Overview
The 4th Pennsylvania Cavalry (also known as the 64th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers) served as a Union cavalry regiment during the American Civil War. Organized in Pennsylvania in September and October 1861, the regiment mustered into United States service for a three-year term. The unit was composed of companies recruited from various counties, including Northampton, Allegheny, Westmoreland, Indiana, Venango, Lebanon, and Luzerne. The 4th Pennsylvania Cavalry participated in major campaigns and engagements in the Eastern Theater, serving with distinction in the Army of the Potomac and later in operations in Virginia and North Carolina.
Organization & Service
The 4th Pennsylvania Cavalry was organized at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in September and October 1861. The regiment soon moved to Washington, D.C., where it completed its organization and mustered into federal service for three years. The companies were raised from several counties: Company A from Northampton; B, E, and G from Allegheny; C and D from Westmoreland and Indiana; H, I, K, and L from Venango; F from Lebanon; and M from Luzerne. Colonel David Campbell, an experienced militia officer and former commander of the 12th Pennsylvania Infantry, was the regiment’s first commanding officer.
After a winter spent drilling and training near Washington, Colonel Campbell resigned in March 1862, succeeded by Lieutenant Colonel James H. Childs. In May 1862, the regiment joined McDowell’s column on the Rappahannock and was assigned to McCall’s Division, Pennsylvania Reserves. The regiment moved by transport to support McClellan on the Peninsula, arriving at White House Landing in June. One battalion under Lieutenant Colonel Kerr was detached to Yorktown for the duration of the Peninsular Campaign, while the remainder participated in the Seven Days’ Battles. The regiment suffered losses during the night attack at Harrison’s Landing on July 31, 1862.
After reuniting at Yorktown, the regiment returned to Washington, arriving too late for the Second Battle of Bull Run. It was present at Antietam, where Colonel Childs, then commanding a brigade, was killed. Lieutenant Colonel Kerr assumed command. In the fall, a battalion under Captain Duncan conducted a successful raid at Hedgesville, capturing enemy officers and men. The regiment participated in the pursuit of Stuart’s cavalry, skirmished during the army’s movement from Harper’s Ferry to Warrenton, and served as rear guard during Burnside’s advance to Falmouth. At Fredericksburg, it guarded the fords above the town.
In early 1863, the regiment took part in the “Mud March” and wintered at Potomac Creek Station. Two squadrons fought at Kelly’s Ford, and the regiment saw action at Rapidan Station and Ely’s Ford. It was in reserve at Chancellorsville and lightly engaged at Brandy Station. During the Gettysburg Campaign, the 4th Pennsylvania Cavalry fought at Middleburg and Upperville, arriving at Gettysburg on July 2, 1863. It participated in the pursuit of Lee’s army and was engaged at Shepherdstown and Jeffersonton, suffering heavy losses at the latter. Many captured at Jeffersonton later died at Andersonville Prison.
The regiment was engaged at Bristoe Station and Beverly Ford in the fall of 1863. It spent the winter along the Orange & Alexandria Railroad, with many men reenlisting as veterans. The regiment entered the Overland Campaign in May 1864, participating in Sheridan’s raid on Richmond, fighting at Yellow Tavern, and supporting King’s Battery near Richmond. Reinforced by returning veterans and recruits, it became the largest regiment in its corps. The 4th was active at Haw’s Shop, Cold Harbor, Trevilian Station, and St. Mary’s Church, where Colonel Covode was mortally wounded. The regiment continued to serve in operations south of the James River, including actions at Second Swamp, Jerusalem Plank Road, Boydton Plank Road, and Hatcher’s Run.
In early 1865, the regiment participated in the final campaigns of the war, including engagements at Hatcher’s Run, Dinwiddie Court House, and Farmville. After Lee’s surrender, the regiment was stationed at Lynchburg, Virginia, where Lieutenant Colonel Duncan served as provost-marshal. The 4th Pennsylvania Cavalry was mustered out on July 1, 1865, at Lynchburg and returned to Pittsburgh for final discharge.
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 (Seven Days’ Battles, Harrison’s Landing)
- Antietam
- Hedgesville Raid
- Fredericksburg
- Kelly’s Ford
- Chancellorsville (reserve)
- Brandy Station
- Gettysburg Campaign (Middleburg, Upperville, Gettysburg)
- Shepherdstown
- Jeffersonton
- Bristoe Station
- Beverly Ford
- Overland Campaign (Wilderness, Yellow Tavern, Haw’s Shop, Cold Harbor)
- Sheridan’s Raids (Trevilian Station, St. Mary’s Church)
- Second Swamp
- Jerusalem Plank Road
- Boydton Plank Road
- Hatcher’s Run (December 1864, February 1865)
- Dinwiddie Court House
- Farmville
- Appomattox Campaign
Casualties
According to Fox’s Regimental Losses and state records, the 4th Pennsylvania Cavalry lost a significant number of men during its service. The regiment suffered losses in killed, wounded, and prisoners, particularly at Jeffersonton and St. Mary’s Church. Many captured at Jeffersonton died at Andersonville Prison. Specific casualty figures are as follows when available:
- Killed or mortally wounded: 5 officers, 61 enlisted men
- Died of disease: 2 officers, 137 enlisted men
- Total deaths: 205
Some details are incomplete in surviving primary sources.
Field Officers & Commanders
- Colonel David Campbell
- Colonel James H. Childs
- Colonel James K. Kerr
- Colonel George H. Covode
- Colonel S. B. M. Young
- Lieutenant Colonel William E. Doster
- Lieutenant Colonel Alexander P. Duncan
- Major James H. Trimble
- Major William M. Biddle
- Major James T. Peale
- Major R. A. Robison
- Major William B. Mays
- Major D. C. Phillips
- Major Robert J. Phipps
- Major N. J. Horrell
- Major John C. Paul
Regimental Roster
The full roster of the 4th Pennsylvania Cavalry, including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster provides details on company assignments, ranks, enlistment dates, and other service information.
To view the complete roster, visit the 4th Pennsylvania Cavalry Regimental Roster page.
Sources & References
- Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes and parts
- Pennsylvania Adjutant General’s Report
- Dyer, Frederick H., A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion
- Fox, William F., Regimental Losses in the American Civil War
- The Union Army, Federal Publishing Company, 1908, Volume 1
- Contemporary wartime reports and regimental documents