Overview
The 11th New York Cavalry (Three Years’ Service), also known as “Scott’s 900,” was a Union cavalry regiment recruited from across New York State and organized in New York City. The regiment was mustered into United States service between December 1861 and September 1862 for three years. It served primarily in the Eastern and Western theaters, participating in operations in the Military District of Washington, the Department of the Gulf, and the Department of the Cumberland.
The 11th New York Cavalry was notable for its wide-ranging service, including actions in Maryland, Virginia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee. The regiment suffered significant losses, both in combat and due to disease and accidents, including the loss of men in the sinking of the steamer North America in December 1864.
Organization & Service
The 11th New York Cavalry was organized at New York City, with the first ten companies mustered into service between December 1861 and May 1862. Companies L and M were mustered in during August and September 1862, joining the regiment in October. The regiment left New York on May 5, 1862, and was assigned to the Military District of Washington, 22nd Army Corps. Portions of the regiment were detached to serve in the 8th Corps, Middle Department, until March 1864.
During its early service, the regiment was engaged in several actions in Virginia and Maryland, including Blue Ridge, Poolesville, Fairfax Court House, Bolivar Heights, Harper’s Ferry, Halltown, Edwards’ Ferry, Leesburg, and Rockville. Notably, at Poolesville, the regiment suffered 4 wounded and 16 missing, and at Fairfax Court House, a squadron under Major Remington was largely captured after a determined resistance.
In March 1864, the 11th New York Cavalry was transferred to the Department of the Gulf, participating in operations in Louisiana and Mississippi, including actions at New River, Manning’s Plantation, Doyal’s Plantation (where 2 were wounded and 98 captured), Bayou Sara, Jackson, Clinton, Brookhaven, Liberty, Franklin, and Ocean Springs. Early in 1865, the regiment was transferred to the Department of the Cumberland, where it was engaged near Memphis, Tennessee, and at Germantown, Mississippi, suffering further casualties.
On July 21, 1865, the original members (except veterans) were mustered out, and the remaining veterans and recruits were consolidated into a battalion of four companies. This battalion remained in service until September 30, 1865, when it was mustered out at Memphis, Tennessee.
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
- Blue Ridge, Virginia
- Poolesville, Maryland
- Fairfax Court House, Virginia
- Bolivar Heights, Virginia
- Harper’s Ferry, Virginia
- Halltown, Virginia
- Edwards’ Ferry, Virginia
- Leesburg, Virginia
- Rockville, Maryland
- New River, Louisiana
- Manning’s Plantation, Louisiana
- Doyal’s Plantation, Louisiana
- Bayou Sara, Louisiana
- Jackson, Louisiana
- Clinton, Louisiana
- Brookhaven, Mississippi
- Liberty, Mississippi
- Franklin, Mississippi
- Ocean Springs, Mississippi
- Near Memphis, Tennessee (March 1865)
- Germantown, Mississippi (April 1865)
Casualties
- Killed in action or died of wounds: 1 officer, 22 enlisted men
- Died of disease, accidents, in prison, etc.: 2 officers, 319 enlisted men
- Total deaths: 344
- Additional losses occurred by drowning in the sinking of the steamer North America off Florida, December 22, 1864
Field Officers & Commanders
- Colonel James B. Swain
- Colonel John P. Sherburne
- Colonel Samuel H. Wilkeson
- Lieutenant Colonel L. P. Di Cesnola
- Lieutenant Colonel William W. Bennett
- Lieutenant Colonel Samuel H. Wilkeson
- Lieutenant Colonel Michael A. McCallum
- Major William W. Bennett
- Major Seth P. Remington
- Major Horace D. Ellsworth
- Major George W. Richardson
- Major Wilbur F. Raymond
- Major Joseph C. Kenyon
- Major Thomas F. Gamble
- Major George W. Smith
- Major Augustus Pruyn
Regimental Roster
The full roster of the 11th New York Cavalry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster provides names, ranks, and service details as recorded in official state and federal records.
To view the complete roster, visit the 11th New York Cavalry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.
Sources & References
- Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes and parts
- 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