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180th Pennsylvania Regiment, 19th PA Cavalry

Online Books
180th Pennsylvania Regiment, 19th PA Cavalry Soldier Roster - History of Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-5, Volume 5 by Samuel P Bates, 1869     View Entire Book

Regimental History
Nineteenth Cavalry. — Col., Alexander Cummings ; Lieut.-Cols., Joseph C. Hess, Frank Reeder; Majs.. Amos J. Holahan, Norman M. Finlay, Charles F. Huston. The 19th cavalry, the 180th regiment of the line, was recruited in Philadelphia with the exception of Cos. L and M from the counties of Huntingdon and Blair. It rendezvoused at Camp Stanton, Philadelphia, and was mustered into the U. S. service in June, July, Aug., Sept. and Oct., 1863, for three years. Most of the men and officers had seen previous service. It left for Washington early in November and on Dec. 3, reported to Gen. A. J. Smith at Columbus, Ky. Three days later it moved to Union City, Tenn., where it was assigned to the 1st brigade, (Col Waring) of Gen. Grierson's cavalry division. Lieut.-Col. Hess commanded the regiment, Col. Cummings being on detached service. Early in Feb., 1864, it moved with its division to Collierville, Tenn., whence it participated in a raid into Mississippi, proceeding as far as West Point, and assisted in destroying the railroad and immense stores of grain and cotton. On the 22nd it took part in a sharp engagement with the enemy at Okalona, Miss., and then returned without further interruption to Memphis. Its loss during the expedition was 15 killed, wounded and missing. On April 6, it was engaged for several hours with the troops under Forrest at Cypress swamp, Tenn., suffering some loss. Capt. Wenrick of Co. E was captured here and died in captivity. The regiment returned to Memphis on April 10 and the next few weeks were employed in scout and picket duty, details of the regiment being frequently sent out to harass the forces under Forrest. At the battle of Brice's cross-roads the 19th acted with the infantry, its losses being 15 in killed, wounded and missing. During July a detachment of 150 men was engaged with the forces under Gen. Slocum at the Big Black river, Port Gibson and Grand Gulf, Miss. In August it was engaged with Gen. A. J. Smith's forces against Forrest, at Coldwater, Oxford and Hurricane creek, Miss. In September, during Gen. Price's invasion of Missouri, it was active at Marion, Greensboro, Pilot knob, and the Big Blue river, returning to Memphis on Oct. 20. In November it skirmished on the flank of Hood's army, marching towards Nashville, Co. F being desperately engaged at Nonconnah creek. Early in December it proceeded to Nashville and was assigned to Hammond's (1st) brigade, Knipe's (7th) division cavalry corps, under Gen. Wilson. It participated in the battle of Nashville and the pursuit of Hood's army, suffering some losses. During Hood's retreat, it was warmly engaged at Hollow Tree gap, where it delivered an impetuous charge and drove the enemy for 2 miles. At Franklin, the same day, the 19th again charged and in the day's fighting captured 3 stands of colors and 350 prisoners. It lost in killed, wounded and missing about 25, among the wounded being Maj. Holahan, Capts. Reeder and N. M. Smith, and Acting-Adjt. Blackstone. Continuing the pursuit, it was again hotly engaged at Anthony's hill and Sugar creek, losing 12 killed and wounded. The command was now much reduced in numbers and was consolidated early in Feb., 1865, into a battalion of six companies, the supernumerary officers being mustered out. On Feb. 8 the battalion started for New Orleans, arriving there March 9. On the 20th it moved to Baton Rouge and was engaged in picket and scouting duty until the middle of August. Meanwhile the battalion had been further reduced on June 13 to four companies. It served by detachments in Louisiana and Texas until April of the following year, when the four companies were reunited at New Orleans, performed provost duty there for a few weeks, and was finally mustered out on May 14, 1866.

Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing Company, 1908 - Volume 1

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