161st Pennsylvania Regiment, 16th PA Cavalry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 16th Pennsylvania Cavalry (161st Regiment of the line) served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Organized as a cavalry regiment, it was recruited from across Pennsylvania and mustered into service at Camp Simmons near Harrisburg, later moving to Camp McClellan. The regiment entered United States service between September and mid-November 1862 for a three-year term. It was commanded initially by Colonel John Irvin Gregg, a veteran of the Mexican War and the regular army. The 16th Pennsylvania Cavalry served primarily in the Eastern Theater, attached to the Army of the Potomac and engaged in numerous campaigns and battles throughout its service.

Organization & Service

The 16th Pennsylvania Cavalry was organized at Camp Simmons and Camp McClellan, Pennsylvania, and mustered into U.S. service from September through mid-November 1862 for three years. Colonel John Irvin Gregg, an experienced officer, led the regiment. On November 30, 1862, the unit moved to Camp Casey near Bladensburg, Maryland, and by January 3, 1863, joined the Army of the Potomac at Falmouth, Virginia, assigned to Averell’s Division, Cavalry Corps.

During the winter of 1862-63, the regiment performed picket and guard duty, first encountering Confederate forces at Kelly’s Ford in March 1863. It participated in movements preceding the Chancellorsville Campaign but was not actively engaged in the main battle. At Brandy Station in May 1863, the regiment guarded supply trains. On June 11, it was assigned to the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, Cavalry Corps, with Col. J. Irvin Gregg commanding the brigade. During the Gettysburg Campaign, under Lt. Col. John K. Robison, the regiment fought at Middleburg and Upperville, and was lightly engaged at Gettysburg, suffering minor casualties. It pursued Confederate forces after Gettysburg, engaging at Halltown and Shepherdstown, with notable losses at the latter.

Throughout late 1863, the regiment was active in the Bristoe and Mine Run campaigns, skirmishing at Culpeper, Jeffersonton, Auburn, and along the Fredericksburg plank road. In early 1864, it participated in raids to Luray and Front Royal, and a detachment joined Kilpatrick’s raid toward Richmond. During the Overland Campaign, the regiment fought at the Wilderness, Todd’s Tavern, and in Sheridan’s May raid to Richmond. It was heavily engaged at Haw’s Shop, where Lt. Col. Robison was wounded, and at Trevilian Station and Samaria Church in June. Later actions included Malvern Hill, Strawberry Plains, Six-mile House, Weldon Railroad, Reams’ Station, Poplar Spring Church, Belcher’s Mills, Hatcher’s Run, and the capture of a fort at Stony Creek Station in December 1864.

In early 1865, the regiment fought at Dabney’s Mill and suffered severe losses at Dinwiddie Court House during the Appomattox Campaign. It was engaged at Five Forks, Amelia Springs, Sailor’s Creek, and Farmville. After the Confederate surrender, the 16th Pennsylvania Cavalry was stationed at Lynchburg, Virginia, for occupation duties before moving to Richmond, where it was mustered out on August 11, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Kelly’s Ford (March 1863)
• Chancellorsville Campaign (spring 1863)
• Brandy Station (May 1863)
• Gettysburg Campaign: Middleburg, Upperville, Gettysburg (June–July 1863)
• Halltown and Shepherdstown (July 1863)
• Culpeper, Jeffersonton, Auburn, Bristoe Station (fall 1863)
• Mine Run Campaign: Fredericksburg plank road, Parker’s Store (late 1863)
• Luray and Front Royal raids (winter 1863–64)
• Kilpatrick’s Raid (detachment, early 1864)
• Wilderness, Todd’s Tavern (May 1864)
• Sheridan’s Raid to Richmond (May 1864)
• Haw’s Shop (May 1864)
• Trevilian Station, Samaria Church (June 1864)
• Malvern Hill, Strawberry Plains, Six-mile House, Weldon Railroad, Reams’ Station, Poplar Spring Church, Belcher’s Mills, Hatcher’s Run, Stony Creek Station (1864)
• Dabney’s Mill (February 1865)
• Dinwiddie Court House, Five Forks, Amelia Springs, Sailor’s Creek, Farmville (spring 1865)

Casualties

According to available primary sources, the 16th Pennsylvania Cavalry sustained the following losses in key actions:

• Kelly’s Ford: slight loss (exact figures not specified)
• Gettysburg: 2 killed, 4 wounded
• Shepherdstown: 24 killed, wounded, and missing
• Haw’s Shop: 4 killed, 20 wounded
• Strawberry Plains: 7 killed, 24 wounded (2 officers and 22 men), out of less than 200 engaged
• Hatcher’s Run: 3 killed, 28 wounded

Total regimental losses for the entire term are not fully detailed in surviving sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel John Irvin Gregg
• Lieutenant Colonel Lorenzo D. Rodgers
• Lieutenant Colonel John K. Robison
• Major John K. Robison
• Major William A. West
• Major William H. Fry
• Major John Stroup
• Major Seth T. Kennedy
• Major Andrew F. Swan
• Major James C. Robinson
• Major Adam J. Snyder
• Major R. W. McDowell

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 16th Pennsylvania Cavalry (161st Regiment) includes officers, non-commissioned officers, and enlisted men who served during its three-year term. For researchers and genealogists seeking detailed information about individual soldiers, the complete roster is available on the regiment’s roster page.

To view the full list of members, visit the 16th Pennsylvania Cavalry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes and parts (Army of the Potomac, Cavalry Corps reports)
• Pennsylvania Adjutant General’s Report, annual volumes (rosters and summaries)
• 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