A Brief History of the
Veteran Corps of Artillery
and the Military Society of the War of 1812

by COL Charles C. Lucas, Jr., Commandant

1790

The Veteran Corps of Artillery of the State of New York was organized on November 25, 1790, exclusively by officers and soldiers of the War of the Revolution.

1791

The Corps was approved as a separate and distinct organization in the active Militia of the State of New York by the Governor of the State on March 8, 1791

1792

The Corps was confirmed in statutory and prescriptive rights and privileges as a separate Corps in the Active Militia, by Act of Congress on May 8 1792 (Sec. 1641, U.S. Revised Statutes), also January 21, 1903 (Sec. 3).

1812

The Corps volunteered and entered military service of the United States during the War of 1812.

1826

The Military Society of the War of 1812 was established in the city of New York on January 3, 1826, as a military society composed exclusively by commissioned officers of that War: regular and volunteer.

1848

The Society of the War of 1812 and the Veteran Corps of Artillery were consolidated on January 8, 1848.

1892

A “joint resolution” by the Congress of the United States incorporating the Society of the War of 1812 into an historic military command was approved on September 25, 1890. Conforming to this new “joint resolution,” the Society of the War of 1812 was incorporated as a military society under the laws of the State of New York on January 8, 1892. It has been held that such societies are entitled under Section 14 of the General Corporation Law to acquire property by grant, devise, bequest, etc.

Since that time the Military Society of the War of 1812 has elected members of the Council of Administration, who act as the governing body of the combined Organization.

Membership is applied for, and held separately, in the Military Society of the War of 1812 and the Veteran Corps of Artillery (VCA).  In practice, the VCA functions as the operating arm of the combined "organization", with many volunteer military and ceremonial events on the annual schedule.  The VCA drill season begins the first week in October, and ends with the traditional Salute to our Nation at the Battery in New York City on the 4th of July.