89th Pennsylvania Regiment, 8th PA Cavalry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 8th Pennsylvania Cavalry (Eighty-Ninth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers) served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Organized as a cavalry regiment after initial plans for a rifle regiment, it was recruited primarily in Philadelphia, Lycoming, Bucks, and Schuylkill counties. The regiment was mustered into United States service between July 23 and September 17, 1861, at Philadelphia, for a three years’ term. The 8th Pennsylvania Cavalry was active in the Eastern Theater and participated in many major campaigns and battles throughout the war.

This unit is distinct from any other Pennsylvania cavalry regiments with different service terms or designations.

Organization & Service

The 8th Pennsylvania Cavalry was mustered in at Philadelphia from July to September 1861. Initially intended as a rifle regiment, it was converted to cavalry prior to mustering. The regiment left Pennsylvania for Washington, D.C., on October 4, 1861, and was brigaded with the 3rd Pennsylvania Cavalry, performing routine duties near the capital during the winter of 1861–62. On January 17, 1862, Capt. David McM. Gregg, a West Point graduate, was appointed colonel following the retirement of Col. Chorman.

During the Peninsula Campaign, the regiment was attached to the 4th Corps and participated in skirmishes at New Kent Court House and near Garnett’s house, suffering its first losses. It was present at the battles of Fair Oaks and Malvern Hill. Companies D, A, and B were detached for special duties during this period. At Harrison’s Landing, Col. Gregg took command of a cavalry brigade, and the regiment was heavily engaged in picket duty. The 8th moved with Pleasonton’s brigade to Yorktown, served as rear guard, and returned to Alexandria after the Second Battle of Bull Run.

In September 1862, the regiment was engaged at Freedom Hill, Sugar Loaf Mountain, Darnestown, and entered Frederick, Maryland, driving out Confederate cavalry. It participated in reconnaissance to Gettysburg and skirmished on the Sharpsburg Pike following the Battle of Antietam. The regiment saw further action at Charlestown and, as part of Pleasonton’s cavalry, led the advance into Virginia in late October, engaging at Philomont, Upperville, Aldie, Barbour’s Cross-Roads, Ashby’s Gap, Chester Gap, Orleans, Amissville, and Hazel River.

The 8th Pennsylvania Cavalry was assigned to picket duty at the Rapidan and Rappahannock fords, and a squadron under Capt. Wilson was captured near Leeds. The regiment moved to Fredericksburg before the battle there, with one squadron engaged during the fighting. Col. Gregg was promoted to brigadier general on the field, and Maj. Huey succeeded to regimental command in June 1862. The regiment returned to Falmouth and performed scout and picket duty along the Rappahannock, wintering at Acquia Creek in early 1863.

Assigned to Col. Devin’s brigade in Pleasonton’s division, the 8th participated in the Chancellorsville Campaign, suffering heavy losses and earning commendation for a notable charge on May 2, 1863. Afterward, it performed picket duties until the Gettysburg Campaign, engaging at New Market and joining Kilpatrick’s command at Emmitsburg. The regiment assisted in capturing Confederate wagons and prisoners following Gettysburg and was involved in skirmishing near Boonesboro and Jones’ Cross-Roads.

Returning to Virginia, the regiment guarded the Manassas Railroad and Thoroughfare Gap, and in August 1863 joined the 1st Brigade under Gen. J. Irvin Gregg. It was heavily engaged at Sulphur Springs and Bristoe Station, and fought at New Hope Church during the Mine Run Campaign. The regiment wintered at Bealeton Station and participated in raids into the Luray Valley and Chester Gap. Most men reenlisted as veterans and received furloughs by battalion.

In the 1864 Overland Campaign, the 8th Pennsylvania Cavalry served with Sheridan’s corps, suffering significant losses at the Richmond raid, Haw’s Shop, and Trevilian Station. At St. Mary’s Church, the regiment lost heavily, with Col. Huey and Capt. Piggott captured. The regiment crossed the James River in July, performed picket duty, and saw action at Malvern Hill and the Charles City Road. In August, it fought at Yellow Tavern, where Lt. Col. Wilson was wounded and Maj. Wistar assumed command. Reduced to about 200 men, the regiment continued to serve, with Maj. Wistar wounded at Reams’ Station and Capt. Alex. McCallum taking command.

The 8th Pennsylvania Cavalry participated in the siege of Petersburg and, in the spring of 1865, joined Sheridan’s campaign leading to the surrender of Lee at Appomattox. The regiment was ordered to Lynchburg and consolidated with the 16th Pennsylvania Cavalry on July 24, 1865. It was mustered out with that organization on August 11, 1865, at Richmond, Virginia.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Peninsula Campaign (1862): New Kent Court House, Garnett’s House, Fair Oaks, Malvern Hill
• Maryland Campaign (1862): Sugar Loaf Mountain, Darnestown, Frederick, Antietam (skirmishing after battle)
• Virginia Operations (1862): Charlestown, Philomont, Upperville, Aldie, Barbour’s Cross-Roads, Ashby’s Gap, Chester Gap, Orleans, Amissville, Hazel River
• Fredericksburg (1862)
• Chancellorsville Campaign (1863): Chancellorsville
• Gettysburg Campaign (1863): New Market, Westminster, Hanover Junction, Emmitsburg, Boonesboro, Jones’ Cross-Roads
• Virginia Operations (1863): Manassas Railroad, Thoroughfare Gap, Sulphur Springs, Bristoe Station, New Hope Church, Mine Run
• Raids: Luray Valley, Chester Gap
• Overland Campaign (1864): Richmond Raid, Haw’s Shop, Trevilian Station, St. Mary’s Church
• Petersburg Campaign (1864–65): Malvern Hill, Charles City Road, Yellow Tavern, Reams’ Station, Jerusalem Plank Road
• Appomattox Campaign (1865): Five Forks, operations leading to Lee’s surrender

Casualties

According to available primary sources, the 8th Pennsylvania Cavalry suffered significant losses in several major engagements, including approximately 150 killed and wounded at Chancellorsville, about 100 men lost during the Richmond raid, 25 at Haw’s Shop, 35 at Trevilian Station, and around 40 at St. Mary’s Church. Additional losses occurred at Yellow Tavern and Reams’ Station. Comprehensive total casualty figures are not consistently reported in all sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel David McM. Gregg
• Colonel Pennock Huey
• Colonel E. G. Chorman
• Colonel William A. Corrie
• Lieutenant Colonel A. E. Griffiths
• Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Wilson
• Lieutenant Colonel William A. Corrie
• Lieutenant Colonel Robert Oldham
• Major Albert J. Enos
• Major Pennock Huey
• Major William H. Forrest
• Major Peter Keenan
• Major William A. Corrie
• Major Joseph W. Wistar
• Major Robert McCool
• Major Robert Oldham
• Major Benjamin A. Phifer
• Captain Alex. McCallum (commanded after field officers were killed, wounded, or captured)

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 8th Pennsylvania Cavalry, including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster provides names, ranks, and service details for those who served in the regiment during its three years’ term.

To view the complete roster, visit the 8th Pennsylvania Cavalry Regimental Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes and parts (Army of the Potomac, Cavalry Corps reports)
• Pennsylvania Adjutant General’s Report, annual volumes (rosters, returns, and regimental summaries)
• 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 returns