United States Regiments & Batteries > New York > 5th New York Cavalry Regiment
“1st Ira Harris’ Guard”
The 5th New York Cavalry Regiment lost 8 officers and 93 enlisted men killed and mortally wounded, and 21 officers and 244 enlisted men wounded during the American Civil War. Three officers and 222 enlisted men died of disease. Eight officers and over 500 enlisted men were captured, of whom 104 died in Confederate prisons.
Six men from the regiment were awarded the Medal of Honor. The 5th New York Cavalry Regiment is honored by a monument at Gettysburg.
1861
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July 26 | Colonel Othneil De Forest was authorized by the War Department to recruit a brigade of cavalry for three years service. The regiment organized at Camp Scott on Staten Island as the Ira Harris Cavalry, named for one of New York’s Senators. Many of the men had been recruited by Colonel W.S. Bliss for the Bliss Cavalry, which did not meet its organizational goals and was merged into the regiment.
![]() Colonel Othneil De Forest |
August 15 |
The regiment mustered in by companyCompany A mustered in; recruited from the Bliss Cavalry in New York City. |
August 21 | Company B mustered in; recruited from the Bliss Cavalry in New York City |
September 3 | Company C mustered in; recruited in New York City, Troy and Kingston. |
September 9 | Company G mustered in; recruited in Pike, Oswego and Elmira |
September 21 | Company F mustered in; recruited in East Pike, East Gainesville, Castile, Attica, Oramel, Wellsville, China, Hume, Sardinia and Freedom |
October 1 | Company D mustered in; recruited in Springfield, Massachusetts and New York CityJames Davidson mustered in as Second Battalion major |
October 2 | Robert Johnstone mustered in as lieutenant colonel |
October 7 | Company E mustered in; recruited in Allegany, Kennedy, Richburgh, Belmont, East Rushford, Friendship, Ellicottsville, Cuba, Black Creek, Little Valley, Scio, Genesee, Farmersville, Great Valley and Wellsville. |
October 9 | Company H mustered in; recruited in Crown Point |
October 16 | The regiment was turned over to the State of New York and was designated as the First Ira Harris Guard. |
October 28 | Companies I – L mustered in.
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October 31 | Company M mustered in; recruited from the Bliss Cavalry in New York City. |
November 14 | With its organization completed, the regiment was redesignated as the 5th New York Cavalry Regiment. George Gardner mustered in as Third Battalion major. The regiment mustered 50 officers and 1,064 enlisted men. |
November 18 | Left New York for Baltimore, Maryland. Attached to Dix’s Command for duty at Camp Harris, Baltimore. |
1862
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March 31 | Ordered to join Banks’ 5th Corps in the field |
April | Assigned to Hatch’s Cavalry Brigade, Department Of the Shenandoah |
April 19 | South Fork, Shenandoah River |
April 29 | New Market |
May 2 |
Port RepublicCompany A lost Private John Beaumont captured, the regiment’s first casualty, when it found the camp of “Stonewall” Jackson on a scouting patrol. |
May 2 | Conrad’s Store |
May 3 | Reported to General Hatch |
May 4 | Rockingham Furnace |
May 6 |
Near HarrisonburgThe regiment skirmished with Turner Ashby’s cavalry, launching a saber charge which killed 8 Confederates and captured 7. Private Asahel A. Spencer of Company E was killed, the regiment’s first fatality. One man was wounded, and 1 officer and 1 enlisted man were captured. |
May 7 |
New MarketThe regiment lost 2 enlisted men killed. |
May 8 | Columbia River Bridge |
May 11 | Bowling Green Road near Fredericksburg |
May 15-June 17 |
Operations in the Shenandoah Valley |
May 18 |
WoodstockThe regiment lost 1 officer wounded |
May 23 |
Front RoyalCompanies B and D, commanded by Major Vought, were sent to Front Royal to provide cavalry scouting for the 1,000 man Union outpost there. They arrived just in time for “Stonewall” Jackson’s overwhelming assault on the town. The two companies fought as a rearguard as the 100 survivors of the garrison retreated north. The two companies lost 38 casualties, including one officer and two enlisted men killed or mortally wounded. |
May 25 |
