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160th Pennsylvania Regiment, 15th PA Cavalry

Online Books
160th Pennsylvania Regiment, 15th PA Cavalry Soldier Roster - History of Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-5, Volume 4 by Samuel P Bates, 1869     View Entire Book

Regimental History
Fifteenth Cavalry. — Col., William J. Palmer; Lieut. -Cols., William Spencer, Charles B. Lamborn, Charles M. Betts ; Majs., Adolph G. Rosengarten, Frank B. Ward, Charles M. Betts, George E. Gouraud, William Wagner, Abram B. Garner, H. McAllister, Jr. The 160th regiment, known as the 15th (Anderson) cavalry, was recruited by William J. Palmer, formerly captain of the Anderson troop, from the state at large, rendezvoused at Carlisle, and was mustered into the U. S. service from Aug. 22 to Oct. 10, 1862, for three years. As in the case of the Anderson troop (q. v.) it was originally intended to employ the regiment on escort and headquarters duty and the members of the command were therefore selected with great care, many coming from the most influential families of the state. Early in September, before the regiment was fully organized, 250 picked men were sent into the Cumberland valley to assist in repelling the threatened invasion of the state by Lee's forces and rendered efficient service. This detachment charged through Hagerstown, captured 30 stragglers, and was employed in bringing up stragglers during the battle of Antietam. Capt. Palmer was captured the day after the battle, while on dangerous service within the enemy's lines. On Nov. 7, the regiment left the state for Louisville, Ky., where it was mounted, and a month later it joined the army assembled at Nashville. An unfortunate incident occurred at this time for which the regiment was much criticised. The command had never been fully officered, having only seven field and staff, twelve line, and about two-thirds of its complement of non-commissioned officers. It sought in vain to have this deficiency remedied and when it was ordered to advance with Gen. Stanley's division of cavalry on the eve of the Stone's river campaign, only the few officers and about 300 of the men responded. On Dec. 30 about 100 more of the men made their way to the front, and by order of Gen. Mitchell, in command at Nashville, the others were sent to the workhouse. On Jan. 20, 1863, Gen. Rosecrans agreed to have them reorganized and fully officered if they would return to duty. This seems to have been all the men desired and the proposition was accepted. On Feb. 7, 1863, Col. Palmer returned from captivity and resumed command, horses and full equipments were received, and the regiment was organized into twelve companies with W. J. Palmer, colonel, and Charles B. Lamborn, lieutenant-colonel. Meanwhile the battalion under Majs. Rosengarten and Ward, which had advanced with Stanley's division, behaved most gallantly at Wilkinson's cross-roads, losing 13 killed or mortally wounded and 69 wounded and missing. Among the killed were both majors. Led by Capt. Vezin, the battalion joined in a charge on Wheeler's cavalry on the 31st, driving the enemy. During this charge private Holt of Co. H captured the colors of the 10th Tenn. cavalry. On Jan. 1, 1863, it was detailed to guard a train to Nashville, losing several more in killed and wounded en route. A detachment was engaged near Woodbury and Snow Hill, Tenn. and captured 18 prisoners near the Barrens. On Rosecrans' campaign from Murfreesboro to Tullahoma, Tenn., Cos. B, H and K served as escort to the general commanding, and the other campanies were employed in courier duty between the right and left wings of the army. In the Chickamauga campaign the command was engaged in scouting, preparing maps, guarding flank roads, carrying despatches and at headquarters. Late in November it was ordered to Knoxville and the day after its arrival was ordered to meet and disperse a force from North Carolina, under Col. Thomas, at Seviersville, Tenn., the enemy being completely routed and his camp burned. It now engaged in scouting on the left flank of Longstreet's army moving towards Virginia, and was sharply engaged at Dandridge, losing 75 killed, wounded and prisoners. A few days later it was again engaged for 6 hours at Mossy creek, losing a few men. In Jan., 1864, the 15th was posted at Dandridge to watch the movements of Longstreet's army and harass his foraging parties. About the middle of the month Col. Palmer, with about 125 men, made a daring detour against Brig.-Gen. Vance, coming up with the enemy near Newport, captured the general, 2 staff officers, 50 men, 150 horses, a wagon train and a large amount of stores. For his gallantry Col. Palmer was strongly recommended for promotion. On the 24th it engaged in an expedition to the Big Pigeon river and captured 72 of the enemy and large stores. The command had become skilled in scouting duty and full reliance was placed on the information gained by it. On Feb. 11 it returned to Chattanooga and for the next three months was employed in reconnoissances and scouting duty. In May it was ordered to Nashville to refit and it was August before the regiment was again ready to take the field. For the next two months it was engaged in numerous minor expeditions, portions of the command being engaged at Jonesboro, the Holston river, and in numerous skirmishes and scouting expeditions. During October and November, with headquarters at Chattanooga, it was employed in scouting, frequently meeting bands of the enemy. On Dec. 20 it moved to Decatur, whence it moved in pursuit of Hood's demoralized troops on their retreat from Tennessee, capturing many prisoners and a large amount of supplies and greatly harassing the enemy. It brought all its captures to Decatur with a loss of only 1 killed and 2 wounded. Expeditions in Jan. and Feb., 1865, against Gen. Lyon at Fort Deposit and a guerrilla band in the Cumberland mountains were entirely successful and resulted in the capture of numerous prisoners. Refitted for active service, it moved with Gen. Stoneman on April 1 on his raid into North Carolina. After the capture of Salisbury, N. C, it turned towards Knoxville. Near the close of April, 1865, it was ordered with its division, now commanded by Gen. Palmer, to proceed south in the effort to capture Jefferson Davis and train. On May 8, it captured 7 wagons, containing the effects of the banks of Macon, numerous other valuables, and the private baggage, maps and official papers of Gens. Beauregard and Pillow. Two days later Co. G captured Gen. Bragg, his wife, 3 staff officers, and 3 wagons. Soon after the capture of President Davis the regiment returned to Nashville, Tenn., and with the exception of Co. A, was there mustered out of service on June 21, 1865. Co. A was mustered out at the same place on July 18.

Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing Company, 1908 - Volume 1

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