3rd Regiment, Pennsylvania Cavalry

Historical Sketch:
Cols., William H. Young, W. W. Averell, John B. Mcintosh, Edward S. Jones ; Lieut. -Cols., Samuel W. Owen, Edward S. Jones, James W. Walsh; Majs., E. W. Bennett, O. O. G. Robinson, J. Claude While, James W. Walsh, Frank W. Hess, Charles Treichel. This regiment, the 60th of the line, known at first as Young's Light Kentucky Cavalry, was organized at Philadelphia in July and Aug., 1861. Companies A, C, F, K, and M were recruited in Philadelphia, B in Philadelphia and Chester county, E in Clinton, D in Washington, D. C., and G in Allegheny, I in Philadelphia and Delaware county, and L in Schuylkill. On account of its name it lost precedence in number, though many of its companies were the first to enlist in the three years' service. The regiment assembled in Washington in August, William W. Averell, a graduate of West Point then serving in the 5th U. S. cavalry, being appointed colonel by Gov. Curtin on Aug. 31. Under the severe discipline instilled by its new commander it became one of the most efficient regiments in the service. It spent the winter of 1861-62 at Camp Marcy, engaged in drill and picket duty, and in March embarked on the Peninsular campaign. It was frequently engaged during the siege of Yorktown and was constantly skirmishing and scouting throughout the campaign. It was active at Williamsburg, but was not engaged at Fair Oaks. In the trying Seven Days' battles, the men were almost constantly in the saddle and were repentedly under a severe fire. The regiment was engaged in a hard skirmish at Jordan's ford, and at Charles City cross-roads participated in a brilliant hand to hand engagement with a North Carolina regiment. It spent the summer of 1862 at Harrison's landing and was actively employed throughout the Maryland campaign in September. Late in October it moved with the army into Virginia, covering the right flank of the advance and often came in collision with the enemy under Stuart nnd Hampton, notably at Union, Upperville, Manassas gap and Hartwood Church. Col. Averell having been promoted brigadier-general for galantry, was succeeded by John B. Mcintosh, a subaltern of the 5th U. S. cavalry. The regiment went into winter quarters near Potomac creek and was not engaged at Fredericksburg. It was employed during the winter in scouting and picketing along the Rappahannock, having frequent encounters with the enemy. It participated in the brilliant cavalry engagement at Kelly's Ford, in March, 1863, where Capt. Treichel was among the wounded. Returning to camp, it remained there until April 29 and then took part in Gen. Stoneman's raid. In the reorganization of the army at this time, Col. Mcintosh was placed in command of the 1st brigade, 2nd cavalry division, and Lieut.-Col. Jones succeeded to the command of the regiment. The cavalry, now commanded by Gen. Pleasonton, crossed the Rappahannock on June 9, and kept the enemy's cavalrv so fully employed prior to the battle of Gettysburg, that Stuart was unable to rejoin Lee until after that fight. The 60th was in the saddle in this campaign 20 hours out of the 24, for a period of 8 days, and arrived on the field of Gettysburg on July 2, going into action immediately. On the following day it assisted in meeting the fierce charge of Hampton's division, losing 24 men killed and wounded. Among the wounded were Capts. Newhall, Treichel, Rogers and Wetherill, and Lieut. Edmonds. In the pursuit which followed the battle of Gettysburg, it engaged the enemy's cavalry at Old Antietam forge, and was again engaged with its division at Shepherdstown. It spent the balance of the summer in scouting and picket duty along the upper Rappahannock and around Warrenton. In the September campaign it was engaged in a running fight from the Rappahannock to the Rapidan, making a gallant charge and driving the enemy at Culpeper Court House. Later in the month it was detached and posted along the line of the Orange & Alexandria railroad, encamping near Bristoe Station, where it was assigned to Eustis' brigade, Terry's division, 6th corps. In October it reported to Gen. Buford and was engaged with the 2nd cavalry division under that commander, at Bristoe Station. The following day it was engaged for more than 2 hours in a rear-guard action, losing 19 killed and wounded, and was highly commended by Gen. Buford for its gallantry in holding in check a superior force of the enemy. The regiment now resumed its old position along the upper Rappahannock and on Nov. 26 moved on the Mine Run campaign, being engaged with heavy loss on the 27th and 28th. The following month it went into winter-quarters at Warrenton, where the men suffered severely from a lack of camp supplies and clothing lost during the Mine Run campaign. Largely because of their wretched plight at this time, only about 75 members of the command reenlisted for another three years' term. Near the close of the year, Capt. Newhall, an excellent and much beloved officer, was accidentally drowned. On Jan. 26, 1864, the 60th, now much reduced in numbers by its severe service, was ordered to report at the headquarters of the Army of the Potomac at Brandy Station for duty with the provost-marshal-general. In the succeeding campaign it did service as an emergency command, serving frequently as escort to generals Grant and Meade. Taking the advance of the army, it made the first connection with Gen. Butler's command south of the James, and finally went into camp at Gen. Meade's headquarters on the Military railroad. As their terms were now about to expire, the original members to the number of about 300, constituting about one-half the command, were ordered to Washington to report to Gen. Halleck, and the veterans and recruits were organized into an independent battalion of three companies, known as the veteran battalion, of the 3d Pa. cavalry, commanded by Maj. J. W. Walsh. The portion of the command ordered to Washington, remained on duty there for a time to assist in repelling the Confederate raid under Gen. Early, but finally arrived in Philadelphia on Aug. 20, and was mustered out on the 24th. The veteran battalion remained with Gen. Meade's headquarters at Meade Station until October, when it moved to a point near the center of the lines. During the fall and winter many recruits were received, and the battalion was increased to eight companies. It was engaged at Boydton plank road, Hatcher's run, along the Weldon railroad and in the assaults on Petersburg. Early in the winter, three companies were detached for service at the headquarters of Gen. Grant, remaining there until the opening of the final campaign in 1865. It was active in the last assault on Petersburg and in the pursuit which followed. In May it performed provost guard duty in Richmond, where the members slowly left the service, several being mustered out in the first week of June, and on the 9th the remaining members were consolidated in four companies, which were transferred to the 5th Pa. cavalry and mustered out with that regiment at Richmond, Va., Aug. 7, 1865. Roster:
The Roster of this unit contains the names of 3930 men.
Source:
The Union Army by Federal Publishing Company, 1908 - Volume 1
Bibliography:

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