Strasburg, Middletown and NewtownAs Jackson’s Confederates raced around the flank of Banks’ army at Strasburg, Banks ordered a desperate retreat fifty miles north to the Potomac in order to not be cut off. Six companies of the 5th New York Cavalry were ordered to be the rear guard in Strasburg, which included destroying any supplies that could not be saved. By the time the supplies were taken care of Jackson’s men had cut the road north to Maryland. Colonel De Forest gathered up any stragglers in town, including an artillery battery and 32 supply wagons, and headed northwest into the mountains. They took a roundabout route that added 35 miles to the trip, but ended up safely in Maryland. The regiment lost 13 casualties. |
May 25 |
WinchesterThe regiment lost 10 casualties. |
May 28-30 | Defense of Harper’s Ferry (4 Companies). Major Davidson resigned. He would be replaced by Major Washington Wheeler. |
June 15 | Reconnaissance to New Market |
June | Assigned to Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Corps, Army of Virginia |
July 6 |
SperryvilleThe regiment lost 1 enlisted man wounded and 1 captured. |
July 12 | Near Culpeper Court House |
July 15 |
Orange Court HouseThe regiment lost 5 enlisted men captured, |
July 17 |
Liberty MillsThe regiment lost 3 enlisted men captured |
July 18 |
Barnett’s FordThe regiment lost 1 enlisted man wounded and 1 officer and 22 enlisted men captured |
August 2 |
Near Orange Court HouseThe regiment entered an apparently deserted town and was ambushed by Confederate cavalry. It lost 3 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded, 1 officer and 8 enlisted men wounded and 11 enlisted men captured. Bugler Conrad Bohrer of Company I died from a saber wound after his horse was shot. Captain Hammond charged into the town from the opposite end with three companies, driving the Confederates off. Major Thomas C. Marshall and 47 men from the 7th Virginia Cavalry Regiment were captured. |
August 9-10 |
Cedar MountainThe regiment lost 1 enlisted man killed |
August 16- September 2 |
Pope’s Campaign in Northern Virginia |
August 17 | Louisa Court House |
August 20 | Kelly’s Ford |
August 23-24 | Warrenton Springs |
August 24 |
Waterloo Bridge (First Battle of Rappahannock Station)
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August 28 | Centreville |
August 28 | The 5th New York Cavalry was chosen as bodyguards and escort. Seven companies served as escort for General Pope, for General Pope three companies were detached to General Heinzleman, and one company for General Banks. |
August 29 |
Groveton (Brawner’s Farm)The regiment lost 1 enlisted man killed, 5 wounded and 5 captured. |
August 30 |
Lewis Ford and Second Bull Run (Second Manassas)One man was killed and another wounded. |
September 1 |
Chantilly |
September | Assigned to Wyndham’s Cavalry Brigade, Defenses of Washington |
September 10 | Colonel Othneil De Forest took medical leave from the regiment, leaving Lieutenant Colonel Robert Johnstone in command. |
September 17-19 |
Battle of Antietam (Sharpsburg) |
September 22 | Ashby’s Gap |
September 26 | Major Washington Wheeler resigned. Captain John Hammond of Company H was promoted to major |
October 16 |
LeesburgThe regiment lost 2 enlisted men captured |
October 17 |
UppervilleThe regiment lost 1 enlisted man captured |
October 18 |
Thoroughfare Gap and HaymarketThe regiment lost 2 enlisted men wounded |
November 1 | Major Gardner resigned. |
November 5 | New Baltimore and Cedar Hill |
November 8 |
Hopewell GapThe regiment lost 1 enlisted man captured |
November 11 | Thoroughfare Gap |
November 12 | Middleburg |
November 16 | Uppervillenovember 1. |
November 25 | Adjutant William Bacon was promoted to major effective |
November 29 |
AldieCaptain commanded the regiment in a scout across Snickers Gap toward Aldie. After he led the regiment in driving away sharpshooters from the ford across the Shenandoah River, he pushed them to their camps three miles away, and called for reinforcements. The fight resulted in the captured of 3 officers, 32 enlisted men, 60 horses, 50 head of cattle, wagons, and ambulances. ![]() Lieutenant Colonel Abram Krom |
November 30 | Snicker’s Gap and Berryville |
December 18 |
AldieThe regiment lost 1 enlisted man killed and 1 captured |
December 31 |
Cub RunThe regiment lost 2 enlisted men captured |
1863
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January 5 |
Frying Pan and Cub RunThe regiment lost 1 enlisted man wounded and 11 captured |
January 26 |
MiddleburgThe regiment lost 1 enlisted men captured |
January 30 | Major William Pratt resigned. |
