181st Pennsylvania Regiment, 20th PA Cavalry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 20th Pennsylvania Cavalry (Three Years’ Service) was a Union cavalry regiment organized in Pennsylvania during the American Civil War. The regiment was mustered in at Harrisburg and Philadelphia in January and February 1864 for three years’ service, following the expiration of its earlier six months’ term. It served primarily in the Shenandoah Valley and participated in several major campaigns and engagements in Virginia.

This unit is distinct from the 20th Pennsylvania Cavalry (Six Months’ Service).

Organization & Service

Efforts to reorganize the 20th Pennsylvania Cavalry for three years’ service began before the expiration of its six months’ term. The regiment was mustered in at Harrisburg and Philadelphia in January and February 1864. Once organized, it was assigned to duty under General Franz Sigel in the Shenandoah Valley. The regiment saw action at New Market in May 1864, suffering some losses, and participated in engagements at Staunton, New Glasgow, Lynchburg, and Salem in June.

In July 1864, the 20th Pennsylvania Cavalry was active at Snicker’s Gap, where it lost 14 men, and made a notable charge at Winchester. Shortly after, it attacked the rear of General Early’s column at Ashby’s Gap, incurring a loss of 108 killed, wounded, and missing. When General Philip Sheridan assumed command of the Valley forces in August, the regiment was assigned to the 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, under General Devin. The 20th participated fully in Sheridan’s Valley Campaign and went into winter quarters with its brigade at the campaign’s conclusion.

In late February 1865, the regiment joined Sheridan’s cavalry raid toward Lynchburg and, in March, moved to the front of Petersburg. The 20th Pennsylvania Cavalry took part in the final campaign leading to the Confederate surrender at Appomattox on April 9, 1865, remaining active and engaged throughout. On June 17, 1865, the regiment was consolidated with the 2nd Pennsylvania Cavalry to form the 1st Pennsylvania Provisional Cavalry and was mustered out on July 13, 1865, at Cloud’s Mills, Virginia.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Shenandoah Valley operations (Spring–Summer 1864)
• Battle of New Market (May 1864)
• Staunton, New Glasgow, Lynchburg, Salem (June 1864)
• Snicker’s Gap (July 1864)
• Winchester (July 1864)
• Ashby’s Gap (July 1864)
• Sheridan’s Valley Campaign (August–October 1864)
• Sheridan’s Raid toward Lynchburg (February 1865)
• Operations before Petersburg (March–April 1865)
• Appomattox Campaign (March–April 1865)

Casualties

During its three years’ service, the 20th Pennsylvania Cavalry suffered losses in several engagements. At Ashby’s Gap alone, the regiment lost 108 killed, wounded, and missing. Specific total casualty figures for the entire term are not fully detailed in available primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel John E. Wynkoop
• Colonel Gabriel Middleton
• Lieutenant Colonel Gabriel Middleton
• Lieutenant Colonel Robert W. Douglass
• Major J. Harry Thorp
• Major Robert W. Douglass
• Major W. W. Anderson
• Major Samuel Comfort
• Major M. B. Strickler

Regimental Roster

The complete roster of the 20th Pennsylvania Cavalry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster provides names, ranks, and additional service details where known.

To view the full roster, visit the 20th 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 Shenandoah, 1864–1865)
• 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, Vol. 1 (Federal Publishing Company, 1908)