180th Pennsylvania Regiment, 19th PA Cavalry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 19th Pennsylvania Cavalry (180th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers) served as a Union cavalry regiment during the American Civil War. Organized primarily in Philadelphia, with Companies L and M recruited from Huntingdon and Blair counties, the regiment mustered into United States service at Camp Stanton, Philadelphia, between June and October 1863 for a three years’ service term. The regiment was composed largely of men and officers with prior military experience. It served in the Western Theater, participating in numerous campaigns and engagements across Tennessee, Mississippi, Missouri, and Louisiana.

The 19th Pennsylvania Cavalry was attached to various brigades and divisions within the Union cavalry, including Grierson’s Cavalry Division and later Wilson’s Cavalry Corps. The regiment was active in several significant operations, including the pursuit of Confederate General Hood’s army and the Battle of Nashville. The unit was mustered out of service on May 14, 1866, in New Orleans.

Organization & Service

The 19th Pennsylvania Cavalry was organized at Camp Stanton, Philadelphia, with mustering occurring from June through October 1863. Companies L and M were recruited from Huntingdon and Blair counties, while the remainder of the regiment was raised in Philadelphia. Most officers and men had previous military service. The regiment left for Washington, D.C., in early November 1863 and reported to General A. J. Smith at Columbus, Kentucky, on December 3. Three days later, it moved to Union City, Tennessee, and was assigned to the 1st Brigade (under Colonel Waring) of General Grierson’s Cavalry Division. At this time, Lieutenant Colonel Joseph C. Hess commanded the regiment, as Colonel Alexander Cummings was on detached service.

In February 1864, the regiment moved with its division to Collierville, Tennessee, and participated in a raid into Mississippi, reaching as far as West Point. The regiment assisted in destroying railroad infrastructure and large stores of grain and cotton. On February 22, it was engaged at Okolona, Mississippi, before returning to Memphis. The regiment lost 15 men killed, wounded, or missing during this expedition. On April 6, 1864, the regiment fought at Cypress Swamp, Tennessee, against forces under General Forrest, suffering additional losses, including the capture and subsequent death in captivity of Captain Wenrick (Company E).

After returning to Memphis on April 10, the regiment performed scout and picket duty, frequently sending detachments to harass Confederate forces. At the Battle of Brice’s Cross Roads, the regiment acted with the infantry and lost 15 men killed, wounded, or missing. In July, a detachment of 150 men was engaged at the Big Black River, Port Gibson, and Grand Gulf, Mississippi, under General Slocum. In August, the regiment fought at Coldwater, Oxford, and Hurricane Creek, Mississippi, as part of General A. J. Smith’s forces. During General Price’s invasion of Missouri in September, the regiment was active at Marion, Greensboro, Pilot Knob, and the Big Blue River, returning to Memphis on October 20.

In November 1864, the regiment skirmished on the flank of Hood’s army as it marched toward Nashville, with Company F heavily engaged at Nonconnah Creek. In December, the regiment moved to Nashville and was assigned to Hammond’s (1st) Brigade, Knipe’s (7th) Division, Cavalry Corps, under General Wilson. The 19th Pennsylvania Cavalry participated in the Battle of Nashville and the subsequent pursuit of Hood’s army, suffering losses at Hollow Tree Gap and Franklin, where it captured three stands of colors and 350 prisoners. The regiment continued the pursuit, engaging at Anthony’s Hill and Sugar Creek, with further casualties.

By early February 1865, the regiment was reduced in numbers and consolidated into a battalion of six companies, with surplus officers mustered out. On February 8, the battalion departed for New Orleans, arriving March 9, and moved to Baton Rouge on March 20, where it performed picket and scouting duties until mid-August. On June 13, the battalion was further reduced to four companies, which served by detachments in Louisiana and Texas until April 1866. The companies were then reunited at New Orleans, performed provost duty, and were mustered out on May 14, 1866.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Raid into Mississippi (February 1864), including West Point and Okolona
• Cypress Swamp, Tennessee (April 6, 1864)
• Scout and picket duty near Memphis, Tennessee (Spring 1864)
• Battle of Brice’s Cross Roads (June 1864)
• Big Black River, Port Gibson, Grand Gulf, Mississippi (July 1864)
• Coldwater, Oxford, Hurricane Creek, Mississippi (August 1864)
• Marion, Greensboro, Pilot Knob, Big Blue River, Missouri (September 1864)
• Nonconnah Creek, Tennessee (November 1864)
• Battle of Nashville (December 1864)
• Pursuit of Hood’s army, including Hollow Tree Gap, Franklin, Anthony’s Hill, and Sugar Creek (December 1864)
• Picket and scouting duty in Louisiana and Texas (1865–1866)

Casualties

During the raid into Mississippi in February 1864, the regiment lost 15 men killed, wounded, or missing. At Brice’s Cross Roads, losses were again 15 killed, wounded, or missing. During the pursuit of Hood’s army in December 1864, the regiment lost about 25 men killed, wounded, or missing, with 12 additional casualties at Anthony’s Hill and Sugar Creek. Detailed aggregate casualty figures for the entire service term are not fully reported in available primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Alexander Cummings
• Lieutenant Colonel Joseph C. Hess
• Lieutenant Colonel Frank Reeder
• Major Amos J. Holahan
• Major Norman M. Finlay
• Major Charles F. Huston
• Captain Wenrick (Company E, died in captivity)
• Captain Reeder (wounded at Franklin)
• Captain N. M. Smith (wounded at Franklin)
• Acting Adjutant Blackstone (wounded at Franklin)

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 19th Pennsylvania Cavalry, including officers and enlisted men who served during its three years’ service term, is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster provides names, ranks, and company assignments where known.

To view the complete roster, visit the 19th Pennsylvania Cavalry Regimental Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes 32, 39, 45 (reports and correspondence relating to the regiment’s operations)
• Pennsylvania State Adjutant General’s Report
• Dyer, Frederick H. “A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion”
• Fox, William F. “Regimental Losses in the American Civil War”
• The Union Army, Vol. 1 (Federal Publishing Company, 1908)