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6th New York
Cavalry
Online Books:
6th 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 |
| Sixth New York Cavalry. — Cols., Thomas C. Devin, Charles L. Fitzhugh; Lieut.
-Cols., Duncan McVicar, William H. Crocker, William P. Hall, Harrison White; Majs., James
P. Dailey, William H. Crocker, George M. Van Buren, John Carwardine, William E. Beardsley,
Harrison White, George W. Goler, Floyd Clarkson, William P. Hall, George E. Farmer. This
regiment was organized at New York city in the fall of 1861 as the 2nd Ira Harris Guard.
The companies of which it was composed were recruited from the counties of New York,
Dutchess, Columbia, Rensselaer, Washington, Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Allegany, Broome,
Monroe and Steuben, and were mustered into the U. S. service from Sept. 12 to Dec. 19,
1861, for three years. At the expiration of its term of service those entitled thereto
were mustered out and the regiment, composed of veterans and recruits, remained in
service. On June 17, 1865, commanded by Col. Fitzhugh, it was consolidated into eight
companies, which with the 15th N. Y. cavalry, united to form the 2nd Provisional regiment,
N. Y. cavalry, being designated Cos. A, B, C, D, E, I, L and M of the new organization.
The regiment left the state on Dec. 23, 1861, commanded by Col. Devin, proceeding first to
York, Pa., where it passed the winter in barracks, dismounted. In the spring of 1862 it
was mounted and the 3d battalion, composed of Cos. D, K, F and H, took part in the
Peninsular campaign with the 2nd and 4th corps, rejoining the regiment in the summer of
1863. The 1st and 2nd battalions were employed during 1862 in guard and scouting duty,
attached first to Gen. Wadsworth's command, and afterward serving with the 9th corps, and
Pleasonton's cavalry division, in the 2nd brigade. The regiment took an active part in the
Maryland campaign, being the first regiment to enter Frederick City. It was active at
South mountain and Antietam, the latter battle being opened by a squadron of the 6th. For
a brilliant affair near Lovettsville, Va., in Oct., 1862, it received the thanks of Gen.
Burnside in a special order. In Feb., 1863, it was attached to the 2nd brigade, 1st
cavalry division, Army of the Potomac, a detachment serving with the 22nd corps in July
and August, and in Oct., 1864, the regiment was ordered to the Army of the Shenandoah. At
Spottsylvania Court House, the day before the opening of the battle of Chancellorsville,
the regiment made a brilliant charge upon Fitz Hugh Lee's brigade, and sustained a loss of
51 in killed, wounded and missing, among the killed being its gallant commander, Lieut.
-Col. McVicar. It was highly commended by Gen. Pleasonton, who said: "The heroism of
the 6th N. Y. cavalry in cutting its way to our line through treble the force of the
enemy's cavalry, created the greatest admiration." The regiment was active at
Chancellorsville, losing 21 killed, wounded and missing, and saw much hard fighting from
this time on. It took part in the Gettysburg campaign and in the subsequent operations in
Virginia ending with the Mine Run campaign, though its losses were small for the amount of
active duty performed, as Col. Devin knew how to take his men into action and also how to
bring them out. Early in 1864, it shared in Kilpatrick's raid to Richmond; was active at
the Wilderness; in Gen. Sheridan's raid to the James river; at Cold Harbor; Sheridan's
Trevilian raid, where its losses aggregated 63 in killed, wounded and missing; at Deep
Bottom, Berryville, Cedar creek, the Opequan, Fisher's hill, the second Cedar creek,
Newtown, and numerous lesser engagements. In 1865, with the Army of the Potomac, it joined
in the final campaign, being actively engaged at Dinwiddle Court House, Five Forks, the
fall of Petersburg, Deep creek, Amelia Court House, Sailor's creek and Appomattox. At Five
Forks, where the 6th was among the first to enter the enemy's works, it was presented with
a flag by Gen. Sheridan, emblazoned with the words "Five Forks." Both Cols.
Devin and Fitzhugh were brevetted major-generals for gallant and meritorious conduct. The
total loss of the 6th was 9 officers and 72 men, killed in action and died of wounds, 133
men died of disease, accident and all other causes, of whom 36 died as prisoners. There
were 24 officers and 186 men wounded, including the mortally wounded; 12 officers and 197
men were reported missing; aggregate of casualties, 472. Medals of honor for gallant
conduct in the capture of the colors were awarded to Thomas Kelly, private; Patrick H.
McEnroe, sergeant; George E. Meach, farrier, and Thomas M. Wells, chief bugler. The
regiment participated in over 150 battles and skirmishes and gained a splendid reputation
for efficiency and discipline. |
Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing
Company, 1908 - Volume 2
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