Overview
The 19th New York Cavalry (Union) was a cavalry regiment from New York State that served during the American Civil War. This unit is also known as the 1st New York Dragoons and was originally organized as the 130th New York Infantry before being converted to cavalry. The regiment served in the Union Army, primarily in the Eastern Theater, and participated in several significant campaigns and battles.
Due to its reorganization, the 19th New York Cavalry is closely associated with both the 130th New York Infantry and the 1st New York Dragoons. Its service record reflects this transition from infantry to cavalry duties.
Organization & Service
The regiment was originally organized as the 130th New York Infantry at Portage, New York, and mustered into United States service in September 1862. In August 1863, by order of the War Department, the regiment was converted to cavalry and designated as the 19th New York Cavalry. Shortly thereafter, it was officially renamed the 1st New York Dragoons.
As cavalry, the regiment was attached to various commands within the Army of the Potomac and the Army of the Shenandoah. It participated in the Overland Campaign, Sheridan’s Shenandoah Valley Campaign, and other operations in Virginia and the surrounding regions. The regiment was mustered out of service in June 1865 at Cloud’s Mills, Virginia.
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
- Overland Campaign (1864)
- Battle of the Wilderness
- Battle of Spotsylvania Court House
- Battle of Cold Harbor
- Siege of Petersburg
- Sheridan’s Shenandoah Valley Campaign
- Battle of Winchester (Third Winchester)
- Battle of Cedar Creek
Casualties
According to Fox’s Regimental Losses, the regiment lost a total of 4 officers and 127 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded, and 1 officer and 142 enlisted men died of disease, accidents, or in prison, making a total of 274 deaths during its service as cavalry.
Field Officers & Commanders
- Colonel Alfred Gibbs
- Colonel Thomas J. Thorp
- Lieutenant Colonel Rufus Scott
- Major Rufus Scott
- Major Samuel McNett
Regimental Roster
The full roster of the 19th New York Cavalry, including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster provides names, ranks, and service details for those who served in the regiment.
To view the complete roster, please visit the 19th New York Cavalry Regimental Roster page.
Sources & References
- Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes
- Dyer, Frederick H., A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion
- Fox, William F., Regimental Losses in the American Civil War
- New York State Adjutant General’s Reports
- Regimental history: History of the First New York Dragoons by James Riley Bowen