3rd New York Cavalry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 3rd New York Cavalry (Three Years’ Service) was a Union cavalry regiment organized in New York State during the summer of 1861. The regiment was authorized by the War Department on July 26, 1861, and companies were recruited from various locations across New York, with one company initially raised in Ohio and another in New Jersey. The regiment served in the Eastern Theater, participating in numerous campaigns and engagements throughout the war, and was noted for its extensive service and high number of engagements.

This unit is distinct from any other New York cavalry regiments with different service terms.

Organization & Service

The 3rd New York Cavalry (Three Years’ Service) began organizing in the summer of 1861, with companies mustered into U.S. service between May 14 and September 13, 1861, at Syracuse, Albany, Elmira, Boonville, and Cincinnati, Ohio. The regiment was formally organized at Meridian Hill, Washington, D.C., in early September 1861, under Colonel James H. Van Alen. Companies were recruited from Rochester, Syracuse, Schoharie, Schenevus, Schaghticoke, Albany, Cobleskill, Gallupville, Unadilla, Delhi, Deposit, Elmira, Margaretville, Middletown, Walton, Medina, Newstead, Newfane, Utica, Leyden, Boonville, Lowville, Watson, Brockport, Cincinnati, and Xenia, Ohio. The original Company M, a New Jersey unit, was transferred in April 1862 to the 1st New Jersey Cavalry, and a new Company M was raised in September 1862.

The regiment was initially attached to Banks’ and Stone’s divisions, Army of the Potomac, until April 1862. It was then ordered to the Department of North Carolina and later served with the 18th Army Corps through 1862 and 1863. In April 1864, the 3rd New York Cavalry was assigned to the 1st Brigade, Kautz’s Cavalry Division, Army of the James, participating in significant operations, including the Petersburg Campaign. The regiment suffered heavy losses in actions at Petersburg in May 1864, the South Side and Danville Railroad raid in June, and the Darbytown Road in October. Colonel Van Alen resigned in April 1862, succeeded by Colonel Simon H. Mix, who led until his death in June 1864, after which Colonel George W. Lewis assumed command. In July 1865, while stationed at Norfolk, Virginia, the regiment was consolidated to five companies and, on July 21, 1865, was merged with the 1st New York Mounted Rifles to form the 4th Provisional Regiment Volunteer Cavalry.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Operations in the Army of the Potomac, 1861–1862
• Department of North Carolina operations, 1862–1863
• 18th Army Corps campaigns, 1862–1863
• Assigned to Kautz’s Cavalry Division, Army of the James, 1864–1865
• Operations against Petersburg, May 1864
• Raid to the South Side and Danville Railroads, June 1864
• Action on the Darbytown Road, October 1864
• Numerous minor engagements and skirmishes (totaling approximately 122 recorded actions)

Casualties

• Killed in action or mortally wounded: 3 officers, 48 enlisted men
• Died of disease, accidents, etc.: 1 officer, 155 enlisted men
• Total deaths: 207 (including 38 enlisted men who died as prisoners)
• Missing: 5 officers, 170 enlisted men

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel James H. Van Alen
• Colonel Simon H. Mix
• Colonel George W. Lewis
• Lieutenant Colonel Simon H. Mix
• Lieutenant Colonel John Mix
• Lieutenant Colonel Ferris Jacobs, Jr.
• Lieutenant Colonel Samuel C. Pierce
• Major John Mix
• Major Charles Fitz Simmons
• Major Ferris Jacobs, Jr.
• Major Alonzo Stearns
• Major Israel H. Putnam
• Major George W. Lewis
• Major George W. Cole
• Major John M. Wilson
• Major Jeptha Garrard
• Major Newton Hall
• Major John Ebbs

Regimental Roster

The complete roster of the 3rd New York Cavalry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster provides details on enlistment, rank, and service history for each member of the regiment.

To view the full roster, visit the 3rd New York Cavalry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes IX, XVIII, XXVII, XXXVI, XL, XLII
• New York State Adjutant General’s Report, Annual Reports for 1861–1865
• Dyer, Frederick H. “A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion”
• Fox, William F. “Regimental Losses in the American Civil War”
• Contemporary regimental and state histories