The battery was organized on January 7, 1861 at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and was known as the "West Point Battery". It was initially commanded by Lt. Charles Griffin, with four guns and 70 men, and left West Point on January 31, 1861. On July 4, 1861 it was formally designated as Battery D, 5th U.S. Artillery. The battery fought in the first battle of Bull Run on July 21, 1861.