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117th
Pennsylvania Regiment, 13th PA Cavalry
Online Books
117th
Pennsylvania Regiment, 13th PA Cavalry Soldier Roster - History of Pennsylvania
Volunteers, 1861-5, Volume 3 by Samuel P Bates, 1869
View Entire Book
| Regimental History |
| Thirteenth Cavalry. — Cols., James A. Galligher,
Michael Kerwin; Lieut. -Cols., James A. Galligher, Peter C. Shannon,
Garrick Mallery, Jr., Jacob H. Dewees; Majs., Henry A. White, M. J.
Byrne, Michael Kerwin, Jacob H. Dewees, George F. McCabe, Timothy A.
Byrne, Henry H. Gregg, John W. Berks. The 13th cavalry, the 117th
regiment of the line, was recruited in Philadelphia and Pittsburg to
form a squadron of Irish dragoons to be attached to the Irish brigade,
and was mustered into the U. S. service at Philadelphia in the fall of
1861 for three years' service. It was ordered to Baltimore and while
there was organized into a regiment by the addition of six companies in
July and Aug., 1862. On Sept. 24 it left Baltimore, three companies were
posted along the Potomac between Berlin and Edwards' ferry on guard
duty, and the remaining companies occupied in Loudoun and Jefferson
counties to prevent communication between the inhabitants and the enemy.
In Feb., 1863, the 13th was sent to Winchester, where the tenth company
joined it in March. Here it undertook many excursions into the
surrounding country, often encountering the enemy's cavalry, and losing
a considerable number. At Middletown, on June 11, it had a sharp
engagement and for several days following was active at Winchester,
returning to Harper's Ferry with only half of its members fit for active
service. Leaving Harper's Ferry on June 30, it joined the Army of the
Potomac at Boonesboro on July 8 and was assigned to the 2nd brigade,
(Col. J. I. Gregg) of Gen. D. McM. Gregg's division, with which it
encamped at Amissville and Jefferson and was engaged at Culpeper in
September. After a month at Catlett's station, it returned to Culpeper,
where it received a new company from Huntingdon county. It then moved to
Jeffersonton, where it was attacked in October and forced to retire. Two
more companies from Huntingdon county joined the regiment in November,
as it returned from Mine Run, and the command was assigned to duty along
the Orange & Alexandria railroad near Bristoe Station during the winter
of 1863-64. The regiment was reorganized on Feb. 8, 1864, twelve
companies being formed from the original fifteen. In the Wilderness
campaign it was on duty with the 9th corps at the rear until May 5, when
it went into action and was with the advance of the army for a number of
days. It rejoined the brigade at White's tavern on May 26 and shared in
the expedition of Gen. Sheridan toward Richmond, being engaged at Haw's
shop. The next action of importance was at Trevilian Station in June,
followed by fighting at Jones' bridge, and Samaria Church. In July it
went to the support of Wilson's cavalry as it returned from the Danville
railroad, after which it shared in the raid on the Jerusalem plank road
and a movement to Lee's mill. A detail of 50 men, engaged in guarding
supplies of the commissary department, was captured by a large force of
Confederates. In September the regiment was closely engaged at Wyatt's
farm; fought in the several engagements at Hatcher's run and Dabney's
mill, where Gen. Gregg was wounded; was ordered to Wilmington, N. C, in
Feb., 1865 ; thence to Elizabethtown, where it reported to Gen. Sherman
and became a part of the 3d brigade, Kilpatrick's division, Col. Kerwin,
being placed in command. After the surrender the 13th was posted at
Fayetteville to clear the country and preserve peace. On July 14 it
moved to Raleigh and was mustered out on the same day. |
Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing
Company, 1908 - Volume 1
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