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59th
Pennsylvania Regiment, 2nd PA Cavalry
Online Books
59th
Pennsylvania Regiment, 2nd PA Cavalry Soldier Roster - History of Pennsylvania
Volunteers, 1861-5, Volume 2 by Samuel P Bates, 1869
View Entire Book
| Regimental History |
| Fifty-Ninth Regiment / Second Cavalry. — Cols., Richard
B. Price, William W. Sanders ; Lieut. -Cols., Joseph P. Brinton, Joseph
Steele; Majs., Joseph P. Brinton, Charles F. Taggart, P. Benner Wilson,
Joseph Steele, Robert M. Brinton. This regiment, the 59th of the line,
was raised from the state at large in the fall of 1861, many of the
members coming from the city of Philadelphia, and from the counties of
Crawford and Tioga. It rendezvoused at Camp Patterson, near
Philadelphia, where it was mustered in during the fall and winter for
three years, many of its officers having seen service in the three
months' campaign in the Philadelphia City troop, and Col. Price had
served in Mexico. Seven companies left for Baltimore on April 5, 1862,
followed by the remaining companies on the 14th. On the 25th it moved to
Washington and encamped on Capitol hill. Here it was mounted and
drilled, and on June 27 moved to Cloud's mills, where it was assigned to
Cooke's brigade, 1st reserve corps, under Gen. Sturgis. On Aug. 5 it
marched to the Rapidan near Wolftown where it joined Gen. Pope's army
and was assigned to Buford's brigade. It had a brisk skirmish with the
enemy on the 7th, and soon after retired across the mountains to
Woodville, rejoining the army at Centerville, one squadron being engaged
at the second battle of Bull Run, attached to Gen. Kearny's command. On
the night of the 30th it held the stone bridge on the Centerville road.
At the close of the Bull Run campaign it was greatly weakened by losses
and sickness. It moved to Fort Blenker on Sept. 10th, and on the 17th a
large detachment made a daring reconnoissance to Aldie in search of Gen.
Ewell and his body-guard. A few days later it shared in an expedition to
Ashby's gap, and on Oct. 6, as part of Gen. Bayard's command, 1st
brigade, it participated in a reconnoissance to Rappahannock Station.
From Centerville it moved in pursuit of Stuart's cavalry as far as
Warrenton, losing 2 killed and 10 wounded on the expedition. It next
advanced with the entire corps, encountering the enemy at New Baltimore
and Warrenton and was constantly engaged in scouting until Dec. 28, when
it suffered a severe loss at the Occoquan, being surprised by a superior
force under Wade Hampton. Its camp was captured and the regiment lost
more than 100 killed, wounded and missing. It then went into winter
quarters at Accotink, holding the line of the Occoquan. April 4, 1863,
it marched to Fairfax Court House, where it was assigned to the 2nd
brigade of Gen. Stahel's division and moved on the Gettysburg campaign.
At Frederick, Gen. Pleasonton assumed command of the division and on
June 29 it reported at headquarters of Gen. Meade, companies A, K, and H
being detached to gather in stragglers. It was actively engaged at
Gettysburg in checking the great tide of stragglers to the rear, and
after the battle conducted 2,500 prisoners to Westminster. It moved in
pursuit of Lee, reaching Warrenton July 25, and in August and September
was employed in frequent reconnoissances and as guard at Meade's
headquarters. It was engaged at White Sulphur springs in October and on
the 19th moved to Fairfax Station, where it was assigned to the 2nd
brigade, 2nd division, Cavalry corps. On Oct. 21 it moved towards the
Rappahannock and Mine Run ; was active at Beverly ford and Rappahannock
crossing and again at Bealeton. From this time on during the campaign it
was constantly engaged in skirmishing and scouting, and on Nov. 29, at
Parker's store, fought with great gallantry, losing 35 men. In December
it shared in the raid on Luray, and then went into winter quarters at
Warrenton. During the winter its ranks were swelled by many recruits and
many of the men reenlisted and received a veteran furlough. On the
opening of the spring campaign it moved with the army of the Potomac;
was active at the Wilderness and at Todd's tavern ; shared in Gen.
Sheridan's raid to sever Lee's communications with Richmond. It
participated in Sheridan's second raid and was active at Haw's shop and
on June 7 shared in the destruction of the Virginia Central railroad. It
then crossed the Pamunkey, destroyed the Fredericksburg road at
Chesterfield, and was heavily engaged at Trevilian. It assisted in the
effort to cut the enemy's lines at Gordonsville, was active at St.
Mary's Church, where it was commended for its gallantry, and after the
raid it rejoined the army in front of Petersburg. It was active at the
engagements of Deep Bottom, Charles City cross-roads, and Malvern hill,
suffering considerable loss ; and was heavily engaged at Reams' station.
Since the beginning of the campaign in May, the 59th participated in 16
general engagements, and its strength was reduced to about 200. It
shared in the subsequent fortunes of the cavalry of the Army of the
Potomac, being engaged at Wyatt's farm, Boydton plank road, McDowell's
hill and Five Forks, and was present at Lee's surrender. It took part in
the grand review at Washington in May, 1865, and on June 17, was
consolidated with the 20th Pa. cavalry to form the 1st Pa. provisional
cavalry, commanded by Col. William W. Sanders of the regular army.
Members whose term of service had expired were sent to Philadelphia to
be mustered out, and the provisional regiment was finally mustered out
of service at Cloud's mills, Va., July 13, 1865. During its long period
of service the regiment enjoyed an excellent reputation for discipline
and courage in battle. |
Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing
Company, 1908 - Volume 1
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