Stoneman’s Raid: 1st US Cavalry Official Report

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1st US Cavalry, Richard S.C. Lord, Stoneman's Raid

Report of Captain Richard S.C. Lord, First U.S. Cavalry.
Camp near Morrisville, Va., May 15, 1863.

Sir: I have the honor to submit the following report of the duties performed by my regiment in the recent expedition of General Stoneman;

The regiment left camp Allen, Va., April 13, with 20 officers and 547 men.

On the 14th, the regiment was under artillery fire at Kelly’s Ford, and behaved with the greatest coolness.

On the 20th, 37 men and horses were sent back, by the orders of the corps commander, on account of being unable to perform the marches required of them. Lieutenant Benton was allowed by me to return with this party, in consequence of the statement that he was unable to accompany the expedition. The attending surgeon considered him equal to the duties required of him, and refused to give him a certificate of inability.

On the 28th, the regiment had the advance in crossing Kelly’s Ford, and during that night was fired into by the picket of the enemy.

On May 2, the regiment was detached, with orders to destroy the road and public buildings of the Virginia Central Railroad between Louisa Court-House and Frederickshall, and , if possible, the bridge over the North Anna River, 6 miles north of Frederickshall. In obedience to this order, I marched with 251 men and 14 officers, the remainder of my horses being so much broken down as to be unable to accompany the expedition. I destroyed at Tolersville the railroad track, culverts, all the switches, three water-houses and water-tanks, cars, telegraph, depot, and store-houses, containing a large amount of public property, flour, potatoes, Confederate uniforms, &c. At Frederickshall I destroyed the railroad track, water-tanks, culverts, telegraph line and instruments, rendering the line of the railroad impassable for a distance of 15 miles. I also burned the bridge on the North Anna River; this in the face of the enemy’s pickets, thereby preventing the possibility of a pursuit by the enemy’s cavalry, the said to be at Spotsylvania.

During this expedition the regiment captured 5 prisoners, and although the regiment was frequently fired at by the enemy’s pickets, it rejoined General Stoneman’s command, with the loss of 1 horse killed by the enemy, after an absence of twenty-four hours.

On the 5th, in the expedition under General Buford on Gordonsville, the regiment furnished 246 men and 16 officers. The regiment shared the hardships of the remainder of the expedition, and although exposed to the most extreme fatigue, hunger, and cold, performed its duties in the most satisfactory and cheerful manner. I can but speak in terms of the highest praise of the coolness and gallantry of all the men of my command, both officers and men.

Changes in the regiment since the commencement of the expedition: Discharged, 23; missing, 18; captured and paroled, 3.

Respectfully submitted to Brig. Gen. J. Buford, commanding Regular Reserve Cavalry Brigade.

R.S.C. Lord
Captain First U.S. Cavalry, Commanding Regiment.

Capt. T.C. Bacon,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., Reserve Cavalry Brigade.

Source: Official Records, Vol. 25, pt 1, pg 1091

150 Years Ago: 5th U.S. Cavalry, May 1863

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1863, 5th U.S. Cavalry, Stoneman's Raid

At the beginning of May 1863, the 5th U.S. Cavalry’s regimental strength was 12 officers and 424 enlisted men in ten companies. Although authorized twelve companies, the regiment had not yet attempted to recruit and organize the other two. This was partly due to the need for heavy recruiting to make up the losses sustained at Gaines Mill the previous June. The regiment was commanded in May by Captain James E. Harrison.

All ten companies with the army participated in Stoneman’s Raid, and Captain Harrison’s official report on the raid will appear here next week. The monthly return shows only 130 unserviceable horses in the regiment, somewhat better than their sister regiments. Average company strength was only 42 of an authorized 95. Not a single company had its full complement of officers. Of the ten companies, two were commanded by captains, four by first lieutenants and four by second lieutenants. All four of the second lieutenants were former noncommissioned officers.

Source: NARA, Returns of Regular Army Regiments, 5th U.S. Cavalry, April 1863, images 335-337.

