1864

General Grant was placed in command of the armies of the United States on March 12, and he left General Meade in command of the Army of the Potomac. General Pleasanton was relieved from command of the cavalry corps because of some differences with General Meade. He was replaced by General Philip H. Sheridan, who Grant had brought from the west. The First Cavalry Division was now commanded by General Torbert, who soon became ill and was replaced by General Merritt (again) from the Reserve Brigade of which the Second Cavalry was a part.

Sheridan noticed that the horses of the cavalry were in a run-down condition because they were used on constant picket duty on a line of about sixty miles. He recommended to Meade that his corps be relieved from this duty and concentrated in order to destroy the enemy cavalry. Meade did not see how the front and flanks of the army could be protected under these conditions but he relieved most of the horsemen from picket duty.

On May 4, the Army of the Potomac moved against Lee by the left flank in order to force him to abandon his trenches along Mine Run. Sheridan’s 10,000 cavalry was divided so that Gregg’s and Wilson’s divisions preceded the Second and Fifth Corps, while Torbert’s division remained in the rear. The Second Cavalry once again was responsible for protecting the logistical trains

The regiment crossed Ely’s Ford with the Army and moved toward Gordaonsville. From now until the 7^th, it was guarding the trains as the Army moved south. On this date the army advanced toward Spottsylvania Court House, while the trains moved to Piney Branch Church, which was found occupied by the enemy. The reserve Brigade was placed on Spottsylvania Road and was supported on its left by Gregg’s division. After some severe fighting, especially in Merritt’s front, the Confederates gave way and were pursued nearly to Spottyslvania Court House.

May 8, the regiment came in contact with a large force. Severe fighting followed. The men exhausted their rifle ammunition without being able to renew the supply. From this time until relieved by the Fifth Corps (about 0800 on May 9), they amused themselves by firing at the Rebels with their pistols.

After considerable protest as to the way Meade was using his cavalry, Sheridan was given permission to break loose from the army and defeat Stuart. May 9, after assembling at Aldrich’s, Sheridan started his cavalry corps on the raid around Richmond. With 10,000 cavalrymen in a column thirteen miles long, he succeeded in passing around Lee’s army without being discovered. Sometime later in the day he was overtaken by Stuart’s cavalry, who attacked the rear guard which was Davies’ brigade. Refusing to stop the main body for this combat, Sheridan moved on. Encamped along the North Anna, the Second Cavalry as part of Merritt’s division was on the south side of the river and the other two divisions were camped on the north. Soon after halting here Custer’s brigade was detached to the railroad a short distance ahead and proceeded to tear up that line for several miles, destroyed an enormous amount of property and released 375 Union prisoners.

At daybreak on the 10^th, the enemy began shelling the troops in camp, while the Second and Third Divisions crossed the river. Merritt’s Division protected the crossing and then became the rear guard for the day. When the Confederates again attacked the rear guard, they used the same tactics as before. The Second Cavalry, as part of Merritt’s rear guard, took part in a spirited affair at Beaver Dam Station. Since the commander knew that Sheridan intended to push on, he soon broke off the fight and continued with the main column. Later Stuart detached Fitzhugh Lee’s division from the Confederate Cavalry, and by a forced march reached a point in front of the Union Cavalry on the road to Richmond. Sheridan continued his march to the South Anna where he went into camp at Ground Squirrel Bridge. He sent out Davies’ brigade that evening to destroy the railroad for several miles near Ashland Station.

The morning of the 11^th was inaugurated by an artillery bombardment from the Confederates. Sheridan pushed on south until he arrived at Glen Allen station on the Fredricksburg railroad, here he destroyed several miles of track. At this time word came that the Confederate Cavalry was concentrated at Yellow Tavern between Sheridan’s force and Richmond. The Second Cavalry, as part of the Reserve Brigade under Colonel Gibbs, met the enemy first near the intersection of Telegraph Road and Brook Turnpike, six miles from Richmond. They dismounted, sent their horses to the rear, and attacked in a most gallant manner. The Second Brigade of this division soon was placed on the right and the combined attack caused Merritt to gain possession of the Brook Road leading to Richmond. The Confederates were dismounted behind temporary breastworks on partly wooded hills and the line threatened Sheridan’s flank if he advanced. In this attack the Confederates fought with desperation. Out of an entire regiment, the Fifth Virginia, only three officers were not killed of wounded. The First Brigade of the division under Custer came up and took position on the bluff, which they did most gallantly. Custer then made a mounted chard against the enemy artillery which was unsuccessful. It was during this charge that General J. E. B. Stuart of the Confederate force, while rallying his men, received his mortal wound.

