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24th New York Cavalry

Online Books:
24th New York Cavalry Soldier Roster - Annual Report of the Adjutant General of the State of New York For the Year 1893, Volume 5     View the Entire Book

Regimental History
Twenty-fourth New York Cavalry. — Cols., William C. Raulston, Walter C. Newberry; Lieut. -Cols., Walter C. Newberry, Melzer Richards, Charles B. Coventry; Majs., Walter C. Newberry, George G. Wanzer, Mark L. Scoville, Melzer Richards, Albert Taylor, Charles E. Martin. In the fall of 1863, Col. Raulston, formerly lieutenant- colonel of the 81st N. Y. infantry, was authorized to reorganize the 24th N. Y. infantry, which had been discharged by reason of the expiration of its term, as the 24th cavalry. It was accordingly organized at Auburn and was mustered into the U. S. service between Dec. 28, 1863, and Jan. 26, 1864, for three years. The companies of which it was composed were raised in the counties of Oswego, Erie, Monroe, Chemung, Oneida, Otsego, Ontario, Onondaga, Livingston and Albany. The regiment left the state on Feb. 23, 1864, and after a few months at Washington, dismounted, moved on the Wilderness campaign, with Marshall's provisional brigade, 9th corps, and later as part of the 2nd brigade, 3d division, same corps. It fought at the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, the North Anna, Totopotomy, Cold Harbor and Bethesda Church. Its losses at Cold Harbor aggregated 84 killed, wounded and missing. It arrived before Petersburg on June 16, and in the assault of that day met with one of the severest losses sustained by any regiment engaged, having 38 killed, 156 wounded and 3 missing, a total of 197. At the mine explosion, it lost 9 killed and wounded and was again active at the Weldon railroad in August, losing 13. It suffered a loss of 60 in the engagement at Poplar Spring Church, and was active at Peebles' farm in October. It was then mounted and assigned to the 1st brigade, 2nd cavalry division, Army of the Potomac, which under Gen. Crook, participated in the actions at Hatcher's run, Prince George Court House, Stony Creek Station, Three creeks, Halifax road, Lee's mill and the final Appomattox campaign in which the regiment lost 73 killed, wounded and missing. Col. Raulston was captured by the enemy on Sept. 29, 1864, and in attempting to escape, was shot on Dec. 10, by one of the sentinels at Danville, dying from the effects on the 15th. Commanded by Col. Newberry, the regiment was consolidated with the 10th N. Y. cavalry on July 10, 1865, the consolidated force being known as the "1st provisional regiment N. Y. volunteer cavalry." The regiment saw less than a year of active service, but endured much hard service and suffered severely. It lost 7 officers and 113 men killed and mortally wounded; 1 officer and 133 men died of disease, accidents, in prison, etc., a total of 254. Private George Schmal was awarded a medal of honor for the capture of a flag at Paine's cross-roads in April.

Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing Company, 1908 - Volume 2

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