113th Pennsylvania Regiment, 12th PA Cavalry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 113th Pennsylvania Regiment, also known as the 12th Pennsylvania Cavalry (Three Years’ Service), served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Organized at Philadelphia in the winter of 1861–62, the regiment drew its members from various parts of Pennsylvania. It was mustered in for three years’ service and primarily operated in the Eastern Theater, performing a mix of guard, scouting, and combat duties throughout its term.

The 12th Pennsylvania Cavalry was notable for its extensive service along key railroads, participation in several engagements in Virginia and Maryland, and its role in the Shenandoah Valley operations. The regiment reenlisted as veterans in early 1864 and continued active service until the end of the war.

Organization & Service

The 12th Pennsylvania Cavalry (113th Regiment) was organized at Philadelphia during the winter of 1861–62 and mustered in for three years. The regiment left for Washington, D.C., in late April 1862 and was initially posted near Manassas Junction to guard the Orange & Alexandria Railroad. In August 1862, it was ordered to White Plains to gather intelligence on Confederate movements. Shortly after, the regiment withdrew to Centerville following a narrow escape at Bristoe, where it suffered significant losses, and then moved to Alexandria.

The regiment was subsequently assigned to guard the north shore of the Potomac River from Chain Bridge to Edwards Ferry. It was held in reserve at the Battle of South Mountain and operated in the rear during the Battle of Antietam. After Antietam, the 12th Pennsylvania Cavalry was tasked with tracking the retreating Confederate forces and was stationed along the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad near Bath, Virginia (now West Virginia). The regiment conducted several expeditions in the area, including an engagement at Fisher’s Hill.

During the winter of 1862–63, the regiment continued railroad guard and scouting duties. In June 1863, it participated in the defense of Winchester, where it broke through Confederate lines and sustained losses. Following the Battle of Gettysburg, the 12th Pennsylvania Cavalry, along with the 1st New York Cavalry, captured Confederate wagon trains at Cunningham Cross Roads and Mercersburg. The regiment spent July 1863 at Sharpsburg and was then ordered to Martinsburg, remaining in that vicinity until spring 1864.

At the start of 1864, nearly the entire regiment reenlisted as veterans, received furloughs, and returned to Martinsburg in April. During General Early’s advance toward Washington in July 1864, the regiment fell back before the Confederate forces, engaging at Solomon’s Gap, Pleasant Valley, Crampton’s Gap, Winchester, and Kernstown. Afterward, the regiment was remounted and recruited at Charlestown in the autumn. Throughout the winter, it performed guard duty along the railroad between Winchester and Harper’s Ferry.

In March 1865, the 12th Pennsylvania Cavalry was sent across the Blue Ridge to clear the area of guerrillas, engaging at Harmony on March 22. In April, the regiment moved to Winchester and was assigned to the Army of the Shenandoah, with the cavalry force under Col. Marcus A. Reno. Upon receiving news of Lee’s surrender, the regiment was stationed at Mount Jackson to intercept and parole Confederate soldiers. The 12th Pennsylvania Cavalry returned to Winchester and was mustered out on July 20, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Guard duty on the Orange & Alexandria Railroad (Spring–Summer 1862)
• Action at Bristoe and withdrawal to Centerville (August 1862)
• Reserve at South Mountain (September 1862)
• Rear operations at Antietam (September 1862)
• Expeditions and engagement at Fisher’s Hill (Winter 1862–63)
• Defense of Winchester (June 1863)
• Capture of Confederate wagon trains at Cunningham Cross Roads and Mercersburg (July 1863)
• Sharpsburg and Martinsburg operations (Summer–Spring 1864)
• Engagements at Solomon’s Gap, Pleasant Valley, Crampton’s Gap, Winchester, and Kernstown (July 1864)
• Guard and scouting duty between Winchester and Harper’s Ferry (Winter 1864–65)
• Action at Harmony (March 22, 1865)
• Assigned to Army of the Shenandoah (April 1865)
• Mount Jackson parole operations (April–July 1865)

Casualties

Specific casualty figures for the 12th Pennsylvania Cavalry (Three Years’ Service) are not consistently reported in primary sources. The regiment sustained losses in several engagements, including Bristoe, Winchester, and Harmony, but comprehensive totals are not available.

Some details are incomplete in surviving primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel William Frishmuth
• Colonel Lewis B. Pierce
• Colonel Marcus A. Reno
• Lieutenant Colonel Lewis B. Pierce
• Lieutenant Colonel Jacob Kohler
• Lieutenant Colonel Joseph L. Moss
• Lieutenant Colonel William Bell
• Lieutenant Colonel James A. Congdon
• Lieutenant Colonel W. H. McAllister
• Major Jacob Kohler
• Major Darius Titus
• Major James A. Congdon
• Major William Bell
• Major Nathaniel Payn
• Major Edson Gerry
• Major David B. Jenkins
• Major W. H. McAllister
• Major John Johnson
• Major George W. Henrie

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 113th Pennsylvania Regiment, 12th Pennsylvania Cavalry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster provides names, ranks, and service details as recorded in official state and federal records.

To view the complete roster, visit the 113th Pennsylvania Regiment, 12th Pennsylvania Cavalry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes and parts (see index for cavalry operations in the Eastern Theater)
• Pennsylvania Adjutant General’s Report, annual reports for 1862–1865
• Dyer, Frederick H. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion
• Fox, William F. Regimental Losses in the American Civil War
• The Union Army, Federal Publishing Company, 1908, Volume 1