The battery was organized in Providence, Rhode Island and mustered in for a three year enlistment on June 6, 1861 under the command of Captain William H. Reynolds.

 

The battery was attached to Burnside's Brigade, Hunter's Division, McDowell's Army of Virginia, to August 1861. Department of the Shenandoah to October 1861. Banks' Division, Army of the Potomac, to March 1862. Artillery, 2nd Division, 2nd Corps, Army of the Potomac, to June 1863. Artillery Brigade, II Corps, Army of the Potomac, to September 1864.

 

Battery A, 1st Rhode Island Light Artillery ceased to exist on September 30, 1864 when its members were transferred to Battery B, 1st Rhode Island Light Artillery.