159th Pennsylvania Regiment, 14th PA Cavalry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry (Three Years’ Service) was a Union regiment organized in Pennsylvania during the American Civil War. Recruitment began in August 1862, primarily drawing men from Allegheny, Fayette, Armstrong, Washington, Lawrence, Erie, and Warren counties, as well as the city of Philadelphia. The regiment served in the Eastern Theater, participating in numerous campaigns and engagements, particularly in West Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley.

This regiment was mustered into United States service at Camp Howe and Camp Montgomery near Pittsburgh between August 21 and November 4, 1862, for a three-year term. The 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry became known for its extensive campaigning, long marches, and active participation in several major raids and battles.

Organization & Service

James N. Schoonmaker, previously a lieutenant in the 1st Maryland Cavalry, was authorized in August 1862 to recruit a battalion of five companies, which quickly expanded to a full regiment. The men assembled at Camp Howe and later Camp Montgomery, near Pittsburgh, and were mustered into service from August 21 to November 4, 1862. The regiment moved to Hagerstown, Maryland, where it received horses, arms, and equipment, and underwent cavalry training.

On December 28, 1862, the regiment proceeded to Harper’s Ferry, performing picket and scouting duties for several months. A detachment under Major Foley remained at Harper’s Ferry while the rest joined General Averell’s forces at Grafton. The regiment skirmished at Beverly and Huttonville in July 1863, then rejoined General Kelley’s forces at Cumberland and moved to Williamsport, joining the Army of the Potomac. It engaged enemy cavalry near Martinsburg on July 15, 1863, and was soon reunited with Major Foley’s detachment.

In August 1863, the regiment participated in Averell’s Rocky Gap raid in West Virginia, fighting at White Sulphur Springs and suffering significant losses. In November, it joined Averell’s Droop Mountain raid, engaging at Mill Point and Droop Mountain. The regiment took part in Averell’s second raid into southwestern Virginia in December 1863, destroying supplies, railroads, and bridges, and enduring difficult conditions.

Winter quarters were established at Martinsburg, with the regiment engaged in picket, guard, and scout duties until spring 1864. As part of the 1st Brigade (Colonel Schoonmaker) of Averell’s Division, the regiment broke winter quarters on April 12, 1864, moving to Parkersburg and then south to the Virginia & Tennessee Railroad, aiming to destroy the Saltville salt works. The regiment was heavily engaged at Cove Mountain in May 1864. A detachment under Captain Duncan was engaged at New Market and Piedmont, rejoining the regiment at Staunton for the Lynchburg campaign. The regiment participated in actions at Lexington, Buchanan, and the battle of Lynchburg, and served as part of Hunter’s rear guard during the retreat, fighting at Liberty and Salem.

After reaching Parkersburg, the regiment returned to Martinsburg by rail. In July 1864, it fought at Winchester and pursued McCausland’s forces after the burning of Chambersburg, engaging at Moorefield. The regiment then participated in Sheridan’s Shenandoah Valley campaign, fighting at Opequon, Fisher’s Hill, Weyer’s Cave, and Cedar Creek. It continued operations through the winter of 1864–65, including expeditions to Millwood and Ashby’s Gap.

Following Lee’s surrender, the regiment was stationed near Washington, D.C., for two months before moving to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. On July 17, 1865, it was consolidated into a battalion of six companies. The field and staff and Companies B, C, D, E, and F were mustered out on August 24, 1865, and Company A was mustered out on November 2, 1865, after serving as an escort to General Dodge.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Picket and scouting duty at Harper’s Ferry (late 1862–early 1863)
• Beverly and Huttonville (July 1863)
• Martinsburg (July 15, 1863)
• Rocky Gap raid, including White Sulphur Springs (August 1863)
• Droop Mountain raid, including Mill Point and Droop Mountain (November 1863)
• Southwestern Virginia raid (December 1863)
• Cove Mountain (May 1864)
• New Market and Piedmont (May–June 1864, detachment)
• Lynchburg campaign: Lexington, Buchanan, Lynchburg, Liberty, Salem (June 1864)
• Winchester (July 1864)
• Moorefield (August 1864)
• Shenandoah Valley campaign: Opequon, Fisher’s Hill, Weyer’s Cave, Cedar Creek (September–October 1864)
• Expeditions to Millwood and Ashby’s Gap (winter 1864–65)

Casualties

According to available sources, the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry suffered the following losses in key actions:

• White Sulphur Springs: 80 killed, wounded, and missing
• Southwestern Virginia raid (December 1863): approximately 50 casualties
• Cove Mountain (May 1864): 12 killed, 37 wounded
• Liberty (June 19, 1864): 6 killed, 18 wounded
• Moorefield (August 1864): 10 killed, 25 wounded
• Other losses occurred in various engagements and through disease, but complete aggregate figures are not specified in primary sources.

Some details are incomplete in surviving primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel James N. Schoonmaker
• Lieutenant Colonel William Blakeley
• Lieutenant Colonel John M. Daily
• Major Thomas Gibson
• Major Shadrack Foley
• Major John M. Daily
• Major William W. Miles
• Major John Bird

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster provides names, ranks, and additional service details where available.

To view the complete roster, visit the 14th 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 on Averell’s raids, Shenandoah Valley operations, and cavalry actions in West Virginia and Virginia)
• 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, Vol. 1