163rd Pennsylvania Regiment, 18th PA Cavalry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 18th Pennsylvania Cavalry (163rd Pennsylvania Regiment) served as a Union cavalry regiment during the American Civil War. Organized at Camp Curtin in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the regiment was mustered into United States service between October 1862 and February 1863 for a three-year term. The unit drew recruits from across the state and played a significant role in the cavalry operations of the Army of the Potomac, participating in major campaigns in the Eastern Theater.

Known for its active service in numerous engagements, the 18th Pennsylvania Cavalry was involved in key battles such as Gettysburg, Hanover, and Cedar Creek. The regiment was ultimately consolidated with the 22nd Pennsylvania Cavalry in June 1865 to form the 3rd Provisional Cavalry.

Organization & Service

The 18th Pennsylvania Cavalry was organized at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, with companies mustered in from October 1862 through February 1863. Initially only partially organized and equipped, the regiment moved to Bladensburg, Maryland, and then to the vicinity of Long Bridge, Virginia, by January 1, 1863. In early February, Companies L and M joined, completing the regiment’s organization.

The regiment was first brigaded with the 5th New York and 1st Vermont Cavalry under Colonel Wyndham. In the spring of 1863, it was assigned to General Custer’s Michigan Brigade within Brigadier General Stahel’s division. The unit spent several months covering the defenses of Washington and guarding the Blue Ridge gaps before moving with its division to Middletown, Virginia, and joining the 3rd Division, Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac under General Kilpatrick.

During the Gettysburg Campaign, the regiment marched through Littlestown and Hanover, serving as rear guard and engaging Confederate cavalry at Hanover. On July 3, 1863, the 18th Pennsylvania Cavalry was heavily engaged at Gettysburg. Following the battle, it participated in the pursuit of Confederate forces, capturing prisoners and artillery at Monterey Springs and engaging at Hagerstown, Brandy Station, Culpeper, Buckland Mills, and New Baltimore through the fall of 1863. The regiment wintered at Stevensburg, Virginia.

In February 1864, the 18th participated in General Kilpatrick’s raid on Richmond. During the Overland Campaign, it narrowly escaped capture at the Wilderness and fought at Spotsylvania on May 7. The regiment continued with General Sheridan’s cavalry toward Richmond, later rejoining the main army at the South Anna River. Duties included picketing, scouting, and further engagements at St. Mary’s Church, Yellow House, and in the Shenandoah Valley.

In the Valley Campaigns of 1864, the regiment fought at Fisher’s Hill, Winchester, and Cedar Creek, then wintered at Harper’s Ferry. In early 1865, it joined the raid on Waynesboro and was detailed to guard prisoners to Winchester. The regiment remained there until May 1865, when Company E was mustered out on June 14. The remainder of the regiment was consolidated with the 22nd Pennsylvania Cavalry on June 24, 1865, forming the 3rd Provisional Cavalry, which served at Clarksburg, West Virginia, until final muster out on October 31, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Defenses of Washington, D.C. (Winter 1862–1863)
• Hanover, Pennsylvania (June 30, 1863)
• Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (July 3, 1863)
• Monterey Springs, Pennsylvania (July 1863)
• Hagerstown, Maryland (July 1863)
• Brandy Station, Virginia (September and October 1863)
• Culpeper, Virginia (September 1863)
• Buckland Mills, Virginia (November 1863)
• New Baltimore, Virginia (November 1863)
• Stevensburg, Virginia (Winter 1863–1864)
• Kilpatrick’s Raid on Richmond (February–March 1864)
• Wilderness Campaign (May 1864)
• Spotsylvania, Virginia (May 7, 1864)
• St. Mary’s Church, Virginia (June 1864)
• Yellow House, Virginia (June 1864)
• Shenandoah Valley Campaign (August–October 1864)
• Fisher’s Hill, Virginia (September 1864)
• Winchester, Virginia (September 1864)
• Cedar Creek, Virginia (October 1864)
• Waynesboro Raid (March 1865)

Casualties

According to available sources, the 18th Pennsylvania Cavalry suffered significant losses during its service. Fox’s Regimental Losses and state reports indicate the following:

• Killed or mortally wounded: 5 officers, 61 enlisted men
• Died of disease: 2 officers, 164 enlisted men
• Total deaths: 232

Some details are incomplete in surviving primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Timothy M. Bryan, Jr.
• Colonel T. F. Rodenbough
• Lieutenant Colonel James Gowan
• Lieutenant Colonel William P. Brinton
• Lieutenant Colonel John W. Phillips
• Major Joseph Gilmore
• Major William B. Darlington
• Major Henry B. Van Voorhis
• Major John W. Phillips
• Major William H. Page
• Major John Britton

Regimental Roster

The complete roster of officers and enlisted men who served in the 18th Pennsylvania Cavalry (163rd Pennsylvania Regiment) is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster includes details on enlistment, rank, and service record for each member of the regiment.

To view the full roster, visit the 18th Pennsylvania Cavalry (163rd Pennsylvania Regiment) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes 25, 27, 29, 36, 43
• Pennsylvania Adjutant General’s Report, 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