9th New York Cavalry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 9th New York Cavalry (Three Years’ Service) was a Union cavalry regiment organized at Albany, New York, during the summer and fall of 1861. Its companies were recruited from the counties of Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Wyoming, Rensselaer, Washington, St. Lawrence, and Clinton. The regiment served in the Eastern Theater throughout the Civil War, earning distinction for its gallantry and efficiency in numerous campaigns and engagements. Notably, Privates Jeremiah Park and George Reynolds were awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions during service.

This unit served for three years and continued in the field with veterans and recruits after the original members’ terms expired, remaining active until July 1865.

Organization & Service

The 9th New York Cavalry was authorized by the state and organized at Albany, with mustering into U.S. service occurring between September 9 and December 13, 1861. Colonel John Beardsley, a West Point graduate with prior military experience, was the regiment’s first commander. The regiment left New York for Washington, D.C., on November 26, 1861, serving in the defenses of the capital through the winter.

In March 1862, four companies were detached for service with the reserve artillery, while the remaining companies served as train guards on the Peninsula with the Army of the Potomac. The regiment was mounted in June 1862 and assigned to the cavalry brigade, 1st Corps, Army of Virginia, participating in General Pope’s campaign. Subsequently, the 9th New York Cavalry became part of the cavalry of the Army of the Potomac, engaging in frequent actions throughout late 1862, including significant losses at Thoroughfare Gap and Aldie.

During 1863, the regiment served in the 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Army of the Potomac, through the Chancellorsville and Gettysburg campaigns, and later in the 2nd Brigade, same division, for subsequent operations in Virginia. The regiment was heavily engaged at Beverly Ford, Brandy Station, and near Culpeper, sustaining notable casualties.

In 1864, the 9th New York Cavalry participated in the Overland Campaign, including the Wilderness and Spotsylvania battles, and joined Sheridan’s raid to the James River. The regiment was active at Totopotomy, Cold Harbor, and suffered severe losses at Trevilian Station during Sheridan’s Trevilian raid. It continued to serve before Petersburg and took part in operations at Deep Bottom, Berryville, Newtown, Cedar Creek, Cedarville, Summit Point, Kearneysville, Smithfield, and other skirmishes during the summer and fall.

As part of the Army of the Shenandoah, the regiment fought at Opequan, Fisher’s Hill, Winchester, Cedar Creek, and Middletown, participating in Sheridan’s campaign to clear the Shenandoah Valley. The 9th New York Cavalry was present during the final Appomattox Campaign in 1865.

At the expiration of its original term, non-veterans were mustered out, and the regiment continued with veterans and recruits. On March 29, 1865, it was consolidated into nine companies, incorporating the battalion of the 4th New York Cavalry as Companies B, E, and L. The regiment was mustered out and honorably discharged at Cloud’s Mills, Virginia, on July 17, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Defenses of Washington, D.C. (Winter 1861–62)
• Peninsula Campaign (1862)
• Pope’s Campaign in Northern Virginia (1862)
• Thoroughfare Gap (October 1862)
• Aldie (November 1862)
• Chancellorsville Campaign (Spring 1863)
• Gettysburg Campaign (Summer 1863)
• Beverly Ford
• Brandy Station
• Operations near Culpeper
• Overland Campaign: Wilderness, Spotsylvania (Spring 1864)
• Sheridan’s Raid to the James River
• Totopotomy
• Cold Harbor
• Sheridan’s Trevilian Raid (Trevilian Station)
• Siege of Petersburg (June 1864–April 1865)
• Deep Bottom, Berryville, Newtown, Cedar Creek, Cedarville, Summit Point, Kearneysville, Smithfield (Summer–Fall 1864)
• Opequan, Fisher’s Hill, Winchester, Cedar Creek, Middletown (Shenandoah Valley Campaign, Fall 1864)
• Appomattox Campaign (Spring 1865)

Casualties

• Killed or died of wounds: 8 officers, 89 enlisted men
• Missing: 4 officers, 135 enlisted men
• Wounded (including mortally wounded): 304 officers and men
• Died of accident, disease, in prison, etc.: 5 officers, 122 enlisted men
• Total deaths from all causes: 224

Some figures reflect aggregate losses reported in official sources; breakdowns by engagement may vary.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel John Beardsley
• Colonel William Sackett
• Colonel George S. Nichols
• Lieutenant Colonel William B. Hyde
• Lieutenant Colonel Wilber G. Bentley
• Lieutenant Colonel Timothy Hanley
• Major William B. Martin
• Major Henry W. Mason
• Major Charles McL. Knox
• Major James R. Dinnin
• Major Joseph M. Kennedy
• Major Emery A. Anderson
• Major A. McQuinn Corrigan
• Major Conway W. Ayres
• Major Edward Schwartz

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 9th New York Cavalry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster provides details on company assignments, ranks, and service records.

To view the complete roster, visit the 9th New York Cavalry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes
• New York 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
• Contemporary regimental and state histories