117th Pennsylvania Regiment, 13th PA Cavalry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 13th Pennsylvania Cavalry (117th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers) served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Organized primarily in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, the regiment was mustered into United States service in the fall of 1861 for a three years’ term. Initially intended as a squadron of Irish dragoons to join the Irish Brigade, the unit expanded into a full regiment by mid-1862. The 13th Pennsylvania Cavalry participated in operations across the Eastern Theater, including significant actions in Virginia, Maryland, and North Carolina.

This regiment is distinct from Pennsylvania infantry units and other cavalry regiments with different service terms.

Organization & Service

The 13th Pennsylvania Cavalry was recruited in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh and mustered into service at Philadelphia in the fall of 1861 for three years. The regiment was first ordered to Baltimore, Maryland, where it was organized into a full regiment by the addition of six companies in July and August 1862. On September 24, 1862, the regiment left Baltimore. Three companies were posted along the Potomac River between Berlin and Edwards Ferry for guard duty, while the remaining companies operated in Loudoun and Jefferson counties to prevent communication between local inhabitants and Confederate forces.

In February 1863, the regiment moved to Winchester, Virginia, where it was joined by its tenth company in March. The 13th Cavalry conducted numerous expeditions in the surrounding region, frequently encountering Confederate cavalry and sustaining losses. On June 11, 1863, the regiment fought at Middletown, and in the following days was engaged at Winchester, after which it withdrew to Harper’s Ferry with only half its members fit for duty. Leaving Harper’s Ferry on June 30, the regiment joined the Army of the Potomac at Boonesboro on July 8 and was assigned to the 2nd Brigade (Col. J. I. Gregg), Gen. D. McM. Gregg’s Division. The regiment encamped at Amissville and Jefferson, and was engaged at Culpeper in September. After a month at Catlett’s Station, it returned to Culpeper and received a new company from Huntingdon County. The regiment then moved to Jeffersonton, where it was attacked in October and forced to retire. Two additional companies from Huntingdon County joined in November as the regiment returned from the Mine Run campaign.

During the winter of 1863–64, the 13th Pennsylvania Cavalry was assigned to duty along the Orange & Alexandria Railroad near Bristoe Station. The regiment was reorganized on February 8, 1864, consolidating into twelve companies from the original fifteen. In the Wilderness Campaign, the regiment was initially on duty with the IX Corps at the rear until May 5, after which it participated in several actions with the army’s advance. It rejoined its brigade at White’s Tavern on May 26 and took part in Gen. Sheridan’s expedition toward Richmond, including the engagement at Haw’s Shop. The regiment fought at Trevilian Station in June, followed by actions at Jones’ Bridge and Samaria Church. In July, it supported Wilson’s cavalry during the return from the Danville Railroad raid and participated in the raid on the Jerusalem Plank Road and the movement to Lee’s Mill. During this period, a detachment of fifty men was captured while guarding commissary supplies.

In September 1864, the regiment was engaged at Wyatt’s Farm and participated in the battles at Hatcher’s Run and Dabney’s Mill, where Gen. Gregg was wounded. In February 1865, the regiment was ordered to Wilmington, North Carolina, and then to Elizabethtown, where it reported to Gen. Sherman and became part of the 3rd Brigade, Kilpatrick’s Division, with Col. Kerwin in command. After the Confederate surrender, the regiment was posted at Fayetteville to maintain order, and on July 14, 1865, it moved to Raleigh and was mustered out of service.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Guard duty along the Potomac (1862)
• Operations in Loudoun and Jefferson counties (1862–1863)
• Winchester and Middletown (June 1863)
• Retreat to Harper’s Ferry (June 1863)
• Army of the Potomac operations (July 1863–1864)
• Culpeper (September 1863)
• Mine Run Campaign (November 1863)
• Wilderness Campaign (May 1864)
• White’s Tavern (May 1864)
• Haw’s Shop (May 1864)
• Trevilian Station (June 1864)
• Jones’ Bridge, Samaria Church (June 1864)
• Wilson’s Raid and Jerusalem Plank Road (July 1864)
• Wyatt’s Farm (September 1864)
• Hatcher’s Run, Dabney’s Mill (late 1864–early 1865)
• Wilmington and Elizabethtown, North Carolina (February 1865)
• Post-surrender duties at Fayetteville and Raleigh (July 1865)

Casualties

Specific casualty figures for the 13th Pennsylvania Cavalry (117th Regiment) are not fully detailed in all primary sources. Available reports indicate the regiment sustained losses in multiple engagements, particularly at Winchester, Middletown, Trevilian Station, and during the Wilderness Campaign. For precise numbers, consult the Pennsylvania Adjutant General’s reports and Dyer’s Compendium.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel James A. Galligher
• Colonel Michael Kerwin
• Lieutenant Colonel James A. Galligher
• Lieutenant Colonel Peter C. Shannon
• Lieutenant Colonel Garrick Mallery, Jr.
• Lieutenant Colonel Jacob H. Dewees
• Major Henry A. White
• Major M. J. Byrne
• Major Michael Kerwin
• Major Jacob H. Dewees
• Major George F. McCabe
• Major Timothy A. Byrne
• Major Henry H. Gregg
• Major John W. Berks

Regimental Roster

The full roster of officers and enlisted men who served in the 13th Pennsylvania Cavalry (117th Regiment) is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster includes names, ranks, and service details as recorded in official state and federal records.

To view the complete roster, visit the 13th Pennsylvania Cavalry (117th Regiment) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes and parts (see Army of the Potomac and Cavalry Corps reports, 1862–1865)
• Pennsylvania Adjutant General’s Report, 1861–1865
• 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, Vol. 1