The battery was organized on January 7, 1861, at the U.S. Military Academy at
West Point, and was known as the "West Point Battery". It was initially commanded by Lt.
Charles Griffin, with four guns and 70 men, and left West Point on January 31, 1861. On July 4, 1861, it was formally designated as Battery D, 5th U.S. Artillery. The battery fought in the
first battle of Bull Run on July 21, 1861. The battery was attached to Porter's Division,
Army of the Potomac, October 1861 to March 1862. Artillery, 1st Division,
III Corps, Army of the Potomac, to May 1862. Artillery, 1st Division,
V Corps, Army of the Potomac, to May 1863. Artillery Brigade, V Corps, to December 1863. Camp Barry, Washington, D.C.,
XXII Corps, to March 1864. Artillery Brigade, V Corps, to November 1864. Consolidated with Battery "G", 5th U.S. Light Artillery, November 1864. Artillery Reserve, Army of the Potomac, to June 1865.
Department of Washington, XXII Corps, to October 1865. ==Detailed service==