2nd New York Veteran Cavalry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 2nd New York Veteran Cavalry (Empire Light Cavalry) was a Union regiment organized during the Civil War, primarily composed of veterans from the 30th New York Infantry. The unit was formed at Saratoga Springs, New York, with companies recruited from Saratoga, Schenectady, Montgomery, Clinton, Essex, Warren, Albany, Rensselaer, and Columbia counties. The regiment served in the cavalry branch and was mustered into U.S. service between August 15 and December 30, 1863, for a three-year term. Its service was chiefly in the Department of the Gulf, operating in the Southern theater.

The 2nd New York Veteran Cavalry was notable for its participation in numerous engagements throughout the South, including the Red River campaign and several raids and skirmishes in Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, and Alabama. The regiment experienced significant losses, particularly from disease, due to its extended service in southern climates.

Organization & Service

Authorization to organize the 2nd New York Veteran Cavalry was granted to Col. Morgan H. Chrysler on June 23, 1863, following the expiration of service of the 30th New York Infantry. The new cavalry regiment was organized at Saratoga Springs, with mustering taking place from August 15 to December 30, 1863. Companies were recruited from multiple upstate New York counties, and the regiment left the state by detachments during this period.

After initial duty in Washington, D.C., during the winter of 1863–1864, the regiment was sent to New Orleans and assigned to the Department of the Gulf. It became part of Arnold’s cavalry division, 19th Army Corps, and was attached to the 5th Cavalry Brigade. The regiment participated in the Red River campaign, engaging in 18 actions and suffering notable casualties. Upon returning from the campaign, it was reassigned to the 4th Cavalry Brigade and engaged in raids and scouting expeditions through the summer of 1864.

In the fall of 1864, the regiment joined the 1st Cavalry Brigade and was active at St. Francisville, Bayou Sara, and Fausse River, Louisiana. In November, it was attached to the separate brigade, cavalry reserve, and took part in skirmishes at Clinton, Liberty Creek, and Pascagoula, Mississippi, as well as at State Line and McLeod’s Mills, Louisiana. The regiment lost 11 killed and wounded at McLeod’s Mills. In December 1864, it suffered additional losses when the steamer North America foundered off the coast of Florida.

The regiment’s final active service occurred in March and April 1865 with the 1st Brigade, Cavalry Division, in operations at College Hill, Pine Barren Creek, Cotton Creek, and Bluff Springs, Florida, as well as at Pollard, Fort Blakely, Mt. Pleasant, and Whistler’s Station, Alabama. The 2nd New York Veteran Cavalry was mustered out and discharged under Col. Chrysler at Talladega, Alabama, on November 8, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Red River Campaign (Louisiana, 1864)
• Raids and scouting expeditions in Louisiana (June–August 1864)
• St. Francisville, Bayou Sara, and Fausse River, Louisiana (Fall 1864)
• Clinton, Liberty Creek, Pascagoula, Mississippi (November 1864)
• State Line and McLeod’s Mills, Louisiana (November 1864)
• College Hill, Pine Barren Creek, Cotton Creek, Bluff Springs, Florida (March–April 1865)
• Pollard, Fort Blakely, Mt. Pleasant, Whistler’s Station, Alabama (March–April 1865)

Casualties

• Killed or mortally wounded: 5 officers, 30 enlisted men
• Died of disease and other causes: 3 officers, 215 enlisted men
• Additional losses: Several men lost in the foundering of the steamer North America (December 1864)

The high mortality from disease is attributed to the regiment’s prolonged service in the southern states.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Morgan H. Chrysler
• Lieutenant Colonel Asa L. Gurney
• Major Duncan Cameron
• Major Edward Van Voast
• Major John S. Fassett

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 2nd New York Veteran Cavalry, including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster provides names, ranks, and additional service details for members of the regiment.

To view the complete roster, visit the 2nd New York Veteran Cavalry Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Vol. XXXIV, XXXIX, XLI, XLVIII
• 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 reports and regimental returns