1st New York Cavalry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 1st New York Cavalry (Three Years’ Service), also known as the “Lincoln Cavalry,” was a Union regiment organized in New York City shortly after the outbreak of the Civil War. Mustered into United States service between July 16 and August 31, 1861, the regiment served primarily in the Eastern Theater. Its ranks included a significant number of German, Hungarian, and Polish immigrants, and its companies were recruited from New York City, Philadelphia, Syracuse, and Grand Rapids, Michigan. The 1st New York Cavalry was noted for its extensive service, participating in nearly 230 engagements and serving under prominent cavalry commanders such as Stoneman, Pleasonton, Sheridan, Kilpatrick, Crook, and Averell.

Organization & Service

The 1st New York Cavalry (Three Years’ Service) was initially organized in New York City, with recruitment beginning soon after the war commenced. The original commission was given to Col. Carl Schurz, but upon his appointment as minister to Spain, command passed to Col. Andrew T. McReynolds. The regiment was mustered into service from July 16 to August 31, 1861, with companies drawn from New York City (A, B, D, E, G, H, I, L, M), Philadelphia (C), Syracuse (F), and Grand Rapids, Michigan (K).

The regiment departed New York by detachments between July 21 and September 10, 1861. It was stationed near Washington, D.C., until October 4, 1861, then attached to Franklin’s and Heintzelman’s divisions until March 24, 1862. Subsequent assignments included the 1st Division, 1st Corps, Army of the Potomac (to May 1862); the 6th Corps (to July 8, 1862); the 1st Cavalry Brigade (to September 1862); the 4th Brigade, Cavalry Division (to October 1862); Averell’s Cavalry Division, 8th Corps (about one month); and various commands defending the Upper Potomac (to June 1863). The regiment then served in the Department of the Susquehanna (to August 1863), Department of West Virginia (to October 1864), Army of the Shenandoah (to March 1865), and finally with the Army of the Potomac until the end of its service.

At the expiration of the original three-year term, those eligible were mustered out, while veterans and recruits with unexpired terms continued under Col. Alonzo W. Adams. The regiment participated in the final campaign leading to the surrender of General Lee at Appomattox and was mustered out at Alexandria, Virginia, on June 27, 1865. Noteworthy actions included the recapture of prisoners and materiel at Greencastle during the Gettysburg campaign, charges at Nineveh, Cacapon Bridge, Piedmont, Lynchburg, Mt. Crawford, and Waynesboro, and distinguished conduct at Rude’s Hill.

Research This Regiment Further

If you’d like to explore this unit’s history in more depth, regimental histories and Civil War reference works offer valuable detail.

Engagements & Campaigns

  • Pohick Church, Va. (Aug. 1861)
  • Strasburg, Va.
  • Winchester
  • New Market
  • Piedmont
  • Greencastle (July 5, 1863, Gettysburg Campaign)
  • Battle of Nineveh (Nov. 1864)
  • Cacapon Bridge (Oct. 1862)
  • Lynchburg (1864)
  • Mt. Crawford
  • Waynesboro, Va.
  • Rude’s Hill
  • Final Appomattox Campaign (1865)
  • Numerous other skirmishes and actions (totaling nearly 230 engagements)

Casualties

  • Killed and died of wounds: 5 officers, 41 enlisted men
  • Died of disease, accident, in prison, etc.: 1 officer, 119 enlisted men
  • Total deaths: 166
  • Notable losses: Strasburg (17 killed, wounded, missing); Winchester (63); New Market (99); Piedmont (26)

Field Officers & Commanders

  • Colonel Andrew T. McReynolds
  • Colonel Alonzo W. Adams
  • Lieutenant Colonel Frederick Van Schickfass
  • Lieutenant Colonel Alonzo W. Adams
  • Lieutenant Colonel Jenyns C. Battersby
  • Major Charles H. Agle
  • Major Timothy Quinn
  • Major Franklin G. Martindale
  • Major William H. Boyd
  • Major Joseph K. Stearns
  • Major Franz Passager
  • Major August Haurand
  • Major Daniel H. Haskins
  • Major Ezra H. Bailey

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 1st New York Cavalry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster provides names, ranks, and additional service details where available.

To view the complete roster, visit the 1st New York Cavalry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

  • Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes 5, 12, 19, 27, 29, 33, 37, 39, 43
  • New York State Adjutant General’s Report (Annual Reports, 1861–1865)
  • Dyer, Frederick H., A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion
  • Fox, William F., Regimental Losses in the American Civil War
  • Contemporary regimental and state histories
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