1st New Hampshire Volunteer Cavalry
Encyclopedia
The 1st New Hampshire Volunteer Cavalry was a cavalry
regiment
that served in the Union Army
during the American Civil War
.
October 24-December 21, 1861 as a battalion
and attached to the 1st New England Cavalry as Companies I, K, L, and M. (For the service of these companies, see the history of the 1st Rhode Island Cavalry
.) The regiment did not reach full strength of twelve companies until July 1864.
The battalion was detached on January 7, 1864 and officially designated 1st New Hampshire Volunteer Cavalry. The regiment was attached to 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac
and Army of the Shenandoah, Middle Military Division, to February 1865. Cavalry, Department of the Shenandoah, to July 1865.
The 1st New Hampshire Cavalry mustered out of service in July 1865.
Cavalry
Cavalry or horsemen were soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback. Cavalry were historically the third oldest and the most mobile of the combat arms...
regiment
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
that served in the Union Army
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
.
Service
Four companies of cavalry were organized in Concord, New HampshireConcord, New Hampshire
The city of Concord is the capital of the state of New Hampshire in the United States. It is also the county seat of Merrimack County. As of the 2010 census, its population was 42,695....
October 24-December 21, 1861 as a battalion
Battalion
A battalion is a military unit of around 300–1,200 soldiers usually consisting of between two and seven companies and typically commanded by either a Lieutenant Colonel or a Colonel...
and attached to the 1st New England Cavalry as Companies I, K, L, and M. (For the service of these companies, see the history of the 1st Rhode Island Cavalry
1st Rhode Island Cavalry Regiment
The 1st Regiment, Rhode Island Cavalry was a cavalry regiment that participated in the American Civil War. They were badly routed at the Battle of Middleburg, a blemish on an otherwise competent combat record.-History:...
.) The regiment did not reach full strength of twelve companies until July 1864.
The battalion was detached on January 7, 1864 and officially designated 1st New Hampshire Volunteer Cavalry. The regiment was attached to 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac
Army of the Potomac
The Army of the Potomac was the major Union Army in the Eastern Theater of the American Civil War.-History:The Army of the Potomac was created in 1861, but was then only the size of a corps . Its nucleus was called the Army of Northeastern Virginia, under Brig. Gen...
and Army of the Shenandoah, Middle Military Division, to February 1865. Cavalry, Department of the Shenandoah, to July 1865.
The 1st New Hampshire Cavalry mustered out of service in July 1865.
Detailed service
Moved to New Hampshire and on veteran furlough and organizing regiment, February to April 1864. Seven companies organized and ordered to Washington, D.C., April 23, 1864. At Camp Stoneman, Washington, D.C., until May 17, 1864. Moved to Belle Plains, Va. Guarded Aquia Creek and Fredericksburg S. R., and at Belle Plains until June 6, then moved to White House. (A part of the regiment at Hanover Court House and Cold Harbor June 1-12.) Long Bridge June 12. Riddle's Shop and White Oak Swamp June 13. Smith's Store June 15. Wilson's Raid on Southside & Danville Railroad June 22-30. Ream's Station June 22. Nottaway Court House and Black and White Station June 23. Staunton Bridge (or Roanoke Station) June 25. Sappony Church (or Stony Creek) June 28-29. Ream's Station June 29. On picket duty at Light House Point and City Point June 30-August 8. Sheridan's Shenandoah Valley Campaign August to December. Winchester August 17. Summit Station August 20-21. Berryville August 21. Kearneysville August 25. Darkesville September 3. Near Brucetown and Winchester September 7. Abram's Creek September 13. Battle of Opequan, Winchester, September 19. Near Cedarville September 20. Front Royal September 21. Fisher's Hill September 22. Milford September 22. Waynesboro September 29 and October 2. Mt. Crawford October 2. Near Columbia Furnace October 7. Tom's Brook ("Woodstock Races") October 8-9. Battle of Cedar Creek October 19. Near Kernstown November 10. Newtown and Cedar Creek November 12. Rude's Hill, near Mr. Jackson, November 22. Expedition from Kernstown to Lacy Springs December 19-22. Lacy Springs December 20-21. Duty at Winchester until February 1865. Sheridan's Raid into Virginia February 27-March 3. Waynesboro March 2. Regiment led charge on enemy's works, capturing with the sabre 1,500 prisoners, all their artillery and the flag of every regiment engaged. Detached from division, to guard prisoners back to Winchester, Mt. Jackson March 4. Mt. Sidney March 5. Lacy Springs March 5. New Market March 6. Duty at and in the vicinity of Winchester, and in the Department of the Shenandoah, also at Poolesville, Md., July 1865. Five companies completed organization July 1864, and ordered to Washington. D.C. Guard and patrol duty and operations against Mosby's guerrillas in the Defenses of Washington March 1865. Joined regiment in the Shenandoah Valley.Casualties
The regiment lost a total of 147 men during service; 5 officers and 28 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded, 2 officers and 112 enlisted men died of disease.See also
- List of New Hampshire Civil War units
- New Hampshire in the American Civil War