Meantime, Greg’s division had been engaged all day with Gordon’s brigade during the time Gregg’s troopers were destroying the railroad toward Ground Squirrel Bridge. As Gregg withdrew in the direction of Yellow Tavern, his force was soon united with Sheridan, which left Gordon fighting the rear of the Union force. The federals finally, in a spirited charge, defeated Gordon’s brigade, driving it to the rear, and during this last attack the Confederate commander was killed. Gibb’s (which included the Second) and Devin’s now forced the enemy’s right and center and the battle was won. The road was now open to Richmond.

After making arrangements concerning the prisoners and wounded, Sheridan moved through the outer defenses of Richmond about midnight. Instead of attacking the city, he turned to the left and took the Mechanicsville road with the intention of supporting butler, who was supposed to be coming up the James River from the south end of the peninsula. At daylight of the 12^th, the Confederates attacked from the inner works of the city only a short distance away and this made it impossible for the Federals to follow the Chickahominy River on the south side. At this juncture Sheridan decided to cross the river to the north side on the Meadow Bridge. He sent Merritt’s division to the rear to repair the bridge, but found that Fitzhugh Lee’s division was already on the north side of the river to dispute the crossing. While Merritt’s men were busy engaging in repair work in the face of great difficulties, the Confederates came out from Richmond and attacked the other two divisions. Sheridan was undoubtedly in a precarious position at this time, but soon the First division force a crossing below and drove back the Confederates far enough to permit the men to work on the bridge. It was soon repaired and they began to cross, driving the Rebels before them. It was a well-laid plan to destroy the Union force between the bridge and the defenses of Richmond, but it failed because of the good judgment of Sheridan and the cool conduct of the men.

The command new moved to Mechanicsville unmolested by the enemy. After leaving this place, the Reserve Brigade was attacked vigorously by the Confederate cavalry but the attack was repulsed and the whole force camped for the night at Gain’s Mill. In the fighting since the 11^th the corps lost four officers killed and 167 men killed wounded or missing. On the 14^th, the command reached General Butler’s headquarters, a point on the James River opposite Bermuda Hundred, and went into camp.

On the evening of May 17 Sheridan broke camp and after an all-night march reached Jone’s Bridge on the route back to Grant’s army. He rested here two hours and pushed on during the 18^th to Baltimore Cross Roads, where he camped. Gregg and Wilson were sent with the Second and Third Divisions to Cold Harbor to demonstrate toward Richmond. Custer’s brigade was sent to Hanover Court House to destroy the railroad. Merritt’s division was sent to work repairing the bridge over the Pamunkey at White House. With only local materials available the First Division work on the bridge for nearly 24 hours. This division crossed the Pamunkey on the evening of the 22^nd and the other two divisions, having returned, crossed the next morning. Marching up the Mattapony River until the 24^th, Sheridan received word that the main army was at Chesterfield Station. The next day he made contact with it and went into camp on Polecat Creek.

This raid demonstrated the self reliance of the cavalry in the enemy’s country. A large mounted force operated in the rear of Lee’s army, greatly hampering its efficient functioning, destroying railroads and millions of dollars worth of property. In addition, the Confederate Cavalry was eliminated to a large extent as an important factor in the war. The casualties were comparatively small, being 625 altogether.

Torbert took command of the First Cavalry Division again on May 26^th. His and Gregg’s divisions now covered the crossing of the Army of the Potomac over the Pumunkey River. They succeeded in crossing at Hanovertown Ford and pushed rapidly ahead on May 27. The First Division, under Torbert, soon came in contact with Gordon’s Brigade of Confederate Cavalry and drove it toward Hanover Court House. Behind the screen of these tow divisions the Army of the Potomac crossed the river unimpeded on May 26^th. The cavalry corps was confronted at Hawe’s Shop by Hampton’s and Fitzhugh Lee’s cavalry divisions and Butler’s cavalry Brigade. The fight continued all day but toward evening Custer’s Brigade made a breach in the Confederate works and the whole Union line then surged forward and carried the position. The fighting was desperate at this time, the Reserve Brigade alone losing over 300 officers and men in the engagement.

