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4th New York
Cavalry
Online Books:
4th New York Cavalry Soldier
Roster - Annual Report of the Adjutant General of the State of New York For the Year
1893, Volume 1 View the Entire Book
| Regimental History |
| Fourth New York Cavalry. — Cols., Christian F. Dickel, Louis P. Di
Cesnola; Lieut. -Cols., Ferrier Nazer, Augustus Pruyn, William R. Parnell; Majs., Baron
Anton Von Pueehelstein, August Haurand, Augustus Pruyn, William R. Parnell, Edward
Schwartz. This regiment, known also as the 1st German cavalry, Dickel's Mounted Rifles and
the Lincoln Greens, was organized in New York city, and was mustered into the U. S.
service from Aug. 10 to Nov. 15, 1861, for three years. Co. K was mustered in on Nov. 15,
1862; Co. L in Dec, 1862; and Co. M Feb. 13, 1863. The regiment was recruited principally
at New York city and Brooklyn, with one company from Cleveland, Ohio, and one from
Philadelphia, Pa. A considerable number of the original members reenlisted for three years
in the winter of 1863-64, those whose terms had expired being discharged. The veterans and
recruits were organized as a battalion of four companies, F, K, L and M, and continued in
the service. March 29, 1865, the battalion, commanded by Maj. Schwartz, was transferred to
the 9th cavalry as Cos. B, E and L. The regiment, consisting of only eight companies and
numbering about 700 men, left the state on Aug. 29, 1861, and was assigned to Blenker's
division. During 1862 it was repeatedly engaged with the enemy, serving with the 5th
corps, in the Mountain Department, in the cavalry brigade of the 1st corps, Army of
Virginia, and in the cavalry brigade, 1st division, 11th corps, Army of the Potomac. It
was active at Harrisonburg, Cross Keys, Port Republic, New Market, in Pope's Virginia
campaign, fighting at the Rapidan river, Waterloo bridge, Bristoe Station, Salem and White
Plains, Groveton, Bull Run, Centerville, Ashby's gap, Berryville, Snicker's gap,
Charlestown and Kellysville. The regiment opened the battle of Cross Keys, successfully
resisting several charges by the enemy, saving Schirmer's battery from capture, and
killing the Confederate Gen. Ashby. Together with the 2nd Mich cavalry, it made the only
cavalry charge during the second battle of Bull Run, checked the enemy's advance, and
saved many from capture. Col. Dickel resigned on Sept. 10, 1862, and Col. Di Cesnola
received his commission the next day. During 1863 it served in the 1st and 2nd brigades,
2nd cavalry division, in the 1st brigade, 3d cavalry division, and in the 2nd brigade, 1st
cavalry division, Army of the Potomac. It was heavily engaged during this period at Aldie,
Upperville, Culpeper Court House and Raccoon ford, and participated in many other
important battles during the year. It joined in the pursuit of Lee's army after the battle
of Gettysburg, and shared in the subsequent campaigns in Virginia, ending with the
fruitless Mine Run campaign. In 1864 it served with the Army of the Potomac, detached from
the cavalry corps at the beginning of Grant's campaign in the spring, but rejoined the
corps towards the end of May. In Oct., 1864, it became a part of the Army of the
Shenandoah. During the year it took part in all the engagements of the Wilderness
campaign; participated in Gen. Sheridan's Trevilian raid, meeting with a loss of 48
killed, wounded and missing at Trevilian Station; was active in the operations before
Petersburg; sustained a loss of 25 in killed, wounded and missing at Front Royal; and in
Sheridan's campaign in the Shenandoah Valley in the autumn, was active at the Opequan,
Fisher's hill and many other important battles. Altogether, the regiment took part in
nearly 150 battles and skirmishes and was frequently praised by its commanding generals.
After one of the brilliant charges of the regiment at Aldie, Gen. Kilpatrick took off his
saber and presented it to the intrepid Col. Di Cesnola. In a third charge Di Cesnola's
horse was shot from under him and he was captured. For gallantry displayed in the capture
of the colors of the 3d Va., at Front Royal, Sergt. Harry J. Mandy and Pvt. Frank Leslie
were awarded medals of honor by Congress. While in service the 4th lost 5 officers and 52
enlisted men killed in action and died of wounds; 3 officers and 54 men died of disease,
accident and all other causes; a total loss by death of 8 officers and 106 men, 14 of whom
died in prison. The portion of the regiment still in service at the close of the war were
mustered out as part of the 9th cav., at Cloud's mills, Va., July 17, 1865. (See 9th N. Y.
Cav.) |
Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing
Company, 1908 - Volume 2
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