162nd Pennsylvania Regiment, 17th PA Cavalry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 17th Pennsylvania Cavalry (162nd Pennsylvania Regiment) served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Organized as a cavalry regiment under the President’s call of July 2, 1862, it was recruited from across Pennsylvania and mustered in at Camp Simmons, Harrisburg, between September and November 1862 for a three-year term. The regiment was primarily active in the Eastern Theater and participated in many major campaigns and battles, earning a reputation for discipline and effectiveness.

The 17th Pennsylvania Cavalry was one of three cavalry regiments raised by the state in response to the 1862 call. Its ranks included a few Mexican War veterans, but most members had no prior military experience. The regiment was attached to the 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac, and served in this capacity throughout its term.

Organization & Service

The regiment was organized at Camp Simmons, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and mustered into United States service during September, October, and November 1862. Colonel Josiah H. Kellogg, formerly a captain in the 1st U.S. Cavalry, was its first commander. After mustering, the regiment left Pennsylvania on November 25, 1862, for Washington, D.C., and was soon ordered to the front.

The 17th Pennsylvania Cavalry first engaged Confederate forces at Occoquan, Virginia, skirmishing with Hampton’s cavalry, and later encountered Stuart’s cavalry at Dumfries. It was assigned to the 2nd Brigade (Col. Devin), 1st Division (Gen. Pleasonton), Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac, and remained in this brigade and division throughout its service.

At the Battle of Chancellorsville, the brigade was the only cavalry present. Companies C and I served as escort to Gen. Meade, while the rest of the regiment helped resist Confederate attacks during the rout of the XI Corps. The regiment was commended by Gen. Pleasonton for its conduct. It fought at Beverly Ford and Upperville during the Gettysburg Campaign. On July 1, 1863, under Gen. Buford, the division initiated the Battle of Gettysburg, holding back Confederate forces until Union infantry arrived. The 17th Cavalry continued to serve in screening, communications, and pursuit roles throughout the battle and subsequent operations.

The regiment was active in the fall campaigns of 1863 and spent the winter at Culpeper, Virginia, picketing lines toward James City. In February 1864, a detachment joined Kilpatrick’s raid on Richmond. During the Overland Campaign, the regiment fought at the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, and participated in Sheridan’s raids, seeing action at Beaver Dam Station, Yellow Tavern, Meadow Bridge, and other locations. It rejoined the main army in late May and continued in active operations, including at Cold Harbor, Trevilian Station, White House, Jones’ Bridge, and Charles City Court House.

In July 1864, the regiment fought at Deep Bottom and then joined Sheridan’s Shenandoah Valley Campaign, engaging at Sulphur Springs Bridge, White Post, Crooked Run, Front Royal, Kearneysville, Shepherdstown, Berryville, Bunker Hill, and the Battle of Opequan, where it led a charge. After Opequan, it was stationed at Winchester for communications duty. A detachment under Major Spera accompanied Sheridan during the Battle of Cedar Creek on October 19, 1864.

In late 1864 and early 1865, the regiment was active at White’s Ford, Jack’s Shop, and participated in Sheridan’s raid in February and March 1865. Rejoining the Army of the Potomac before Petersburg, it took part in the final campaign, including the pursuit to Appomattox Court House, where it remained engaged until the Confederate surrender.

The 17th Pennsylvania Cavalry was mustered out at Cloud’s Mills, Virginia, on June 16, 1865. A small remnant was consolidated with the 1st and 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry to form the 2nd Pennsylvania Provisional Cavalry, which was mustered out on August 7, 1865, at Louisville, Kentucky.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Occoquan, Virginia (late 1862)
• Dumfries, Virginia (late 1862)
• Chancellorsville Campaign (May 1863)
• Beverly Ford (June 1863)
• Upperville (June 1863)
• Gettysburg Campaign, including the Battle of Gettysburg (July 1863)
• Boonsboro (July 1863)
• Fall campaigns in Virginia (1863)
• Kilpatrick’s Raid to Richmond (February 1864, detachment)
• Wilderness and Spottsylvania (May 1864)
• Sheridan’s Raids: Beaver Dam Station, Ground Squirrel Church, Yellow Tavern, Meadow Bridge (May 1864)
• New Castle Ferry, Hanoverton, Old Church, Cold Harbor (May–June 1864)
• Trevilian Station (June 1864)
• White House, Jones’ Bridge, Charles City Court House (June 1864)
• Deep Bottom (July 1864)
• Sheridan’s Shenandoah Valley Campaign: Sulphur Springs Bridge, White Post, Crooked Run, Front Royal, Kearneysville, Shepherdstown, Berryville, Bunker Hill, Opequan (August–September 1864)
• Cedar Creek (October 1864, detachment)
• White’s Ford, Jack’s Shop (December 1864)
• Sheridan’s Raid in rear of Richmond (February–March 1865)
• Petersburg and Appomattox Campaign (March–April 1865)

Casualties

According to available sources, the 17th Pennsylvania Cavalry suffered the following losses in specific engagements:

• Spottsylvania Road (May 1864): 14 killed and wounded
• Cold Harbor (June 1864): 22 killed and wounded
• Trevilian Station (June 1864): 5 killed, 19 wounded, 2 missing
• White House (June 1864): 5 killed, 12 wounded

Total regimental losses for the entire term are not fully detailed in surviving primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Josiah H. Kellogg
• Colonel J. Q. Anderson
• Lieutenant Colonel John B. McAllister
• Lieutenant Colonel J. Q. Anderson
• Lieutenant Colonel Coe Durland
• Major David B. Hartranft
• Major Coe Durland
• Major Reuben R. Reinhold
• Major J. Q. Anderson
• Major Weidner H. Spera
• Major Luther B. Kurtz
• Major William Thompson

Regimental Roster

The full roster of officers and enlisted men who served in the 17th Pennsylvania Cavalry (162nd Pennsylvania Regiment) is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster includes names, ranks, and service details as recorded in official state and federal records.

To view the complete roster, visit the 17th Pennsylvania Cavalry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes 19, 27, 29, 36, 39, 43
• 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