February | Assigned to Price’s Independent Cavalry Brigade, 22nd Army Corps, Dept. of Washington |
February 7 | Captain Amos White of Company D was promoted to major, effective February 2. |
February 9 |
New BaltimoreThe regiment lost 4 enlisted men captured |
February 10 |
WarrentonThe regiment lost 2 enlisted men captured |
March 4 |
AldieThe regiment lost 1 enlisted man wpunded and 3 captured |
March 9 |
Fairfax Court House RaidConfederate John S. Mosby’s Raid on Fairfax Courthouse was intended to capture Brigadier General Edwin H. Stoughton and Colonel Percy Wyndham, Mosby’s major adversaries in fighting for control of “Mosby’s Confederacy.” Mosby rode into Fairfax at 2 a.m. with 29 of his Rangers and completely surprised the Union garrison. He was guided by Corporal James “Big Yankee” Ames, who had deserted from the 5th New York Cavalry the month before. General Stoughton was away on business in Wahington, but Mosby captured thirty prisoners, including Colonel Percy Wyndham and Captain Augustus J. Barker of the 5th New York Cavalry, who was on the brigade staff. Lieutenant Colonel Robert Johnstone was almost added to the total. He was billeted in a nearby house but was overlooked until he leaned out the bedroom window and angrily ordered everyone to stop the noise. Johnstone was horrified to discover he was not yelling at his own men but Confederate raiders, who laughed and quickly came looking for him. Johnstone scurried out the back window of the house, according to legend totally naked, and took refuge under the outhouse. The Confederates were halted for a time at the front door of the house by Johnstone’s wife, who furiously met the raiders “like a lioness.” The Confederates later remembered that “she provided the only resistance of the entire raid.” Whether it was his wife’s spirited defense or his hiding place, Johnstone escaped capture, although he lost all his uniforms. However, he was not allowed back into his wife’s embrace until he had bathed. “Big Yankee” Ames was promoted to Second Lieutenant, and Colonel Johnstone was forever afterwards known as “Outhouse Johnstone.” |
March 23 |
Little River Turnpike and ChantillyThe regiment lost 3 enlisted men killed, 1 officer and 2 enlisted men wounded, and Lieutenant Henry Merritt and 35 enlisted men captured |
April | Assigned to 3rd Brigade, Stahel’s Cavalry Division, 22nd Corps |
April 1 | Broad Run |
April 28 |
White PlainsThe regiment lost 1 enlisted man captured |
May 3 |
Warrenton JunctionA detachment of 40 men under Major Hammond surprised a group of Mosby’s Rangers who had ambushed a detachment of 100 men of the 1st West Virginia Cavalry. Hammond charged the disordered Confederates and rescued most of the captured West Virginians. The regiment lost 1 enlisted man mortally wounded. Captain Abram Krom was wounded in the leg and face and his horse was killed, and 2 other officers and 9 enlisted men were wounded. ![]() Colonel John Hammond |
May 4 | Flemming and Shannon Cross Roads |
May 8 |
Near Fairfax Court HouseThe regiment lost 1 enlisted man captured |
May 14 |
Marsteller’s PlaceThe regiment lost 3 enlisted men wounded. |
May 30 |
GreenwichThe regiment lost 3 enlisted men killed, 1 officer and 6 enlisted men wounded, and 3 enlisted men captured |
June 1 |
Snicker’s GapMajor Hammond was in command of the regiment. |
June 10 | Middleburg |
June 19 | Warrenton |
June 28 | Assigned to 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac |
June 30 |
Battle of Hanover, PennsylvaniaThe regiment engaged in hand to hand fighting with Stuart’s Cavalry in the streets of Hanover. The fighting is referenced on a wayside marker on Frederick Street in Hanover, which has a photo of Major White. “Besides Major John Hammond, other officers of the 5th New York Cavalry Regiment were noted for bravery that day. Major Amos White and Adjutant Alexander Gall were involved in the thick of the fighting as the New Yorkers gave chase to the Confederates past this point. In this proximal region, Adjutant Gall was felled from his horse and instantly killed as a bullet pierced his left eye. Major White continued on with the charge and received a severe bullet wound in the foot, from which he eventually recovered.” Two officers and four enlisted men were killed or mortally wounded, Major White and 29 enlisted men were wounded, and 18 enlisted men captured or missing. The 5th New York captured Lieutenant Colonel Paine and 75 Confederate troopers.
