Overview
The 1st New York Mounted Rifles (Three Years’ Service) was a cavalry regiment organized at large in New York State and mustered into United States service during the Civil War. The regiment was formed in several locations, with companies mustered in between July 1861 and September 1862. Serving with the Union Army, the regiment operated primarily in the Department of Virginia and North Carolina, participating in numerous engagements and providing valuable mounted service throughout the war.
The regiment was notable for its extended service in southeastern Virginia, including at Fortress Monroe, Norfolk, Suffolk, Portsmouth, Williamsburg, and Yorktown. It was involved in over fifty battles and skirmishes, with its heaviest losses occurring at Scott’s Mills, Virginia, in May 1863. The 1st New York Mounted Rifles was later consolidated with the 3rd New York Cavalry and ultimately became part of the 4th Provisional Cavalry.
Organization & Service
The 1st New York Mounted Rifles (Three Years’ Service) was organized at New York City and mustered into federal service as follows: Companies A and B at Fort Monroe, Virginia, on July 30, 1861; Companies C and D at Newburgh, New York, on September 18 and October 16, 1861; Companies E, F, G, and H at New York City in June, July, and August 1862; and Companies I, K, L, and M in August and September 1862. The first two companies left New York State in July 1861, C and D in December 1861, E, F, G, and H in August 1862, and I, K, L, and M in September 1862.
The regiment initially served with the 7th and 4th Army Corps, primarily stationed at Fortress Monroe and other key points in southeastern Virginia. It participated in numerous skirmishes and minor actions, with its most significant casualties occurring at Scott’s Mills in May 1863. In January 1864, the regiment was ordered to join Wistar’s Division, 18th Corps, and was engaged at New Kent Court House and Bottom’s Bridge. Subsequently, it served mainly with the cavalry division of the Army of the James, with detachments acting as headquarters escort and Companies H and D assigned to the 10th Corps from June to August 1864.
On July 17, 1864, the regiment received 270 men transferred from the 16th New York Artillery. The original members, except veterans, were mustered out at the expiration of their service term. In July 1865, the regiment was consolidated into a battalion of seven companies under Colonel Edwin V. Sumner. To complete its reorganization, it was further consolidated with the 3rd New York Cavalry, forming part of the 4th Provisional Cavalry. The regiment’s final actions included participation in the assault on Petersburg on April 2, 1865, and subsequent operations in North Carolina.
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
- Operations at Fortress Monroe, Norfolk, Suffolk, Portsmouth, Williamsburg, and Yorktown, Virginia (1861–1864)
- Scott’s Mills, Virginia (May 1863)
- New Kent Court House and Bottom’s Bridge (January 1864)
- Operations against Petersburg and Richmond (May 1864–April 1865)
- Final assault on Petersburg (April 2, 1865)
- Murfree’s Depot, Somerton, and Jackson, North Carolina (Spring 1865)
Casualties
- Killed or mortally wounded: 2 officers, 30 enlisted men
- Died of disease and other causes: 3 officers, 125 enlisted men
- Total deaths: 165
Casualty figures are based on Dyer’s Compendium and New York State Adjutant General reports.
Field Officers & Commanders
- Colonel Charles C. Dodge
- Colonel Benjamin F. Onderdonk
- Colonel Edwin V. Sumner
- Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin F. Onderdonk
- Lieutenant Colonel Alexander G. Patton
- Lieutenant Colonel James N. Wheelan
- Major William H. Schieffelon
- Major Henry Terwilliger
- Major James N. Wheelan
- Major Minott A. Pruyn
- Major Charles C. Dodge
- Major Alexander G. Patton
- Major Edgar A. Hamilton
Regimental Roster
The full roster of the 1st New York Mounted Rifles (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster provides details on enlistment, rank, and service records.
To view the complete roster, visit the 1st New York Mounted Rifles (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.
Sources & References
- Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes (see Army of the James, Department of Virginia and North Carolina correspondence and reports)
- 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 as cited in New York State records