Cogswell's Battery, Illinois Light Artillery, was organized at Ottawa, Ill., by Captain William Cogswell, and was mustered in November 11, 1861, as Company A, Artillery, Fifty-third Illinois Volunteers, Colonel Cushman commanding the Regiment.

On February 28, 1862, moved to Chicago, Ill., and, on March 17, it was detached from the Regiment, and moved to St. Louis, Mo. On April 8, embarked for Pittsburg Landing. Was assigned to duty in Third Division, Army of the Tennessee, Brigadier General Lew. Wallace commanding. Participated in the advance of Corinth, and, from thence, marched to Memphis, Tenn., arriving June 14, 1862. On November 26, was assigned to Fifth Division-Brigadier General J. W. Denver commanding, and marched with General Sherman's expedition toward Vicksburg. On the return of Sherman's Army, the Battery moved with McPherson's Army to the Yaconapatalfa River, and afterwards, marched to Grand Junction, arriving January 9, 1863.

March 8, 1863, moved to Lagrange. On June 4, moved to Memphis, and embarked for Vicksburg. Participated in the siege of Vicksburg.

On September 28, embarked for Memphis. On 11th October, marched from Memphis, and, November 23 and 24, participated in the battle of Mission Ridge.

April 29, 1864, moved to Nashville. On December 15 and 16, 1864, was engaged in the battle of Nashville, Lieutenant McClary commanding. Marched to Pulaski, Clifton and Eastport. On February 5, 1865, embarked for New Orleans. From March 28 to April 8, was engaged with the Sixteenth Corps, in operations against Spanish Fort, Ala. Moved thence to Blakely, and, after its capture, to Montgomery, Ala.

July 28, 1865, ordered to Springfield, Ill. Mustered out August 14, 1865.

The Battery was in the service three years and nine months, and has marched over 7,500 miles, and participated in seven sieges and battles.