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July 2 |
Battle of HunterstownThe regiment attacked Stuart’s Cavalry at Hunterstown, and afterwards made a flank movement to Gettysburg. |
July 3 |
Battle of GettysburgThe 5th New York Cavalry Regiment was posted south of town on Bushman Hill at the site of its monument. It lost 1 enlisted man killed, 1 wounded, and 4 captured. From the monument at Gettysburg:July 2nd 1863. This July 3, 1863, this regiment under command of Maj. John Hammond supported Battery E, 4th U.S. Horse Artillery, Lieut. S. S. Elder losing 6 men. |
July 4 |
Monterey Pass |
July 5 | Smithsburg |
July 6 |
Battle of Williamsport (Hagerstown)The regiment was operating with the 1st Vermont Cavalry, trying to stop Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia from escaping to Virginia. The two regiments were flanked on each side and eventually forced back. The 5th New York Cavalty lost 3 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded, 2 officers and 7 enlisted men wounded, and 4 officers and 75 enlisted men captured. |
July 8 |
BoonsboroThe regiment lost 1 enlisted man wounded and 1 captured |
July 11-13 | Hagerstown |
July 10 | |
July 14 | Falling Waters |
July 15 | Hagerstown |
July 26 | Ashby’s Gap |
July 26 | Ashby’s Gap |
August 13 | Lieutenant Colonel Johnstone took command of the regiment. |
September 1-3 | Expedition to Port Conway |
September 1 | Lamb’s Creek |
September 3 | Lieutenant Colonel Johnstone was placed under arrest. He did not return to the regiment, leaving Major Hammond in command. |
September 3-17 |
Advance from the Rappahannock to the Rapidan |
September 13 | Culpeper Court House |
September 13-14 |
Rapidan Station, Somerville FordThe regiment lost 1 officer and 2 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded, 1 officer and 7 enlisted men wounded, and 14 enlisted men captured |
September 14-16 | Raccoon Ford |
September 18 |
Kelly’s FordThe regiment lost 1 enlisted man wounded |
September 21 | Madison Court House |
September 21-23 |
Reconnaissance across the RapidanThe regiment lost 1 officer |
September 21-22 | White’s Ford |
September 22 | Brookin’s Ford |
September 25 | Hazel River Bridge |
October 8 | Creigerville |
October 9-22 |
Bristoe Campaign |
October 10 | Russell’s Ford, James City and Bethesda Church |
October 11 |
Sperryville Pike, Brandy Station and near CulpeperThe regiment lost 2 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded, 8 wounded, and 1 officer and 17 enlisted men captured |
October 14 | Gainesville |
October 16 | New Market |
October 17-18 | Groveton |
October 19 | Haymarket, Gainesville and Buckland’s Mills |
November 7-8 | Advance to line of the Rappahannock |
November 8 |
StevensburgThe regiment lost 1 enlisted man mortally wounded, 4 wounded, and 17 captured |
November 18 | Germania Ford |
November 26-December 2 |
Mine Run CampaignThe regiment lost 1 enlisted man wounded |
November 26 | Morton’s Ford |
November 26-27 |
Raccoon Ford
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December 3 | Lieutenant Colonel Johnstone was cashiered. Major John Hammon and Captain Abram Krom went to New York on recruiting duties. |
December 5 | Captain Abram Krom was promoted to major. |
1864
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January 19 |
Ely’s FordThe regiment lost 1 enlisted man killed, 2 wounded and 2 captured |
January 22 |
Ely’s FordThe regiment lost 1 enlisted man killed, 6 wounded and 6 captured |
February 6-7 | Demonstration on the Rapidan |
February 28- March 4 |
Kilpatrick’s Raid to RichmondA detachment of 40 men from Companies I & K under Lieutenant Henry A. D. Merritt were attached to the part of Kilpatrick’s raiding force under the command of Colonel Ulrich Dahlgren. |
February 28 |
Ely’s Ford(Kilpatrick Raid Detachment) |
February 29 |
Beaver Dam Station and South Anna Bridge(Kilpatrick Raid Detachment) |
March 1 |
Defenses of Richmond(Kilpatrick Raid Detachment) The detachment lost 1 officer and 4 enlisted men wounded, and 18 enlisted men captured |
March 2 |
Hanovertown, Aylett’s and Stevensville(Kilpatrick Raid Detachment) Lieutenant Henry Merritt was wounded and he and 7 enlisted men were captured. Four of the enlisted men would die in Anderson Prison, but Lieutenant Merritt would escape from a prison in South Carolina on Novermber 28. |
March 3 |
King’s and Queen’s Court House(Kilpatrick Raid Detachment) The regiment lost 1 officer and 13 enlisted men captured. |
