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5th New York
Cavalry
Online Books:
5th New York Cavalry Soldier
Roster - Annual Report of the Adjutant General of the State of New York For the Year
1893, Volume 2 View the Entire Book
| Regimental History |
| Fifth New York Cavalry. — Cols., Othneil De Forest, John Hammond, Amos H.
White; Lieut. -Cols., Robert Johnstone, John Hammond, William P. Bacon, Amos H. White,
Theodore A. Boice; Majs., Philip G. Vaught, Washington Wheeler, John Hammond, Abram H.
Krom, Elmer J. Barker, James Davidson, William P. Pratt, Amos H. White, Theodore A. Boice,
George H. Gardner, William P. Bacon, James A. Penfield, Tiberly C. Abbott, Henry A. D.
Merritt. Authority to recruit this regiment was received by Col. De Forest from the war
department on July 26, 1861. The regiment, originally known as the "Ira Harris
cavalry," rendezvoused at Camp Scott, Staten island, where it was mustered into the
U. S. service from Aug. 15 to Oct 31, 1861. The companies of which it was composed were
principally recruited in the counties of New York, Kings, Allegany, Cattaraugus, Wyoming,
Tioga, Essex and Greene. A part of Co. D came from Springfield, Mass., and part of Co. I
from Princeton, Passaic and Plainfield, N. J. The original members were mustered out by
detachments in 1864 and the regiment, composed of veterans and recruits, continued in
service until July 19, 1865, when it was mustered out and honorably discharged at
Winchester, Va. The regiment left the state, nearly 1,200 strong, Nov. 18, 1861, and was
stationed at Annapolis until the spring of 1862. That year it served in the 5th corps,
Department of the Shenandoah; in the 2nd corps, Army of Virginia; and in Stahel's division
in the defenses of Washington. It started on its first campaign down the Shenandoah Valley
in April, 1862, and at Front Royal, Strasburg and Middletown, sustained a loss of 75
killed, wounded and missing. As Gen. Banks fell back before Gen. Jackson, the regiment was
cut off at Strasburg, but saved Banks' wagon train and Hampton's battery, and escorted
them in safety by a circuitous route through the mountains into Maryland. It lost 24 men
at Barnett's ford, and 23 in an action near Orange Court House. In the latter engagement
it distinguished itself by driving the 7th Va. cavalry and capturing 47 prisoners,
including the commanding officer, Maj. Marshall. It took an active part in Gen. Pope's
campaign, being selected as body-guard to that general. In 1863 the regiment served in the
3d brigade, 3d division, 22nd corps at Washington; in the 1st and 2nd brigades, 3d cavalry
division, Army of the Potomac; and was repeatedly in action during the year, its heaviest
losses being sustained at Little River turnpike, loss 42; at Hanover, Pa., loss 54; at
Hagerstown, loss 91; at Brandy Station, loss 25; and in a second action there, loss 28; at
Buckland mills, loss 22. It then served with the cavalry corps, Army of the Potomac, until
Oct., 1864; in the Army of the Shenandoah until the opening of the final campaign in 1865;
and in the Department of West Virginia from March, 1865. It participated in Kilpatrick's
raid to Richmond in the spring of 1864, sustaining considerable loss, Maj. Merritt, being
among the captured. It was heavily engaged at the battle of the Wilderness, where it
opened the fight at Parker's store, and met with a loss of 63 killed, wounded and missing.
Its losses at Spottsylvania Court House were 16; at North Anna 25; at Cold Harbor 43; in
the raid to the South Side and Danville railroads in June 98; at Smithfield 19; and at the
Opequan 17. The regiment returned home under command of Col. White, with only about 550
men out of a total enrollment of nearly 2,500. It had participated in nearly 175 battles
and skirmishes and established a well-earned reputation for gallantry and high soldierly
conduct. Its total losses by death were 5 officers and 62 men killed in action; 2 officers
and 24 men died of wounds received in action; 4 officers and 222 men died of disease,
accident and other causes; a total of 11 officers and 308 men, of whom 99 died in
Confederate prisons, a larger loss from this source than was sustained by any other
cavalry regiment from the state. Medals of honor were conferred upon three of the regiment
by the secretary of war for distinguished gallantry in action, viz.: Sergt. Thomas Burke,
for capture of a battleflag at Hanover, Pa.; Sergt. David S. Scofield, for the capture of
a flag at Cedar creek, Va. ; and on Corp. John Walsh, for the capture of a flag at the
same engagement. |
Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing
Company, 1908 - Volume 2
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