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3rd New York
Cavalry
Online Books:
3rd New York Cavalry Soldier
Roster - Annual Report of the Adjutant General of the State of New York For the Year
1893, Volume 1 View the Entire Book
| Regimental History |
| Third New York Cavalry. — Cols., James H. Van Alen, Simon H. Mix,
George W. Lewis; Lieut. -Cols., Simon H. Mix, John Mix, George W. Lewis, Ferris Jacobs,
Jr., Samuel C. Pierce; Majs., John Mix, Charles Fitz Simmons, Ferris Jacobs, Jr., Alonzo
Stearns, Israel H. Putnam, George W. Lewis, George W. Cole, John M. Wilson, Jeptha
Garrard, Newton Hall, John Ebbs. The regiment was named in honor of its first colonel,
James H. Van Alen, who received authority from the war department on July 26, 1861, to
recruit a regiment of cavalry. As fast as organized the several companies left the state
and proceeded to Meridian hill, Washington, where the regiment was organized early in
September, Col. Van Alen assuming command on the 9th. Cos. A, C and H were recruited at
Rochester; B at Syracuse; D at Schoharie, Schenevus, Schaghticoke, Albany, Cobleskill,
Gallupville and Unadilla; E at Delhi, Deposit, Elmira, Margaretville, Middletown and
Walton; F at Medina, Newstead and Newfane; G at Utica, Leyden, Boonville, Lowville and
Watson; I at Syracuse and North Hamburg; K at Elmira, Brockport and Rochester; L at
Cincinnati and Xenia, Ohio. The original Co. M was a New Jersey company, which was
transferred in April, 1862, to the 1st N. J. cavalry and a new company M was raised at
Rochester and Brockport in Sept., 1862, to take its place. The different companies were
mustered into the U. S. service at various periods from May 14 to Sept. 13, 1861, at
Syracuse, Albany, Elmira, Boonville and Cincinnati, Ohio, for three years. Before the
expiration of its term of service in 1864, many of the original members reenlisted and
with the recruits continued in the service. The regiment served in Banks' and Stone's
divisions, Army of the Potomac, until April, 1862, when it was ordered South and served in
the Department of North Carolina and the 18th corps during the remainder of 1862 and all
of 1863. In April, 1864, it was assigned to the 1st brigade, Kautz's cavalry division,
Army of the James, and saw much hard service with that organization during the remainder
of the war. In the operations against Petersburg in May, 1864, the 3d lost a total of 217
killed, wounded and missing; in the raid to the South Side and Danville railroads in June
it met with a loss of 105 killed, wounded and missing; and in the action on the Darbytown
road in October its loss amounted to 52. When Col. Van Alen resigned in April, 1862, he
was succeeded by Col. Simon H. Mix, who developed into one of the most intrepid and
efficient cavalry leaders in the service. He commanded the regiment with distinguished
credit until June 15, 1864, when he fell in action before Petersburg and Lieut.-Col.
George W. Lewis succeeded to the colonelcy. In July, 1865, while stationed at Norfolk,
Va., the regiment was reduced by consolidation to five companies, A, B, C, F and L, and on
July 21 it was united with the 1st mounted rifles to form the 4th provisional regiment
volunteer cavalry (q. v.). During its entire term of service the 3d took part in about 122
engagements, besides many minor affairs. The regiment lost 3 officers and 48 men killed in
action and mortally wounded; 1 officer and 155 men died of disease, accidents, etc.; total
deaths, 207, of whom 38 men died as prisoners. Five officers and 170 men are recorded as
missing. |
Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing
Company, 1908 - Volume 2
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