March 4 |
Ely’s FordThe regiment lost 1 enlisted man killed, 1 mortally wounded, 1 wounded, and 5 captured |
March 8 | Field’s Ford |
March 11 |
Southard’s Cross RoadsThe regiment lost 1 enlisted man wounded and 1 captured |
March 15 | Major John Hammon and Captain Abram Krom returned from New York City with 500 new recruits. |
March 24 | Colonel Othneil De Forest was court martialed and dismissed for “presenting false and fraudulent accounts against the government”. Major John Hammond was promoted to lieutenant colonel and Captain Abram Krom of Company G to major.Othneil De Forest would return to New York City. After a shorf illness he died on December 16 of “congestion of the brain” at the age of 37. |
May-June |
Rapidan Campaign |
May 5 |
Parker’s StoreThe 5th New York led the way down the Orange Plank Road and set up a picket line until Union infantry reached them. Company I ran into Confederate infantry under A.P. Hill and were driven back to Parker’s Store. For five hours the regiment fought a dismounted delaying action in the dense woods, using their repeating Spencer rifles to good advantage, until Getty’s Division of the Sixth Corps arrived. They were then pulled back a mile behind the lines to rest and replenish ammunition. The regiment’s fight kept Hancock’s Union Second Corps from being cut off. |
May 6-7 |
Battle of the WildernessThe regiment lost 1 officer and 17 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded, 1 officer and 20 enlisted men wounded, and 24 enlisted men captured |
May 7 | Guarded Germania Ford, Brock Road and the Furnaces |
May 7-8 |
Todd’s Tavern |
May 8-18 |
Battle of Spotsylvania Court HouseThe regiment guarded Germania Plank Road and skirmished along the Po River. It lost 1 officer and 5 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded, 4 enlisted men wounded, and 6 men captured. |
May 20 | Downer’s Bridge and Milford Station |
May 21 | Mattapony River and Bowling Green |
May 22-26 |
North AnnaThe regiment lost 2 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded, 1 officer and 12 enlisted men wounded, and 10 enlisted men captured |
May 25 | Mt. Carmel Church |
May 26-28 | On line of the Pamunky |
May 28-31 |
Totopotomoy |
May 29 | Hanover Court House |
May 30 | Mechump’s Creek |
May 31 | Signal Hill |
June 1 | Ashland Station |
June 1-12 |
Cold HarborThe 5th New York Cavalry Regiment lost 2 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded, 2 officers and 18 enlisted men wounded, Major Amos White was wounded and caprtured and 2 other officers and 18 enlisted men captured. Colonel John Hammond was hit in the leg, but his saber scabbard kept the injury – which would bother him the rest of his life – from being a wound, and he remained on the field. |
June 2 | Gaines’ Mill, Totopotomoy and Salem Church |
June 3 | Haw’s Shop |
June 10 | Old Church |
June 11 | Shady Grove and Bethesda Church |
June 12 | Riddell’s Shop and Long Bridge |
June 13 | White Oak Swamp |
June 14 | Malvern Hill |
June 15 |
Smith’s Store near St. Mary’s ChurchThe regiment lost 2 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded, 8 wounded, and 4 captured |
June 19 | White House Landing |
June 22-30 |
Wilson’s Raid on South Side & Danville RailroadThe raid was intended to cut Confederate supply lines to Petersburg, but faltered when they failed to capture a bridge on the Stanton River near Roanoke Station and were forced to turn back. |
June 23 |
Black and white and Nottaway Court House |
June 24 |
Staunton Bridge |
June 25 |
Roanoke Bridge |
June 28 |
Sappony Church or Stony CreekThe raiders were attacked by Hampton’s Confederate Cavalry, then W.H.F. Lee’s pursuing cavalry caught up. Kautz and Wilson fell back in an attempt to reach Reames station, where they hoped Union forces would be waiting. |
June 29 |
Ream’s StationThe Union raiders found no Union troops at Reames Station, but instead a large Confederate force blocking their way. In a desperate attempt to escape, the raiders spiked their artillery, burned supply wagons, and left the ambulances filled with wounded to be captured. A Confederate attack caused the 5th New York Cavalry, 2nd Ohio Cavalry, and Kautz’s brigade to become separated from the main body of Wilson’s division, and they scattered across country in the direction of Petersburg. Some men did not reach the safety of the Union lines until July 8. During the entire raid the regiment lost 1 officer and 3 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded, 7 enlisted men wounded, and 3 officers and 91 enlisted men captured. Around 100 men had lost their horses and were sent to the Dismounted Camp in the Washington Defenses. |
