Overview
The 6th New York Cavalry (Three Years’ Service), also known as the 2nd Ira Harris Guard, was a Union cavalry regiment organized in New York City in the fall of 1861. Its companies were recruited from several counties across New York State, including New York, Dutchess, Columbia, Rensselaer, Washington, Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Allegany, Broome, Monroe, and Steuben. The regiment was mustered into United States service between September 12 and December 19, 1861, for a three-year term. The 6th New York Cavalry served primarily in the Eastern Theater and was noted for its discipline, efficiency, and participation in numerous major campaigns and battles.
This unit is distinct from any other New York cavalry regiments with different service terms.
Organization & Service
The 6th New York Cavalry was organized at New York City as the 2nd Ira Harris Guard and mustered into service from September to December 1861. The regiment left New York State on December 23, 1861, under the command of Colonel Thomas C. Devin, and moved to York, Pennsylvania, where it spent the winter in barracks, dismounted. In the spring of 1862, the regiment was mounted. The 3rd Battalion (Companies D, K, F, and H) participated in the Peninsular Campaign with the 2nd and 4th Corps, rejoining the main regiment in the summer of 1863. The 1st and 2nd Battalions were engaged in guard and scouting duties during 1862, initially attached to General Wadsworth’s command and later serving with the 9th Corps and Pleasonton’s Cavalry Division, 2nd Brigade.
The regiment was active in the Maryland Campaign, being the first Union regiment to enter Frederick City, and participated at South Mountain and Antietam, where a squadron of the 6th opened the battle. In October 1862, the regiment received special commendation from General Burnside for its actions near Lovettsville, Virginia. In February 1863, it was attached to the 2nd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Army of the Potomac. A detachment served with the 22nd Corps in July and August 1863. In October 1864, the regiment was ordered to the Army of the Shenandoah.
Throughout its service, the 6th New York Cavalry participated in numerous campaigns and battles, including a notable charge at Spottsylvania Court House in May 1863, where it suffered significant losses and its commander, Lieutenant Colonel Duncan McVicar, was killed. The regiment continued to serve actively in the Gettysburg Campaign, the Mine Run Campaign, Kilpatrick’s Raid, the Wilderness, Sheridan’s Raids, and the final Appomattox Campaign. On June 17, 1865, under Colonel Charles L. Fitzhugh, the regiment was consolidated into eight companies and merged with the 15th New York Cavalry to form the 2nd Provisional Regiment, New York Cavalry.
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
- Peninsular Campaign (1862)
- Maryland Campaign (Frederick City, South Mountain, Antietam)
- Operations near Lovettsville, Virginia (October 1862)
- Chancellorsville Campaign (Spottsylvania Court House, Chancellorsville)
- Gettysburg Campaign
- Mine Run Campaign
- Kilpatrick’s Raid to Richmond (early 1864)
- Wilderness Campaign
- Sheridan’s Raids (James River, Trevilian Station, Deep Bottom)
- Berryville, Cedar Creek, Opequan, Fisher’s Hill, Newtown
- Final Appomattox Campaign (Dinwiddie Court House, Five Forks, Petersburg, Deep Creek, Amelia Court House, Sailor’s Creek, Appomattox)
Casualties
- Killed in action or died of wounds: 9 officers, 72 enlisted men
- Died of disease, accident, and other causes: 133 enlisted men (including 36 who died as prisoners)
- Wounded (including mortally wounded): 24 officers, 186 enlisted men
- Missing: 12 officers, 197 enlisted men
- Total aggregate casualties: 472
Some details are incomplete in surviving primary sources regarding minor skirmishes and non-fatal casualties.
Field Officers & Commanders
- Colonel Thomas C. Devin
- Colonel Charles L. Fitzhugh
- Lieutenant Colonel Duncan McVicar
- Lieutenant Colonel William H. Crocker
- Lieutenant Colonel William P. Hall
- Lieutenant Colonel Harrison White
- Major James P. Dailey
- Major William H. Crocker
- Major George M. Van Buren
- Major John Carwardine
- Major William E. Beardsley
- Major Harrison White
- Major George W. Goler
- Major Floyd Clarkson
- Major William P. Hall
- Major George E. Farmer
Regimental Roster
The full roster of the 6th New York Cavalry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster provides names, ranks, and service details for those who served in the regiment.
To view the complete roster, visit the 6th New York Cavalry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.
Sources & References
- Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes 12, 19, 27, 29, 36, 39, 40, 46 (various parts)
- 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
- Contemporary regimental and state histories