5th New York Cavalry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 5th New York Cavalry (also known as the “Ira Harris Cavalry”) was a Union regiment organized in New York State for service during the American Civil War. The regiment was mustered into United States service at Camp Scott, Staten Island, between August 15 and October 31, 1861. Its companies were principally recruited from New York, Kings, Allegany, Cattaraugus, Wyoming, Tioga, Essex, and Greene counties, with additional men from Massachusetts and New Jersey. The 5th New York Cavalry served primarily in the Eastern Theater and was noted for its extensive combat record and high losses, particularly among those captured and held in Confederate prisons.

The regiment left New York nearly 1,200 strong in November 1861 and participated in nearly 175 engagements over the course of the war. It was mustered out at Winchester, Virginia, on July 19, 1865, having established a reputation for gallantry and discipline. Three members received the Medal of Honor for their actions during the conflict.

Organization & Service

Authority to recruit the 5th New York Cavalry was granted to Colonel Othneil De Forest on July 26, 1861. The regiment assembled at Camp Scott, Staten Island, and was mustered into federal service between August 15 and October 31, 1861. The unit was initially stationed at Annapolis, Maryland, until the spring of 1862.

In 1862, the regiment served with the 5th Corps, Department of the Shenandoah, then with the 2nd Corps, Army of Virginia, and later in Stahel’s Division in the defenses of Washington, D.C. The regiment’s first campaign began in April 1862, moving down the Shenandoah Valley and engaging at Front Royal, Strasburg, and Middletown, where it suffered significant losses. During General Banks’s retreat before General Jackson, the 5th New York Cavalry was cut off at Strasburg but successfully escorted a wagon train and battery to safety in Maryland.

The regiment saw further action at Barnett’s Ford and near Orange Court House, where it captured prisoners and distinguished itself in combat. During General Pope’s campaign, the regiment served as bodyguard to the general. In 1863, it was attached to the 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, 22nd Corps at Washington, and later to the 1st and 2nd Brigades, 3rd Cavalry Division, Army of the Potomac, participating in numerous actions throughout the year.

From late 1863 through October 1864, the 5th New York Cavalry served with the Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac, then with the Army of the Shenandoah until early 1865, and finally in the Department of West Virginia from March 1865. The regiment took part in Kilpatrick’s Raid to Richmond in spring 1864, the Wilderness Campaign, and numerous other operations, suffering heavy casualties. The original members were mustered out by detachments in 1864, while veterans and recruits continued service until final muster out at Winchester, Virginia, on July 19, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Shenandoah Valley Campaign (1862): Front Royal, Strasburg, Middletown
• Barnett’s Ford
• Orange Court House
• Pope’s Campaign (1862)
• Little River Turnpike
• Hanover, Pennsylvania
• Hagerstown
• Brandy Station (multiple actions)
• Buckland Mills
• Kilpatrick’s Raid to Richmond (Spring 1864)
• Wilderness Campaign: Parker’s Store, Wilderness, Spotsylvania Court House, North Anna, Cold Harbor
• Raid to South Side and Danville Railroads (June 1864)
• Smithfield
• Opequon
• Cedar Creek
• Numerous skirmishes and minor engagements (totaling nearly 175 actions)

Casualties

• Killed in action: 5 officers, 62 enlisted men
• Died of wounds: 2 officers, 24 enlisted men
• Died of disease, accident, or other causes: 4 officers, 222 enlisted men
• Total deaths: 11 officers, 308 enlisted men
• Died in Confederate prisons: 99 (largest such loss among New York cavalry regiments)

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Othneil De Forest
• Colonel John Hammond
• Colonel Amos H. White
• Lieutenant Colonel Robert Johnstone
• Lieutenant Colonel John Hammond
• Lieutenant Colonel William P. Bacon
• Lieutenant Colonel Amos H. White
• Lieutenant Colonel Theodore A. Boice
• Major Philip G. Vaught
• Major Washington Wheeler
• Major John Hammond
• Major Abram H. Krom
• Major Elmer J. Barker
• Major James Davidson
• Major William P. Pratt
• Major Amos H. White
• Major Theodore A. Boice
• Major George H. Gardner
• Major William P. Bacon
• Major James A. Penfield
• Major Tiberly C. Abbott
• Major Henry A. D. Merritt

Regimental Roster

The complete roster of the 5th New York Cavalry, including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster provides details on enlistment, rank, and service record for each member of the regiment.

To view the full roster, visit the 5th New York Cavalry Regimental Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes and parts (Army of the Potomac, Army of Virginia, Department of the Shenandoah, Department of West Virginia)
• New York State Adjutant General’s Report (Annual Reports for 1861–1865)
• Dyer, Frederick H., A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion
• Fox, William F., Regimental Losses in the American Civil War
• Regimental and state histories published in the 19th century