did not come into service in World War I, there was concern that, while these vessels could not inflict heavy damage, it would cost a morale issue in the United States.

As such, the Veteran Corps of Artillery found a mission that they were suited for; however, they would first have to solve the issue of numbers in the ranks, while also not affecting the war effort.

So, on February 22, 1917, the regulations of the corps were once again amended to allow for the enlistment of exempts who were "... men of good moral character, not qualified for hereditary membership ...".

The corps today serves primarily as a ceremonial unit, and during the course of its drill year, is invited to participate in numerous New York City parades, civic and patriotic events.

Their drill season begins in October with the Columbus Day Parade, and ends with the corps "4th of July" salute to the nation.

Since the Veteran Corps of Artillery is subject to both federal and state call-up, and because it is legally required to "conform in all respects to the organization, discipline, and training of the National Guard in time of war", it conducts individual weapons qualifications each year at the Camp Smith New York National Guard Training Site in Peekskill, New York.