June 30 | The main body of the regiment was before Petersburg |
July 3 | Lieutenant Colonel John Hammond was promoted to colonel, and Major William P. Bacon to lieutenant colonel |
July 6-7 | Maryland Heights (detachment sent to Dismounted Camp) |
July 10 | Rockville, Maryland (detachment at Dismounted Camp) |
July 12 | Tell Gate (detachment at Dismounted Camp) |
July 15 | Poolesville (detachment at Dismounted Camp) |
July 18 | Snicker’s Ferry (detachment at Dismounted Camp) |
July 24 | Kernstown (detachment at Dismounted Camp) |
August 12- November 28 |
Sheridan’s Shenandoah Valley CampaignThe 5th New York Cavalry was ordered to the Shenandoah Valley. Attached to Army of the Shenandoah, Middle Military Division, Cavalry Corps. |
August 13 | Moved through Leesburg and Snicker’s Gap and reached Sheridan’s Army near Opequon Creek just outside Winchester, a distance of 75 miles in less than 24 hours. |
August 17 | At Winchester and Halltown |
August 19 | Opequan |
August 21 |
Summit PointThe regiment lost 3 enlisted men wounded and 5 captured |
August 22 | Charlestown |
August 23 | Duffield Station |
August 25 |
Near KearneysvilleThe regiment lost 1 officer and 4 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded and 3 officers and 11 enlisted men wounded |
August 30 | Colonel Hammond mustered out at the end of his term of service. |
September 2-4 | Berryville |
September 3 |
Duffield Station, DarkenvilleThe regiment lost 1 enlisted man killed, 1 wounded, and 1 officer captured |
September 7 | Opequan |
September 12 | Lieutenant Colonel Bacon resigned. Major Abram Krom took command of the regiment. Major Amos White was released from Libby Prison. |
September 13 | Abraham’s Creek near Winchester |
September 15 | Opequan. Major Amos White was promoted to lieutenant colonel, but would not rejoin the regiment until December. Captain Theodore Boice was promoted to major. |
September 17 | Opequan |
September 19 |
Third Battle of Winchester (Battle of Opequon)The 5th New York Cavalry Regiment made five charges in the battle. It lost 2 enlisted men killed, 1 officer and 12 enlisted men wounded, and 1 officer and 1 enlisted man captured. Captain Charles J. Farley of Company C lost his leg. The regiment would pursue the fleeing Confederates for the next few days. |
September 20 | Near Cedarville and Crooked Run |
September 21 | Front Royal Pike and Fisher’s Hill |
September 22 | Milford |
September 23-24 | New Market |
September 24 | Mt. Crawford |
September 26 | Waynesboro |
September 26-27 | Port Republic |
September 27 |
Mr. MeridianThe regiment lost 1 enlisted man killed, 5 wounded and 9 captured |
September 29 |
Waynesboro and Railroad BridgeThe regiment lost 3 enlisted men captured |
October 2 | Bridgewater |
October 6 |
Brock’s GapThe regiment lost 2 enlisted men captured |
October 7 |
Forestville, Near Columbia FurnaceThe regiment lost 1 enlisted man killed, 4 wunded and 4 captured |
October 8-9 |
Tom’s Brook, “Woodstock Races”The Union cavalry turned on the overly aggressive Confederate horsemen who were pressing closely as the Federals withdrew down the Valley, burning anything that would be useful to the Confederacy. The Confederates withdrew so rapidly the day became known as the “Woodstock Races.” Headquarters wagons, supply wagons, ambulances, and 11 pieces of artillery were captured, and 350 Confederates became casualties as opposed to a total of only 50 Federals. The regiment itself lost 4 enisted men wounded and 1 captured. |
October 13 |
Back Road Cedar CreekThe regiment lost 2 enlisted men wounded |
October 14 | Lebanon Church |
October 18 |
Cedar RunThe regiment lost 2 enlisted men wounded and 4 captured |
October 19 |
Battle of Cedar CreekThe regiment lost 2 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded and 1 man wounded. After the afternoon collapse of Early’s Army of the Valley and during the Union pursuit the regiment captured 22 artillery pieces, 14 caissons, 24 wagons and ambulances, 83 sets of artillery harnesses, 75 sets of wagon harnesses, 98 horses, and 67 mules. Many of these were taken west of Strasburg when the bridge of the Valley Pike over Cedar Spring Run broke down, causing a huge bottleneck and traffic jam for the fleeing Confederates.
