The Thirteenth Independent Battery had its beginnings on August 2, 1861 when Capt Emil Sturmfels was authorized by the War Department to recruit a battery of artillery for E.D. Baker's Brigade. For a time it was known as "Baker's Brigade Battery", but the recruiting was soon discontinued and the men reorganized as "E.D. Baker's Brigade Light Artillery, Company A". Recruiting for "Sturmfels' Company A" continued in New York City through October 15, 1861, at which time the unit was mustered into the service of the United States for a period of three years.

The company left New York on Oct 17, 1861 and arrived at Camp Observation, Maryland on October 20 where it began initial training. On December 28 the company entered the Artillery Camp of Instruction at Camp Duncan in Washington, DC. Shortly thereafter, it received for the first time its numerical designation as the "Thirteenth Independent Battery".

After completion of training, the unit was assigned to the defense of Washington and numerous activities in northern Virginia. During the next two years, it was involved the following operations, battles, or engagements:

At the end of 1863, the Thirteenth Battery found itself in the Union stronghold at Bridgeport, Alabama. There, on January 1, 1864, the company reformed as a Veteran Volunteer Organization and a majority of its members reenlisted for three years. During February, those members who had reenlisted enjoyed 30 days furlough to New York. Following the furlough, the Battery soon became engaged in operations in Georgia which culminated in the occupation of Atlanta:

Following the fall of Atlanta, the Battery was ordered to Murphreesboro, Tennessee where it engaged in battles at Overall's Creek on Dec 4, during Hood's attack on Dec 5-12, and at Wilkinson's Pike on Dec 7. The company then spent the remainder of the war in garrison at Fort Rains, Tullahoma, TN. On July 28, 1865 the Battery was honorably discharged and mustered out at New York City. During its service, the unit had lost only 1 officer and 11 enlisted men in battle. An additional 16 enlisted men had died from disease.