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108th
Pennsylvania Regiment, 11th PA Cavalry
Online Books
108th
Pennsylvania Regiment, 11th PA Cavalry Soldier Roster - History of Pennsylvania
Volunteers, 1861-5, Volume 3 by Samuel P Bates, 1869
View Entire Book
| Regimental History |
| One Hundred and Eighth Regiment / Eleventh Cavalry. —
Cols., Josiah Harlan, Samuel P. Spear, Frank A. Stratton ; Lieut.
-Cols., Samuel P. Spear, George Stetzell, Frank A. Stratton, James A.
Skelly; Majs., George Stetzell, Samuel Wetherill, Noah M. Runyon, Frank
A. Stratton, George T. Curnog, Albert J. Ackerly, James A. Skelly, John
Cassells, Samuel N. Titus, J. E. McFarland, Robert S. Monroe, John S.
Nimmon, Archibald A. Menzies. The 11th cavalry, the 108th regiment of
the line, known first as Harlan's light cavalry, was recruited in
different states in Aug. and Sept., 1861, as an independent regiment and
was mustered into the U. S. service at Philadelphia for three years. Co.
A was recruited in Iowa, parts of E and F in New York, part of I in New
Jersey, M in Ohio and the remainder of the regiment in Pennsylvania. It
moved to Washington, 1,130 strong, early in October and was assigned to
Gen. I. N. Palmer's brigade, then encamped at Ball's cross-roads, Va. On
Nov. 13, it was designated the 108th regiment, Pa. volunteers, as only
state organizations were accepted. From Nov. 17 to March, 1862, it was
stationed at Fortress Monroe. In March two companies were sent to
Newport News ; in May five companies were sent to Portsmouth and thence
to Suffolk, being relieved by one of the companies from Newport News;
the other five companies joined the Army of the Potomac in June at White
House, moving to Suffolk on the 20th. From Suffolk many excursions were
made into the surrounding country and the enemy was frequently
encountered, the most important actions being at Deserted House, the
attack on Franklin and the defense of Suffolk. On June 21 the regiment
moved to Hanover Court House, where it arrived on the 26th, having been
joined by the company which had been stationed at Portsmouth and
Norfolk. The works at this place, with a number of prisoners, were
captured and the regiment moved to White House, where it started on a
raid on the Richmond & Fredericksburg railroad. Returning to Portsmouth
an expedition was undertaken into North Carolina and the enemy
encountered at Jackson. An expedition into Mathews county, Va., followed
in October, after which headquarters were established at Camp Getty,
near Portsmouth, whence various raids were made during the early winter.
At this time 400 members of the regiment reenlisted. On Jan. 23, 1864,
the 11th was ordered to Williamsburg, but returned to Portsmouth early
in April. In February, Co. G was sent to eastern Virginia on special
duty. In May a raid was made on the Weldon railroad, near the Nottoway
river, followed by a raid on the Danville railroad at Coalfield and the
South Side railroad. From May 28 to June 9 the regiment encamped at
Bermuda Hundred, after which an unsuccessful attempt was made to destroy
the railroad bridge over the Appomattox. On May 11, Cos. B and H were
ordered on special duty at the headquarters of the 18th corps, Co. B
rejoining the regiment on June 20. Late in June the cavalry division
undertook the destruction of the Danville railroad, along which and the
South Side railroad, miles of track and much other property were
destroyed and sharp engagements fought at Stony creek and Reams'
station. July was spent in camp at Jones' neck on the James and while
here Co. L relieved Co. G in eastern Virginia, the latter returning to
the regiment. Late in the month the division was made a part of Gen.
Sheridan's force and joined in his famous operations, engaging the enemy
at Reams' station and at other points along the Weldon railroad.
Stationed during September at Mount Sinai Church, the regiment returned
to Jones' neck on Sept. 28 and was joined by Co. H. In October the
cavalry participated in a number of engagements in the vicinity of
Petersburg and in November went into winter quarters north of the James.
In December it was engaged at New Market heights and in Feb., 1865, made
a raid into Surrey and Isle of Wight counties. Late in March it moved to
join Gen. Sheridan at Reams' station and with him shared in the success
at Five Forks on April 1 and the pursuit which followed, with frequent
encounters culminating in Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House.
Returning to Richmond it moved to Staunton and returned to
Charlottesville, remaining there and in the vicinity until ordered to
Richmond to be mustered out, which took place on Aug. 13, 1865. |
Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing
Company, 1908 - Volume 1
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