185th Pennsylvania Regiment, 22nd PA Cavalry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 22nd Pennsylvania Cavalry (185th Regiment of the Line) was a Union cavalry regiment organized at Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, on February 22, 1864, for three years’ service. The regiment was formed by consolidating companies from earlier short-term and independent cavalry organizations, including reenlisted men from the 22nd Pennsylvania Cavalry (Six Months’ Service), the Ringgold Battalion, and the “Washington” and “Lafayette” cavalry companies. The unit served primarily in the Shenandoah Valley and western Virginia, participating in several major campaigns and engagements during 1864 and 1865.

This unit is distinct from the 22nd Pennsylvania Cavalry (Six Months’ Service).

Organization & Service

The 22nd Pennsylvania Cavalry (Three Years’ Service) was organized at Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, on February 22, 1864. Its formation resulted from the consolidation of five companies of reenlisted men from the 22nd Pennsylvania Cavalry (Six Months’ Service), five companies from the Ringgold Battalion, and the “Washington” and “Lafayette” cavalry companies. The Ringgold Battalion itself comprised several companies organized in Washington, Pennsylvania, and Wheeling, Virginia, between 1861 and 1862, many of which had already seen independent service in West Virginia.

Prior to consolidation, these companies participated in actions at Blue’s Gap, Bloomery Gap, Strasburg, Columbia Furnace, Two Churches, Rude’s Hill, North River Mills, and Dashu’s Mills. After the Battle of Gettysburg, they joined the pursuit of Lee’s army and were engaged at Petersburg, Lexington, and Moorefield in early 1864. The six months’ battalion, organized in June 1863, guarded the fords of the Susquehanna and picketed approaches to the Cumberland Valley, joining the pursuit of Lee after Gettysburg and serving in the Shenandoah Valley until reorganization in February 1864.

In March 1864, the regiment moved to Cumberland, Maryland, where it was united with the Ringgold Battalion. In April, 700 men not yet mounted proceeded to Pleasant Valley, Maryland, to receive horses and equipment. By mid-June, the regiment was ordered to Martinsburg, temporarily armed as infantry and assigned to Mulligan’s brigade. It engaged Early’s Confederate forces at Martinsburg and Maryland Heights in July, and fought at Snicker’s Gap on July 17. Soon after, the regiment was fully mounted and joined General Torbert’s cavalry in Sheridan’s Shenandoah Valley Campaign.

The regiment participated in actions at Kernstown, Opequon, Berryville, Charlestown, Halltown, and other locations. A detachment under Major Work remained at Cumberland, serving in the campaign against Lynchburg and fighting at New Market, Kernstown, and Moorefield. After reuniting at Hagerstown, the regiment joined General Averell’s command and was engaged at Martinsburg, Bunker Hill, Stephenson’s Depot, Darkesville, and Bucklestown. On September 18, it charged Confederate forces at Martinsburg and, the following day, participated in a cavalry charge at Opequon, capturing a battery and 80 prisoners.

The regiment continued to see action at Fisher’s Hill, Brown’s Gap, Weyer’s Cave, and Cedar Creek, suffering significant casualties. After returning to Martinsburg in late 1864, the regiment performed picket and scouting duty in Hardy, Hampshire, and Pendleton counties through the winter. Companies E and F were mustered out on July 19, 1865. The remaining companies were consolidated with the 18th Pennsylvania Cavalry on June 24, 1865, to form the 3rd Provisional Cavalry, which was mustered out on October 31, 1865, at Cumberland, Maryland.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Blue’s Gap
• Bloomery Gap
• Strasburg
• Columbia Furnace
• Two Churches
• Rude’s Hill
• North River Mills
• Dashu’s Mills
• Petersburg (WV)
• Lexington (VA)
• Moorefield
• Martinsburg
• Maryland Heights
• Snicker’s Gap
• Kernstown
• Opequon
• Berryville
• Charlestown
• Halltown
• New Market
• Stephenson’s Depot
• Bunker Hill
• Darkesville
• Bucklestown
• Fisher’s Hill
• Brown’s Gap
• Weyer’s Cave
• Cedar Creek

Casualties

Specific casualty figures for the 22nd Pennsylvania Cavalry (Three Years’ Service) are not fully detailed in available primary sources. The regiment is reported to have suffered significant losses in actions at Charlestown, Weyer’s Cave, and Cedar Creek, with officers including Major Work and Adjutant Isenberg among the severely wounded.

Some details are incomplete in surviving primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Jacob Higgins
• Lieutenant Colonel A. J. Greenfield
• Major George T. Work
• Major Elias S. Troxell
• Major Henry A. Myers

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 22nd Pennsylvania Cavalry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available on the regiment’s roster page. This resource provides names, ranks, and additional service details for those who served in the unit.

To view the complete roster, visit the 22nd Pennsylvania Cavalry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes and parts (see reports on operations in the Shenandoah Valley and West Virginia, 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, Federal Publishing Company, 1908, Vol. 1