On May 30 Sheridan moved to Old Church, where he was attacked severely that afternoon at Maradequin Creek. The enemy was driven within one mile of Cold Harbor, where the cavalry corps went into camp that night in line of battle. With reference to the fighting on this day, General Torbert says that at one time in the dismounted fight te Second Cavalry drove the enemy before them with their pistols after their carbine ammunition had given out.

In the fighting on May 31 General Merritt’s brigade, which included the Second Cavalry, drove the enemy before them for one and one half miles until the Rebels took refuge behind Breastworks. Custer’s and Devon’s brigades of this division then connected on the left and the Reserve Brigade moved around the enemy left, causing him to abandon his breastworks. After driving the Confederates three-quarters of a mile beyond Cold Harbor, Torbert’s division took up a position along the Bottom’s Bridge and Bethesda Church roads. The enemy infantry was beginning to realize the importance of this location and made preparations to attack the next day in force. Because the First Division was three miles from Gregg’s division and about nine miles from the main army, Sheridan issued orders for Torbert to withdraw to the position of the night before. This was almost accomplished when word was received from Meade to hold Cold Harbor at all hazards. The command was counter-marched and reoccupied the old breastworks before daylight. About 0600, June 1, the Confederate infantry made a desperate assault on the reserve brigade but were handsomely repulsed by Merritt’s men. After a second unsuccessful assault, the enemy made no further attempt until the cavalry was relieved by the Sixth Corps at 1000. Sheridan’s force then marched to Prospect Church and went into camp.

After the unsuccessful attempt upon the Confederate works at Cold Harbor, Grant decided to move again by the left flank. In order to draw off the enemy Cavalry during this delicate maneuver, Sheridan received instructions June 6 to proceed with the First and Second Cavalry Divisions and break up the Virginia Central Railroad in the direction of Charlottesville.

Starting June 7, the command crossed the Pamunkey River at New Castle, marched to Pole Cat Station on the Mattapony River, thence through Young’s Mill, and crossing the North Anna River at Carpenters Ford camped a few miles from Trevillion Station on the 10^th. Just before going into camp a small detachment of the enemy attacked the head of the column. This was the first time the corps had come in contact with the Confederates since leaving the main army.

Merritt’s brigade led the march toward Trevillion Station on June 11 and almost immediately came in contact with the enemy. Custer’s Brigade of the same division took a wood road and was soon behind the Confederate divisions of Fitzhugh Lee and Hampton and in possession of Trevillion Station. Sheridan now pushed the attack with the Reserve Brigade, the Second Brigade, and one Brigade of the Second Division. In this attack Captain Rodenbough, commanding the Second Cavalry, was severely wounded. He was later decorated with the Congressional Medal of Honor for handling the regiment with such valor and skill. They drove Hampton’s Confederate cavalry back up to Custer, who captured many men and scattered the remainder. In the meantime, Gregg’s division was busily engaged with Fitzhugh Lee’s cavalry. In this phase of the battle the confederates were driven toward Louisa Court House. Two Rebel divisions were thus driven apart but rejoined each other that night at Gordonsville. In this fighting the Reserve Brigade captured 150 officers and men, and their own losses were only 85 killed, wounded or captured.

On June 12 both divisions destroyed about five miles of the railroad in the vicinity of Trevillion Station. General Torbert was ordered with his division and one brigade of the Second Division to take a reconnaissance that afternoon toward Gordonsville. The enemy was found strongly entrenched about two and one-half miles to the west at Mallory’s Cross Roads. Custer’s brigade was placed on the road and the Reserve Brigade, under Merritt, was placed to the right. After a general advance o the line, the Confederates were driven back to a position behind the railroad embankment. Soon the enemy was re-enforced with infantry from Gordonsville, and Torbert was unable to drive him from this position. At night the troops rejoined the main command at Trevillion Station.

