Overview
The 10th New York Cavalry (Three Years’ Service), also known as the Porter Guard, served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Organized at Elmira, New York, the regiment was composed of companies recruited from Chemung, Chenango, Cortland, Erie, Fulton, Onondaga, and Steuben counties. It was mustered into federal service between September 27 and December 28, 1861, and served primarily in the Eastern Theater. The regiment is recognized by Col. Fox as one of the “three hundred fighting regiments” of the war, reflecting its extensive combat record and notable service.
The 10th New York Cavalry participated in numerous major campaigns and engagements, including the Manassas, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Overland, and Appomattox campaigns. The regiment was consolidated with the 24th New York Cavalry on July 10, 1865, forming the 1st Provisional Regiment New York Cavalry.
Organization & Service
The 10th New York Cavalry began organizing at Elmira in the fall of 1861. Companies A through H were mustered into United States service from September 27 to December 28, 1861, for three years. Companies I, K, and L were mustered in on October 29–30, 1862, and Company M in November and December 1862. Companies I, K, and L joined the regiment in December 1862, and Company M in February 1863, completing the regimental organization.
The first eight companies departed New York on December 24, 1861, and were stationed at Gettysburg for the winter. In the spring and summer of 1862, the regiment performed railroad guard duty and served in the defenses of Washington, D.C., where it was mounted. The 10th New York Cavalry saw its first active service during the Manassas campaign of 1862 and was attached to Bayard’s brigade at Fredericksburg. During the Chancellorsville campaign, it participated in the Stoneman raid as part of the 1st Brigade, 3rd Cavalry Division.
On June 14, 1863, the regiment was assigned to the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division (under Gen. D. McM. Gregg), where it remained until the end of the war. Brigade commanders included Gens. J. I. Gregg and H. E. Davies, Jr. The regiment was engaged in heavy fighting at Brandy Station in June 1863 and participated in numerous subsequent actions, including Middleburg, Sulphur Springs, Auburn, Bristoe Station, Haw’s Shop, Hanoverton, Trevilian Station, St. Mary’s Church, Boydton Road, and the Appomattox campaign.
At the expiration of their service in the fall of 1864, the original members of the first eight companies, except veterans and recruits, were mustered out. The regiment continued in service until July 10, 1865, when it was consolidated with the 24th New York Cavalry to form the 1st Provisional Regiment New York Cavalry.
Research This Regiment Further
If you’d like to explore this unit’s history in more depth, regimental histories and Civil War reference works offer valuable detail.
Engagements & Campaigns
- Manassas Campaign (1862)
- Fredericksburg
- Stoneman’s Raid (Chancellorsville Campaign)
- Brandy Station
- Middleburg
- Gettysburg
- Shepherdstown
- Sulphur Springs
- Auburn
- Bristoe Station
- Morrisville
- Todd’s Tavern
- Near Richmond
- Haw’s Shop
- Hanoverton
- Trevilian Station
- King and Queen Court House
- St. Mary’s Church
- Deep Bottom
- Lee’s Mill
- Reams’ Station
- Poplar Spring Church
- Boydton Road
- Prince George Court House
- Disputanta Station
- Stony Creek Station
- Hatcher’s Run
- Dinwiddie Court House
- Sailor’s Creek
- Farmville
Casualties
According to Fox and official records, the 10th New York Cavalry lost 9 officers and 97 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded in action. One officer and 151 enlisted men died of disease, accident, or while in prison. The total loss during service was 258 out of an enrollment of 2,029 officers and men. Losses in specific engagements included:
- Brandy Station: 6 killed, 18 wounded, 61 missing
- Middleburg: 30 total casualties
- Sulphur Springs, Auburn, Bristoe, Catlett’s Station (October 1863): 53 total casualties
- Haw’s Shop and Hanoverton: 42 total casualties
- Trevilian Station: 21 total casualties
- St. Mary’s Church: 22 total casualties
- Boydton Road: 17 total casualties
- Appomattox Campaign: 72 killed, wounded, and missing
Field Officers & Commanders
- Colonel John C. Lemmon
- Colonel William Irvine
- Colonel Mathew H. Avery
- Lieutenant Colonel William Irvine
- Lieutenant Colonel Mathew H. Avery
- Lieutenant Colonel Frederick L. Tremain (died of wounds, Hatcher’s Run)
- Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin F. Sceva
- Major George W. Kennedy
- Major James M. Reynolds
- Major John H. Kemper
- Major Theodore H. Weed
- Major Martin H. Blynn
- Major Alva D. Waters
- Major William A. Snyder
Notable acts of gallantry were recognized with Medals of Honor awarded to Corporal Andrew Bringle, Corporal James L. Cary, Captain N. D. Preston, and Sergeant Llewellyn P. Norton.
Regimental Roster
The full roster of the 10th 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 10th New York Cavalry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.
Sources & References
- Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes XIX, XXV, XXVII, XXXVI, XL, XLVI
- Annual Report of the Adjutant-General of the State of New York (various years, 1861–1865)
- Dyer, Frederick H., A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion
- Fox, William F., Regimental Losses in the American Civil War
- Regimental muster-out rolls and contemporary wartime reports