Corporal John Walsh of Company D was awarded the Medal of Honor for the “Recapture of the flag of the 15th New Jersey Infantry” that had been lost in the Confedrates’ early morning surprise attack. |
October 21 | Major Krom mustered out. His term of service actually ended October 19, but he stayed on in command until the fighting at Cedar Creek was over. Major Theodore Boice then took over the regiment. |
November 12 |
Newtown and NinevahThe regiment lost 2 enlisted men wounded, 1 mortally and 3 missing |
November 14 | Captain Elmer Barker of Company H was promoted to major. |
November 22 |
Mount JacksonThe regiment lost 4 enlisted men wounded |
December 1 | The 5th New York Cavalry was assigned as General Sheridan’s escort. |
December 14 | The regiment escorted General Sheridan to his headquarters at Winchester and constructed winter quarters. |
December 19-22 | Expedition to Lacy Springs |
December 19 | Major White was promoted to colonel |
December 21 | Lacy Springs |
1865
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January 10 |
WoodstockThe regiment lost 3 enlisted men captured |
January 22 |
EdenburgThe regiment lost 9 enlisted men captured |
January 27 | Lieutenant Colonel Amos White was promoted to colonel and Major Theodore Boice was promoted to lieutenant colonel.
![]() Colonel Amos White |
February 27- March 3 |
Sheridan’s Raid |
February 28 | Captain Henry Merritt of Company K was promoted to major. |
March 2 |
Battle of WaynesboroCapture of the remnants of General Early’s Army of the Valley. Lieutenant Colonel Theodore Boice was in command as Amos White was on furlough. The regiment was detached from Division to escort 1,400 prisoners from Waynesboro to Winchester. ![]() Lieutenant Colonel Theodore Boice |
March 5 |
Mt. Sidney and Lacy SpringsThe regiment lost 2 enlisted men wounded |
March 6 | New Market |
March 7 |
Rude’s HillThe regiment was the rear guard of the column escorting Confederate prisoners north. Rosser’s Confederate cavalry brigade attacked at Rude’s Hill, North of Strasburg in an attempt to free the prisoners. Lieutenant Colonel Theodore Boice led a counterattack that drove them off. He “fired everything in his revolver and unhorsed six Rebel troopers with the butt of his weapon.” Thirty five Confederate prisoners were taken. Rosser’s chief bugler was captured by Bugler John Caitlin of Company A, who kept the Confederate bugle as a souvenir of the war. The 5th New York Cavalry lost 2 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded, 1 man wounded and 3 missing. Sergeant Hiram S. Graves of Company M was killed. These were the last casualties the regiment suffered. |
March 30-31 |
Dinwiddie Court House(detachment with Army of the Potomac as escorts for Generals Sheridan and Custer.) |
April 1 |
Five Forks(detachment with Army of the Potomac) |
April 2 |
Fall of Petersburg(detachment with Army of the Potomac) |
April 3 |
Sweet House Creek(detachment with Army of the Potomac) |
April 6 |
Harper’s Farm(detachment with Army of the Potomac) |
April 8 |
Appomattox Station(detachment with Army of the Potomac) |
April 9 |
Appomattox Court House.Surrender of Lee and his army. (detachment with Army of the Potomac) Private John McEwan of Company L was one of the escorts that accompanied General Lee to the house where the first interview with General Grant prior to the surrender ceremony. |
April – July | Regiment on duty at Headquarters Middle Military Division and in vicinity of Winchester |
Early May | MArched to Lexington to capture former Virginia Governor John Letcher. |
May 29 | Captain Liberty Abbott of Company E was promoted to major |
July 19 | The 5th New York Cavalry Regiment mustered out and was honorably discharged from service under the command of Colonel Amos White, Lieutenant Colonel Theodore Boice and Majors Elmer Barker and Henry Merritt. But the men camped on Hart’s Island as they waited to receive their final pay. |
July 25-26 | The men received their pay and went home. |