The Cavalry was ferried over the James River at the end of June and joined Grant’s army south of Petersburg. Sheridan received orders to move at once with the First and Second Cavalry Divisions to the relief of Wilson who, with the Third Cavalry, was on a raid to destroy the South Side and Danville railroads south of Petersburg. Wilson had been routed at Ream’s Station, but before Sheridan reached him his command returned to the Federal Lines.

General Grant decided to send the Second Corps, under Hancock, and the First and Second Cavalry Divisions and Kautz’s cavalry division from the Army of the James, to the north side of the James River to make a demonstration toward Richmond. The object of this expedition was to draw as much as possible of Lee’s army across the river during the time the mine was to be exploded at Petersburg. Soon after crossing the river, July 26, the cavalry moved to the right of the Second Corps at Deep Bottom. The Second Cavalry soon found the enemy out guards in font of Ruffin’s house on the New Market road. The First Cavalry Division now occupied the high ground in front of the house and the Second Division was placed on its right. Soon thereafter the enemy attacked and pushed the Union line back beyond the crest of the hill. Sheridan then made a spirited counter attack and regained the original position. On the 28^th the Second Corps was moved back near the bridge in order to be in a position to cross the river when the mine was ready to be exploded at Petersburg. After dark on the 29^th the Second Corps was hastily withdrawn to the south side of the river. This left Sheridan’s command in such a position that he might have been annihilated if the enemy had attacked. However, he crossed his corps early on the 30^th without molestation and placed it on the left of the army at Petersburg. The mission was successful since Lee moved large bodies of troops to the north side of the James River to meet the attack of this force. The failure of the mine explosion precluded any use of the cavalry for the purpose intended at this time. The casualties in the three divisions of cavalry corps under Sheridan for May 4 to July 30 were 4,883 of whom 520 killed, 2,384 wounded and 1,977 missing.

General Sheridan was relieved from command of the Cavalry Corps of the Army of the Potomac on August 1, and placed in command of the Army of the Shenandoah. This was done by Grant as a result of the panic created by Early’s two invasions of the north, during one of which the cavalry under McCausland burned the town of Chambersburg, PA. It was decided not only to crush Early’s command, but to lay waste the fertile valley of the Shenandoah so that the Confederates could not use it as a base of supplies.

General Torbert was placed in command of all the cavalry in Sheridan’s army. The cavalry in this sector now consisted of the First Division, under General Merritt, the Third Division under Wilson, and the First and Second West Virginia Division. Merritt’s and Wilson’s divisions were brought form the Army of the Potomac where they formed a part of Sheridan’s cavalry corps. The Second Cavalry was part of the Reserve Brigade of the First Division, in which it had served since the cavalry corps was formed in 1863.

Sheridan started his movement up the Shenandoah Valley August 10^th, preceded by the cavalry. The First Cavalry Division was ordered to travel on the direct road through Berryville and take up a position at White Post. Arriving at Berryville, the Reserve and Second Brigades were ordered to make a reconnaissance to the west toward Winchester as far as Opequan Creek. At the point where the main column made the turn to the right toward Winchester, the regiment ahead failed to leave a guide at the crossroads. When the Second came along, Captain Gordon continued with the regiment on the direct road. Thinking the rest of the command was ahead a short distance , he provided no advance guard in front. Suddenly the regiment was fired upon from a point ndireclty down the road. A quick estimate of the situation told Captaon Gordon what had happened and he put the outfit into a defensive position. Realizing he must follow the rest of the Reserve Brigade, he soon withdrew and after a short counter march found his place in the column. As soon as the regiment reached the main body, firing commenced in the front. This was a sever skirmish in which a brigade of the enemy cavalry was driven back upon Winchester. The command went into camp on the battlefield.

