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162nd
Pennsylvania Regiment, 17th PA Cavalry
Online Books
162nd
Pennsylvania Regiment, 17th PA Cavalry Soldier Roster - History of Pennsylvania
Volunteers, 1861-5, Volume 4 by Samuel P Bates, 1869
View Entire Book
| Regimental History |
| Seventeenth Cavalry, — Cols., Josiah H. Kellogg, J. Q.
Anderson; Lieut. -Cols., John B. McAllister, J. Q. Anderson, Coe Durland;
Majs., David B. Hartranft, Coe Durland, Reuben R. Reinhold, J. Q.
Anderson, Weidner H. Spera, Luther B. Kurtz, William Thompson. The 17th
cavalry, or the 162nd regiment, was one of the three cavalry regiments
furnished by the state under the president's call of July 2, 1862. It
was recruited from the state at large, rendezvoused at Camp Simmons,
Harrisburg, and was mustered into the U. S. service during Sept., Oct.
and Nov., 1862, for three years. Col. Kellogg had been a captain in the
1st U. S. cavalry; a few of the officers and men were Mexican war
veterans; but most of the members were devoid of military experience. On
Nov. 25, 1862, it left the state for Washington and a few days later was
ordered to the front. It first encountered the enemy at Occoquan, Va.,
where it skirmished with Hampton's cavalry, and later had a brush with
Stuart's cavalry at Dumfries. The 17th was assigned to the 2nd brigade,
Col. Devin, 1st division, Gen. Pleasonton, cavalry corps, serving in
this brigade and division throughout its term. This brigade furnished
the only cavalry present at the battle of Chancellorsville, where Cos. C
and I were detailed for escort duty with Gen. Meade and the rest of the
regiment assisted in staying the mad onset of Stonewall Jackson's men
when the 11th corps was routed. It was highly complimented for its
coolness by Gen. Pleasonton in a general order. Next it was engaged at
Beverly ford with the enemy's cavalry, and again met him at Upperville.
Gen. Buford, in command of the division, initiated the battle of
Gettysburg on July 1, and was able to hold Hill in check until the
forces of Reynolds and Howard reached the field. During the rest of the
battle the 17th was employed in preventing flanking movements and in
guarding communications with the army's base. In the pursuit after the
battle it was engaged at Boonsboro and skirmished daily thereafter until
the enemy escaped across the river. The regiment was almost incessantly
active during the indecisive fall campaigns, being often engaged and
bearing its full share of the toils and losses until it finally went
into winter quarters at Culpeper. Through the winter it picketed a long
line towards James City, and toward the close of Feb., 1864, a detail of
200 men under Capt. Spera, joined in Kilpatrick's raid to Richmond. On
the opening of the spring campaign in 1864 it was engaged throughout May
6, on the left of the line at "the Furnace," and on the next two days
was heavily engaged on the Spottsylvania road, losing 14 killed and
wounded. It then joined in Sheridan's cavalry raid toward Richmond,
being active at Beaver Dam Station, Ground Squirrel Church, Yellow
tavern and Meadow bridge. Rejoining the army on May 25 it was given but
one day's rest, when it was engaged at New Castle ferry on the Pamunkey
river, driving the enemy, and the next day skirmished at Hanoverton. It
was engaged at Old Church on the 30th, losing a number of men. At Cold
Harbor the command fought dismounted, losing 22 killed and wounded, and
shortly after, when Sheridan led the cavalry towards Lynchburg, it was
hotly engaged near Trevilian Station, losing 5 killed, 19 wounded and 2
missing. It lost at White House, some ten days later, 5 killed and 12
wounded, and at Jones' bridge and Charles City Court House it again met
with some loss. Late in July it was heavily engaged at Deep Bottom. In
August it joined Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley and was engaged at
Sulphur Springs bridge, White Post, Crooked run, Front Royal, and then
assisted in driving the enemy's infantry at Kearneysville and
Shepherdstown. Three weeks of constant skirmishing followed, in which
the 17th was active at White Post, Berryville and Bunker Hill. At the
battle of Opequan it led the charge which drove the enemy towards
Winchester. After the battle the regiment reported to Col. Edwards, post
commander at Winchester, and was employed in keeping open communication
with the base of supplies. On Oct. 19 a detachment of the regiment under
Maj. Spera rode with Sheridan during his famous dash from Winchester to
the battlefield at Cedar creek and shared in the great battle of that
day. The command was then active at White's ford and Jack's shop, in
December and then returned to the vicinity of Winchester, where it went
into permanent winter quarters. It shared in Sheridan's grand raid in
the rear of Richmond in Feb. and March, 1865, which was one of the most
arduous and trying campaigns of the whole war. Rejoining the army before
Petersburg on March 26, it led the advance during the final campaign and
was almost incessantly engaged until April 6, when Gen. Ewell, with one
wing of the Confederate army was captured. The cavalry now maintained a
running fight with the enemy until the final surrender at Appomattox
Court House, the 17th maintaining its fine reputation as hard fighters
until the end. After a short period of rest it marched to the vicinity
of Washington and was mustered out at Cloud's mills, Va., June 16, 1865.
A small remnant of the regiment was consolidated with the 1st and 6th
Pa. cavalry on June 17, 1865, and designated the 2nd Pa. provisional
cavalry. It was mustered out with that organization, Aug. 7, 1865, at
Louisville, Ky. In parting with the regiment, Gen. Devin said: "In five
successive campaigns, and in over three score engagements, you have
nobly sustained your part. Of the many gallant regiments from your state
none has a brighter record, none has more freely shed its blood on every
battlefield from Gettysburg to Appomattox. Your gallant deeds will be
ever fresh in the memory of your comrades of the Iron Brigade and the
First Division. Soldiers, Farewell." |
Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing
Company, 1908 - Volume 1
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