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
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

Colonel Othneil De Forest

August 15
The regiment mustered in by company

Company 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.

  • Company I was recruited at Princeton,  Brooklyn, Newburgh, and Passaic and Plainfield, New Jersey
  • Company K was recruited from the Bliss Cavalry in New York City
  • Company L was recruited at Hudson, Athens and Catskill
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
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 Republic

Company 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 Harrisonburg

The 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 Market

The 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

Woodstock

The regiment lost 1 officer wounded

May 23

Front Royal

Companies 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 Newtown

As 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

Winchester

The 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

Sperryville

The regiment lost 1 enlisted man wounded and 1 captured.

July 12 Near Culpeper Court House
July 15

Orange Court House

The regiment lost 5 enlisted men captured,

July 17

Liberty Mills

The regiment lost 3 enlisted men captured

July 18

Barnett’s Ford

The regiment lost 1 enlisted man wounded and 1 officer and 22 enlisted men captured

August 2

Near Orange Court House

The 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 Mountain

The 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)

Medal of Honor from the Civil War eraPrivate John Tribe of Company G was awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism when he “Voluntarily assisted in the burning and destruction of the bridge under heavy fire from the enemy.”

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

Leesburg

The regiment lost 2 enlisted men captured

October 17

Upperville

The regiment lost 1 enlisted man captured

October 18

Thoroughfare Gap and Haymarket

The regiment lost 2 enlisted men wounded

November 1 Major Gardner resigned.
November 5 New Baltimore and Cedar Hill
November 8

Hopewell Gap

The 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

Aldie

Captain 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

Lieutenant Colonel Abram Krom

November 30 Snicker’s Gap and Berryville
December 18
Aldie

The regiment lost 1 enlisted man killed and 1 captured

December 31
Cub Run

The regiment lost 2 enlisted men captured

1863
January 5
Frying Pan and Cub Run

The regiment lost 1 enlisted man wounded and 11 captured

January 26
Middleburg

The 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 Baltimore

The regiment lost 4 enlisted men captured

February 10
Warrenton

The regiment lost 2 enlisted men captured

March 4
Aldie

The regiment lost 1 enlisted man wpunded and 3 captured

March 9

Fairfax Court House Raid

Confederate 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 Chantilly

The 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 Plains

The regiment lost 1 enlisted man captured

May 3

Warrenton Junction

A 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

Colonel John Hammond

May 4 Flemming and Shannon Cross Roads
May 8

Near Fairfax Court House

The regiment lost 1 enlisted man captured

May 14

Marsteller’s Place

The regiment lost 3 enlisted men wounded.

May 30

Greenwich

The regiment lost 3 enlisted men killed, 1 officer and 6 enlisted men wounded, and 3 enlisted men captured

June 1

Snicker’s Gap

Major 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, Pennsylvania

The 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.

Medal of Honor from the Civil War eraPrivate Thomas Burke of Company A was awarded the Medal of Honor for capturing the battle flag of the 13th Virginia Cavalry Regiment after capturing and disarming two Confederates.

July 2

Battle of Hunterstown

The regiment attacked Stuart’s Cavalry at Hunterstown, and afterwards made a flank movement to Gettysburg.

July 3

Battle of Gettysburg

The 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

Boonsboro

The 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 Ford

The 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 Ford

The regiment lost 1 enlisted man wounded

September 21 Madison Court House
September 21-23

Reconnaissance across the Rapidan

The 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 Culpeper

The 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

Stevensburg

The regiment lost 1 enlisted man mortally wounded, 4 wounded, and 17 captured

November 18 Germania Ford
November 26-December 2

Mine Run Campaign

The regiment lost 1 enlisted man wounded

November 26 Morton’s Ford
November 26-27

Raccoon Ford

Medal of Honor from the Civil War eraPrivate Loron F. Packard of Company G was awarded the Medal of Honor. “After his command had retreated, this soldier, voluntarily and alone, returned to the assistance of a comrade and rescued him from the hands of three armed Confederates.”

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
January 19

Ely’s Ford

The regiment lost 1 enlisted man killed, 2 wounded and 2 captured

January 22

Ely’s Ford

The 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 Richmond

A 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 Ford

The regiment lost 1 enlisted man killed, 1 mortally wounded, 1 wounded, and 5 captured

March 8 Field’s Ford
March 11

Southard’s Cross Roads

The 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 Store

The 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 Wilderness

The 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 House

The 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 Anna

The 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 Harbor

The 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 Church

The 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 Railroad

The 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 Creek

The 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 Station

The 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 Campaign

The 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 Point

The regiment lost 3 enlisted men wounded and 5 captured

August 22 Charlestown
August 23 Duffield Station
August 25

Near Kearneysville

The 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, Darkenville

The 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. Meridian

The regiment lost 1 enlisted man killed, 5 wounded and 9 captured

September 29

Waynesboro and Railroad Bridge

The regiment lost 3 enlisted men captured

October 2 Bridgewater
October 6

Brock’s Gap

The regiment lost 2 enlisted men captured

October 7

Forestville, Near Columbia Furnace

The 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 Creek

The regiment lost 2 enlisted men wounded

October 14 Lebanon Church
October 18

Cedar Run

The regiment lost 2 enlisted men wounded and 4 captured

October 19

Battle of Cedar Creek

The 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.

Medal of Honor from the Civil War eraQuartermaster Sergeant David H. Scofield was awarded the Medal of Honor for the “Capture of flag of 13th Virginia Infantry.

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 Ninevah

The 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 Jackson

The 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
January 10
Woodstock

The regiment lost 3 enlisted men captured

January 22
Edenburg

The 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

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 Waynesboro

Capture 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 Springs

The regiment lost 2 enlisted men wounded

March 6 New Market
March 7

Rude’s Hill 

The 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.