The reconnaissance was continued on August 11 toward Winchester as far as Opequan Creek, the First Brigade, under Custer, going farther. The infantry soon came up and relieved the cavalry, as Sheridan hoped to bring General Early to battle in the vicinity. Merritt now swung to the left and marched toward Front Royal in three columns, the First Brigade on the right, the Reserve Brigade in the center, and the Second Brigade on the left. Near White Post the Second Brigade, under Devin, met the enemy on a ridge posted behind breastworks. After a stubborn fight in which the whole command participated, General Merritt’s division drove the Confederates across the pike and toward Newton. The march was now continued toward the later place, which was on the main macadamized valley Road a few miles to the west. The enemy infantry was soon encountered, but in a sever engagement Merritt was unable to drive them away. From Prisoners it was learned that the Union Cavalry was engaged with the rear of Early’s army which was retreating up the valley. At this time word was received of the destruction of the regimental trains by Moseby’s Guerillas near Berryville, while under escort of recruits. This occasioned much embarrassment to officers of the regiment for many years after the war. As company papers and various returns had not been made out for some time and all but three officers were absent from duty with the regiment, it was difficult to comply with the regulations about property and accounts.

On August 12 Merritt resumed the March up the valley and came upon the enemy rear guard at Middletown as it crossed Cedar Creek. The Cavalry was soon relieved by the infantry and took no further part in the skirmish. The next day the Reserve Brigade went on a reconnaissance up the valley to Strasburg where the enemy was found on Fisher’s Hill. When Sheridan heard of re-enforcements reaching Early, he decided to retreat up the valley to Winchester. During the movement, the First Cavalry Division acted as rear guard. On August 16, the Confederates attacked this force severely at Cedarville with two Brigades of cavalry and one division of infantry. In this engagement the first and Second Brigades held the enemy at bay wit their repeating Carbines until dark when they withdrew, while the Reserve Brigade was kept in reserve.

In compliance with orders from General Sheridan, the First Cavalry Division began the devastation of the Shenandoah Valley on August 17, Between Cedar Creek and Berryville. All livestock was seized and grain and hay destroyed, but houses were spared. General Merritt kept a list of property destroyed at this time and later in the fall, and it was estimated to be a $3,304,672 in value. To offset further those activities of Moseby’s guerillas, the Second Cavalry was ordered on the 19^th to seize all male civilians of age in the vicinity of Berryville. On the 21^st, , the enemy drove in the pickets of the Third Cavalry Division. In this same attack the First Cavalry Division was attacked while slowly falling back to Charlestown, West Virginia.

Merritt’s force now moved to Shepherdstown West Virginia, where it remained until August 25. On this date it made a reconnaissance toward Kearneysville in conjunction with the Third Cavalry Division. Here the enemy’s infantry was met and it drove the Union cavalry back to Shepherdstown. At this place Custer’s brigade became heavily involved with the enemy and was forced to retire across the Potomac. After this action the rest of the division took up a position on the right of the main army.

The First Division moved out again on the 28^th in the directions of Leetown to reconnoiter the enemy. This movement was made in connection with all the cavalry, which marched in parallel columns under General Torbert. Upon approaching Leetown the Second Cavalry was detached under Lieutenant Harrison to go to Smithfield. Hardly had it started when it encountered a superior force of enemy cavalry. General Merritt soon reinforced the regiment and then the combined forces charged the Confederates, driving them beyond Leetown. The division now continued the march but in a few minutes again encountered the enemy cavalry. The first and Second Cavalry drew sabers and charged at once. In the combat that followed there was much hand to hand fighting, but soon the Union troops had the enemy on the run and drove them across the Opequan River at Smithfield. That night the cavalry camped on the heights overlooking this town.

The Confederates threw a strong force of infantry across the river on the morning of August 29, and speedily drove the Union pickets. The First Cavalry Division was quickly driven back for a mile before it was able to form a stable line. In the Reserve Brigade, the Second Cavalry covered the retreat. The enemy soon penetrated between the Sixth Pennsylvania Cavalry and the main skirmish line. To prevent the entire regiment from being captured, the Second Cavalry made three desperate charges to intervene between it and the enemy. This was finally accomplished and the Sixth Pennsylvania withdrew behind the screen formed by the Second. This last regiment was now in rear of the rest of the division and was ordered to withdraw through Custer’s brigade, which had thrown up hasty barricades. Late in the afternoon the Third Division of the Sixth Corps came to support of the cavalry and the latter then began an advance back to the Opequan, which it reached that same evening, crossing the river and establishing pickets on the opposite bank.

