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163rd
Pennsylvania Regiment, 18th PA Cavalry
Online Books
163rd
Pennsylvania Regiment, 18th PA Cavalry Soldier Roster - History of Pennsylvania
Volunteers, 1861-5, Volume 4 by Samuel P Bates, 1869
View Entire Book
| Regimental History |
| Eighteenth Cavalry.— Cols., Timothy M. Bryan, Jr., T.
F. Rodenbough; Lieut. -Cols., James Gowan, William P. Brinton, John W.
Phillips; Majs., Joseph Gilmore, William B. Darlington, Henry B. Van
Voorhis, John W. Phillips, William H. Page, John Britton. The 18th
cavalry, the 163d Pa. regiment, was recruited from the state at large,
rendezvoused at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, and was mustered into the U. S.
service from Oct., 1862, to Feb., 1863, for three years. When only
partially organized and equipped, it moved from Harrisburg to
Bladensburg, Md., and on Jan. 1, 1863, it moved to near the head of Long
bridge, Va. ; about the middle of the month to Germantown on the Little
River turnpike, where early in February it was joined by Cos. L and M,
hitherto wanting, and was fully organized. It was at first brigaded with
the 5th N. Y. and 1st Vt. cavalry, under command of Col. Wyndham, and
early in the spring was assigned to Gen. Custer's Michigan brigade of
Brig.-Gen. Stahel's division. After five months' service in this
locality, covering the defenses of Washington and guarding the gaps of
the Blue ridge it moved with its division to Middletown, and became a
part of the 3d division, cavalry corps, Army of the Potomac, under Gen.
Kilpatrick, who relieved Gen. Stahel. Marching through Littlestown and
Hanover, the regiment formed the rear-guard, being attacked by Stuart's
force at Hanover. A sharp skirmish ensued which accounted for the
absence of the Confederate cavalry from Gettysburg, where it was so
greatly needed. On July 3 the 18th was closely engaged at Gettysburg
throughout the entire day and in the evening the 1st brigade charged
under the leadership of Col. Farnsworth, who was killed. In the pursuit
which followed the cavalry overtook and captured 1,000 prisoners and 2
pieces of artillery at Monterey Springs. At Hagerstown the enemy was
found in force and in a charge made by Cos. L and M to test the strength
of the opposing forces, a large proportion of the two companies was
killed or captured. In continuing the pursuit engagements followed at
Brandy Station and Culpeper in September, at Brandy Station in October,
and at Buckland mills and New Baltimore in November. Winter quarters
were established early in December at Stevensburg. In Feb., 1864, the
regiment shared in the raid upon Richmond under Gen. Kilpatrick and at
the beginning of the Wilderness campaign had a narrow escape from
capture. After a charge at Spottsylvania on May 7 the cavalry under Gen.
Sheridan moved toward Richmond and rejoined the main body of the army at
the South Anna. Picket and scouting duties followed, with engagements at
St. Mary's Church, Yellow House, and in the Shenandoah valley, where the
regiment was ordered early in August. At Fisher's hill, Winchester and
Cedar creek the 18th fought valiantly and in November went into winter
quarters at Harper's Ferry. It participated in the raid on Waynesboro
and was detailed to guard the prisoners to Winchester. Here it remained
until May, 1865, when it moved to Cumberland, Md., where Co. E was
mustered out on June 14 and the remainder of the regiment consolidated
on June 24 with the 22nd Pa. cavalry to form the 3d provisional cavalry,
which was stationed at Clarksburg, West Virginia, until mustered out on
Oct. 31, 1865. |
Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing
Company, 1908 - Volume 1
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