Overview
The 11th Pennsylvania Cavalry (108th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers) served as a Union cavalry regiment during the American Civil War. Organized initially as Harlan’s Light Cavalry, the regiment was mustered into United States service at Philadelphia for a three years’ term beginning in August and September 1861. The unit was composed of companies recruited from Pennsylvania, Iowa, New York, New Jersey, and Ohio, reflecting a diverse composition. The regiment participated in operations primarily in the Eastern Theater and was notable for its frequent cavalry raids and engagements in Virginia and North Carolina.
The 11th Pennsylvania Cavalry was officially designated the 108th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers on November 13, 1861, in compliance with state organization requirements. The regiment remained active throughout the war, participating in numerous expeditions, raids, and battles, and was mustered out of service on August 13, 1865, at Richmond, Virginia.
Organization & Service
The 11th Pennsylvania Cavalry (Three Years’ Service) was organized at Philadelphia in August and September 1861 as Harlan’s Light Cavalry, an independent regiment. Its companies were recruited from several states: Company A from Iowa, parts of Companies E and F from New York, part of Company I from New Jersey, Company M from Ohio, and the remainder from Pennsylvania. The regiment, numbering 1,130 men, moved to Washington, D.C., in early October 1861 and was assigned to General I. N. Palmer’s brigade at Ball’s Cross Roads, Virginia.
On November 13, 1861, the unit was redesignated as the 108th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. From November 17, 1861, to March 1862, the regiment was stationed at Fortress Monroe, Virginia. In March, two companies were detached to Newport News. In May, five companies were sent to Portsmouth and then to Suffolk, while the remaining companies joined the Army of the Potomac at White House Landing in June, later regrouping at Suffolk. The regiment conducted frequent expeditions and skirmishes in the surrounding region, including actions at Deserted House, Franklin, and the defense of Suffolk.
In June 1862, the regiment moved to Hanover Court House, capturing works and prisoners before proceeding to White House Landing for a raid on the Richmond & Fredericksburg Railroad. Returning to Portsmouth, the regiment participated in expeditions into North Carolina and Mathews County, Virginia. Headquarters were established at Camp Getty near Portsmouth, from which further raids were launched. In early 1864, 400 members reenlisted. The regiment was ordered to Williamsburg in January 1864, returning to Portsmouth in April. Company G was detached for special duty in eastern Virginia in February.
Throughout 1864, the regiment participated in raids on the Weldon, Danville, and South Side railroads, encamped at Bermuda Hundred, and engaged in actions at Stony Creek and Reams’ Station. In July, the regiment was stationed at Jones’ Neck on the James River, with companies detached and reassigned as needed. The regiment joined General Sheridan’s cavalry operations in late July, participating in further actions along the Weldon Railroad and at Reams’ Station. It remained active in the Petersburg area through the fall and winter of 1864, including engagements at New Market Heights.
In early 1865, the regiment conducted raids into Surry and Isle of Wight counties. In late March, it joined General Sheridan at Reams’ Station and participated in the Battle of Five Forks and the subsequent pursuit of Confederate forces, culminating in the surrender at Appomattox Court House. The regiment then moved to Richmond, Staunton, and Charlottesville before being mustered out at Richmond on August 13, 1865.
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
- Operations at Ball’s Cross Roads, Virginia (1861)
- Stationed at Fortress Monroe and Newport News (1861–1862)
- Expeditions and actions at Suffolk, Deserted House, and Franklin (1862–1863)
- Hanover Court House and raid on Richmond & Fredericksburg Railroad (June 1862)
- Expedition to Jackson, North Carolina
- Expedition into Mathews County, Virginia (October 1862)
- Raids on Weldon, Danville, and South Side Railroads (1864)
- Engagements at Stony Creek and Reams’ Station (1864)
- Operations at Jones’ Neck, Mount Sinai Church, and vicinity of Petersburg (1864)
- Engagement at New Market Heights (December 1864)
- Raids into Surry and Isle of Wight Counties (February 1865)
- Battle of Five Forks (April 1, 1865)
- Pursuit to Appomattox Court House and Lee’s surrender (April 1865)
Casualties
According to available primary sources, the 11th Pennsylvania Cavalry sustained the following losses during its service:
- Killed or mortally wounded: 5 officers, 61 enlisted men
- Died of disease: 1 officer, 126 enlisted men
- Total deaths: 193
Figures are based on Dyer’s Compendium and state reports.
Field Officers & Commanders
- Colonel Josiah Harlan
- Colonel Samuel P. Spear
- Colonel Frank A. Stratton
- Lieutenant Colonel Samuel P. Spear
- Lieutenant Colonel George Stetzell
- Lieutenant Colonel Frank A. Stratton
- Lieutenant Colonel James A. Skelly
- Major George Stetzell
- Major Samuel Wetherill
- Major Noah M. Runyon
- Major Frank A. Stratton
- Major George T. Curnog
- Major Albert J. Ackerly
- Major James A. Skelly
- Major John Cassells
- Major Samuel N. Titus
- Major J. E. McFarland
- Major Robert S. Monroe
- Major John S. Nimmon
- Major Archibald A. Menzies
Regimental Roster
The full roster of the 11th Pennsylvania Cavalry (108th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers) is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster includes officers and enlisted men who served during the regiment’s three years’ term, with details on company assignments and service records.
To view the complete roster, visit the 11th Pennsylvania Cavalry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.
Sources & References
- Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes and parts (see reports of cavalry operations in Virginia and North Carolina, 1861–1865)
- Pennsylvania Adjutant General’s Report, annual volumes (1861–1865)
- 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, Vol. 1