After doing picket duty until September 18, the cavalry moved out early on the 18^th as part of the advance of the whole army toward Winchester. In this movement the First Cavalry Division was ordered to cross the Opequan at Seiver’s and Locke’s Fords. Stiff opposition was met at once but the enemy pickets were driven in along the river bank. The Reserve Brigade, now commanded by Colonel Lowell, crossed at Seiver’s Ford. The Second Cavalry, led by Rodenbough, who just returned form the hospital, charged across the creek in the face of a strong enemy fire coming from behind a railroad cut. Here the regiment took several prisoners with very little loss in its own ranks. At the same time Custer forced a crossing with his brigade at Locke’s Ford. The attack was now pushed vigorously against the Confederates under Breckinridge to prevent him from joining with Early at Winchester. There was a general advance of the whole division about 1:30 PM to keep the Rebels engaged in this quarter, but it was found their infantry had withdrawn and had been replaced by cavalry. A charge of the Second Brigade disposed of this force and the division again advanced toward Winchester. A little nearer the town the enemy cavalry was again met and this time driven through their infantry and was not again seriously used in this sector. Coming now upon the enemy infantry, the Second Brigade charged with sabers, throwing them into confusion and capturing 300 prisoners. The Reserve Brigade formed on the left of the Second Brigade and rode in formation within 500 years of the Confederate line of battle. Although reduced to about 600 men, the order was given to capture a nearby battery. The brigade moved forward led by its new commander, Colonel Lowell, and soon came under a withering fire. It passed the guns and came to grips with the enemy in a general melee, driving him from the field. In his first fight after rejoining the regiment, Captain Rodenbough here lost an arm. When the Captain’s horse was shot from under him, First Sergeant Conrad Schmidt, Company K, went to his rescue, mounted the officer behind him and brought him back to the Federal lines. For this brave action, the sergeant was decorated with the Congressional Medal of Honor. The First Brigade next made a gallant charge led by Custer. The enemy soon gave way in every direction. In all six charges were made by the division and in the last all three brigades rode side by side. The enemy abandoned Winchester and hastily retreated up the valley.

The Second Cavalry was detached from the Reserve Brigade on September 20 and reported to General Sheridan as escort. In this capacity it moved up the valley to Fisher’s Hill, where the Confederates were found entrenched. At the request of Colonel Lowell the regiment was again assigned duty with the brigade the next day and thus marched with the division to the Luray Valley, encamping that night at Front Royal, ten miles east of Fisher’s Hill. On the 22^nd the First and Third Divisions marched up the valley to Milford, where the enemy was found posted in a strong position. Unable to dislodge the Confederates at this place, the two divisions returned to Front Royal on the 23^rd. Early on this day and ambulance train escorted by the Second Cavalry was attacked by Moseby’s guerillas near Front Royal. After a brief struggle the irregulars were scattered and thirteen prisoners were taken. Lieutenant McMaster pursued the guerillas beyond supporting distance of the regiment and was captured and killed. Word was received that same day that Sheridan had driven Early south from Fisher’s Hill. The cavalry resumed its march up the valley at once and camped that night near Milford. Early on the morning of the 24^th, the march south was resumed until reaching Luray. At this place Wickham’s cavalry was met and routed by the First and Reserve Brigades and 100 prisoners and one battle flag were captured. The pursuit was continued by the cavalry across the Shenandoah River. Turning to the west the two divisions crossed the Massanutten Mountains and joined the main army at New Market.

On September 26 the Reserve Brigade joined the Third Cavalry Division under Wilson and marched to Staunton for the purpose of capturing all mature males and movable property and destroying other supplies. The command camped there that night and on the next day destroyed several miles of the railroad and then marched to Waynesboro for the same destructive purposes. On the 28^th they remained at this place doing picket duty until late in t the afternoon. About 5:00 PM the Confederates made a sudden attack upon the First and Second Cavalry, who were on duty as out-guards. The surprise was so great the pickets fled in dismay back upon the main body. The fighting was soon going on in the streets of Waynesboro and continued until after dark. Being the most exposed toward the enemy, the First and Second Cavalry were attacked from two sides and almost surrounded. They gave way in confusion and soon the entire command retreated hastily in the dark back to Staunton and thence to Harrisonburg, a distance of about thirty miles, where it rejoined the main army.

