Emil Sturmfels received authority from the War Department on August 2, 1861 to recruit a battalion of artillery for E. D. Baker's Brigade. The recruiting for this unit was soon discontinued and the enlisted men were formed as Company A which later became the Thirteenth Independent Battery.

Sturmfels enrolled in the Thirteenth at New York City on October 15, 1861 at the age of 38 to serve for three years. He was mustered in as a Captain that same day. He resigned on May 15, 1862, never being commissioned a Captain.

Sturmfels subsequently served in the Veteran Reserve Corps.