Upon Sheridan’s recommendation, Grant ordered him to withdraw down the valley. During this march the cavalry was spread out across the fertile country to destroy everything that could be of use to the enemy. The retrograde movement began October 6 and by the 8^th the First Cavalry Division reached Tom’s Creek as a part of the cavalry covering the withdrawal. On this same date General Merritt sent the Second and Reserve Brigades to support the Third Cavalry Division, which was seriously engaged nearby. When these two brigades reached the field of action they fought the enemy at once and drove him back across Tom’s Creek. On the morning of the 9^th the First Cavalry Division marched to a position on the Back Road approximately where the two brigades fought the enemy the day before. The Third Division under Wilson was already engaged at this place. The First Brigade of Merritt’s Division was ordered to attack the flan and rear of the enemy, while the Reserve Brigade crossed Tom’s Creek and gained the rear of the Confederates. The Second Brigade took position to the front between the main pike and the Back road. The Rebels were pushed back everywhere except in front of the Reserve Brigade, where they showed unusual resistance. Reinforcements were sent to thie part of the line and soon the enemy was retreating by two roads. The division mounted and started a hot pursuit which lasted for twenty miles. At Woodstock the enemy artillery made some resistance but was ridden down by the Reserve Brigade and tow guns captured. Wherever the Rebels stopped for a moment the Federals were upon them, scattering their ranks in all directions. The pursuit was not given up until the advance elements reached Mount Jackson. The Reserve Brigade captured fifty prisoners, four pieces of artillery and other supplies, but lost only seven men wounded.

In September 1864, the 2nd US Cavalry had just 176 enlisted and 3 officers present for duty. 13 Officers and 96 enlisted were on detached duty, with 153 absent sick. Company A had just 24 enlisted present, and no officers. In October, at the time of Cedar Creek, the regiment reported 2 officers and 185 men present, with 14 officers and 79 men detached, along with 141 absent sick. Company A still had just 24 enlisted and no officers present for duty.

The regimental numbers had steadily declined since the early spring of that year through the hard, long campaigning in Grant's southward push. The numbers of sick had more than doubled during this period, while the number detached went down slightly. Casualties for the period through September totaled 85 wounded, 26 killed, and 15 missing. Trevillian's Station (June 11-12) alone had accounted for 36 wounded, 8 killed and 3 missing.

Captain R.S. Smith had commanded the regiment since Captain T.F. Rodenbough's wounding at Trevillian's Station and after his brief appearance during the Winchester battle. On the evening of October 16th, the regiment camped along Cedar Creek. Ordered to stand ready to move at 03:00 on the morning of the 19th, the regiment was treated to the rapidly growing sound of battle in their front, as Joe Early's attack had begun. The whole First division moved to support the Union right flank and the battle mostly developed on the left. Eventually, Confederate forces pressed the cavalrymen who, dismounted, held their skirmish line for two hours. As the Union forces fell back on the left, the Reserve Brigade troopers were ordered to fall back and support the Union left before Middletown. Dismounted again, the regiment held this line through numerous attacks from 09:00 until 16:00. Lieutenant Wells was wounded very early leaving Captain Davis the only officer present with the Second regiment.

As General Wright had reformed his forces, and General Sheridan arriving on the scene, the Union counter-advance began. Sheridan's cavalry rushed forward with the entire army, jarring and jolting the Confederates from line after successive line. Colonel Lowell, commanding the Reserve Brigade, fell mortally wounded in the charge. The Second's only officer, Captain Davis, wounded in the advance, lay on the battlefield all night. Four enlisted men suffered wounds.

With the further reduction of the already small regiment, command devolved upon Captain Baker, commanding the First Cavalry Regiment, and the joined units pursued the retreating enemy as far as Woodstock. Returning to Cedar Creek the next morning, the Second Cavalry Regiment was nearly finished with war in the south.

After Cedar Creek in October 1864 the Second US Cavalry was a much-reduced regiment at less than 300 present for duty, including no officers. Other than a brief, ineffective, forward and then rearward movement by Joe Early's confederates on November 11, there was little of consequence happening in the valley.

General Sheridan's report states, "During this campaign I was at times annoyed by guerilla bands, the most formidable of which was under a partisan chief named Mosby who made his headquarters east of the Blue Ridge, in the section of country about Upperville. I had constantly refused to operate against these bands, believing them to be, substantially, a benefit to me, as they prevented straggling and kept my trains well closed up."

Be that as is may, Sheridan decided to act now that more pressing matters were put aside. He further reported, "In retaliation for the assistance and sympathy given them, however, by the inhabitants of Loudoun Valley, General Merritt, with two brigades of cavalry, was directed to proceed on the 28th of November, 1864, to that valley, under the following instructions:..." Sheridan's order to Merritt said in part, "you will consume and destroy all forage and subsistence, burn all barns and mills and their contents, and drive off all stock...", and "This order must be literally executed, bearing in mind, however, that no dwellings are to be burned, and that no personal violence be offered the citizens."

Of real interest is the report of Lieut Col Casper Crowninshield of the Second Massachusetts Cavalry, who commanded the Reserve Brigade during this period. As his report shows, the brigade left their camp at Stephenson's Depot on the 29th at 3 AM. Upon arriving at Snickersville (now Bluemont) he left the 6th US and a company of 2nd Mass guarding the gap and proceeded south and east to Bloomfield, Union (now Unison), and Philomont before returning to Snickersville where the rest of Merritt's force had arrived.

On the 30th, the Second Cavalry and 2nd Mass were sent north through Wood Grove (just north of present day Round Hill) and on to Hillsboro. From there the two regiments continued north to Cave Head on the Potomac, "and thence along the river road to Lovettsville, destroying all grain, forage, mills, distilleries, &c., and driving in all stock in that part of the country; at Lovettsville they joined Brevet Brigadier-General Devin's brigade."

List of property.	Number	Average Value	Total Value
Captured
Horses	87	$100.00	$8,700.00
Beef-Cattle	474	30.00	14,220.00
Sheep	100	6.00	600.00
Total			23,520.00
Destroyed
Barns	230	100.00	23,000.00
Mills	8	200.00	1,600.00
Distilleries	1	1,000.00	1,000.00
Hay (tons)	10,000	30.00	300,000.00
Grain (bushels)	25,000	2.50	62,500.00
Total			388,100.00
Total Captured and Destroyed			411,620.00

On December 19 General Torbert, with Merritt's and Powell's divisions pushed through Chester Gap to strike the Virginia Central Railroad at Charlottesville or Gordonsville. An intended link up with Custer didn't come off and Torbert failed to reach his goal. The weather was dismal. According to Sheridan, "I heard from General Torbert last night; he was then near Sperryville. The weather is so very bad - rain, snow, and sleet - that I feel a great deal of anxiety about the horses." Tobert's report confirms that for 6 of the ten days on this raid, "it rained, hailed, or snowed, and sometimes all three." There was a fight at Liberty Mills in which Torbert pushed back two confederate brigades and captured two guns and some prisoners. Just above Gordonsville, however, he ran into a determined defense and before he could flank it Confederate infantry (Pegram's division) arrived to replace the cavalry he faced. Our troopers were back in camp on the 28th. Remember that Pegram was a Lieutenant with company I in New Mexico when the war started

On January 20, 1865 our Second Cavalry started from camp near Winchester, arriving in Hagerstown, MD on January 24 and replacing the Sixth Pennsylvania Cavalry. The regiment, under Captain Norris, left Hagerstown March 22 and arrived at Point of Rocks MD (where US 15 now crosses the Potomac) on March 24. Their orders read "establish your camp of reorganization...and you will be charged with the duty of patrolling and picketing the fords in the vicinity [from there to the Monococy River - about 5 miles downstream]. Staying only until April 4th, they were back in camp near Winchester on the 6th. It was a quiet end to a long, hard war.

1864: CHRONOLOGICAL LIST OF BATTLES/ENGAGEMENTS THAT SECOND CAVALRY TROOPS PARTICIPATED

Lambert, Joseph I., Major USA, One Hundred Years with the Second Cavalry, Newton Publishing Company, San Antonio TX 1999

2nd US Cavalry Co. A / 9th Virginia Cavalry Co. D

War of the Rebellion

A web page of the 2nd US Cavalry, Co. A/9th VA Cavalry Co. D Reenactors.

A web page of the 2nd US Cavalry, Co. A/9th VA Cavalry Co. D Reenactors.