150 Years Ago: 2d U.S. Cavalry, May 1863

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2d Dragoons, 2d US Cavalry, Charles J. Whiting, Stoneman's Raid

Charles J. Whiting, Courtesy of David Perrine Collection

At the beginning of May 1863, the 2d U.S. Cavalry’s regimental strength with the Army of the Potomac was 17 officers and 304 enlisted men in ten companies. Although authorized twelve companies, Company M was not yet mustered and Company C had just reached Washington from the western theater. The regiment was commanded in May by Major Charles J. Whiting, the only field grade officer present for duty with his regiment of the four regular cavalry regiments in the Army of the Potomac.

All ten companies with the army participated in Stoneman’s Raid, apparently with a steep bill in horseflesh. The monthly return shows 165 unserviceable horses in the regiment. Expiration of enlistments was fast becoming a problem as well, with 32 veterans departing the regiment this month. Average company strength was only 30. Not a single company had its full complement of officers. Of the ten companies, three were commanded by captains, four by first lieutenants and three by second lieutenants. All three of the second lieutenants were former first sergeants.
Source: NARA, Returns of Regular Army Regiments, 2d U.S. Cavalry, April 1863, images 223-224.

150 years ago: 1st US Cavalry, May 1863

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1st US Cavalry, Stoneman's Raid

            At the beginning of May 1863, the 1^st U.S. Cavalry’s regimental strength with the Army of the Potomac was 12 officers and 371 enlisted men in seven companies.  Although authorized twelve companies, three had been temporarily disbanded due to a shortage of officers and enlisted men.  The other two companies, D and G, were still in New Mexico with an additional two officers and 61 enlisted men.  The regiment was commanded in May by Captain Richard S.C. Lord, recently arrived from commanding the squadron still in New Mexico during the first two years of the war.

            The regiment participated in Stoneman’s Raid, but with even fewer men.  Company B was near Dumfries, Virginia at the cavalry’s dismounted camp, and Company L was in Washington, D.C.  General Stoneman had five companies at his disposal, with a strength of 10 officers and 267 enlisted men.  Only Company I had its full complement of officers present for duty.  Two of the remaining four companies were commanded by lieutenants.  Average company strength was only 53.

            Regimental recordkeeping in some disarray this month, as Captain Lord had just joined the regiment from New Mexico and assumed command.  No information is listed for the Field & Staff, other than listing all of the field grade officers on detached service at various locations.

Source: NARA, Returns of Regular Army Regiments, 1^st U.S. Cavalry, April 1863, images 111-112.

Book Review: After Gettysburg

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After Gettysburg, book reviews, cavalry

I received this book for Christmas, but just read it recently.  I wasn’t sure what to expect, as I haven’t read Mr. Trout’s studies of Stuart’s staff and horse artillery, but all have been highly recommended.  After reading this book, I have ordered them.

In After Gettysburg, Robert Trout provides the first comprehensive and detailed look at the activities of the Army of the Potomac and the Army of Northern Virginia between the end of the Gettysburg campaign and the winter halt to campaigning for 1863.  Most books treat these activities with a few sentences between brief paragraphs on the Bristoe Station and Mine Run campaigns.  This is the first book to my knowledge to look at the actions from a campaign perspective.

Mr. Trout’s narrative skillfully blends primary and secondary sources to produce an engrossing tale.  This had not previously been a period of great interest to me, but I had a difficult time putting the book down.  I was very impressed by his ability to provide very detailed information consistently without bogging down his narrative with minutiae.  For those desiring more depth on the action as it unfolded, he provides very comprehensive endnotes that provide additional information and context in additional to source notations.

I was thrilled to at last see detailed maps of areas south of the Rappahannock, but had trouble following them at times.  This was partly an issue of transitioning between maps, and is likely a personal issue.  Certainly the 25 maps provide excellent opportunity for the reader to visualize the activities in the text.

Content aside, this is an absolutely beautiful book.  The publisher, Eagle Editions, Limited, produced a gem.  From cover art to page weight to binding it is a work of art.

I strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in the less publicized periods of the war and cavalry enthusiasts.  Given the author’s placing of context for the campaign, I think it could be enjoyed by anyone from a Civil War novice to a veteran researcher.

150 Years Ago Today – April 28, 1863

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Reserve Brigade, Stoneman's Raid

150 years ago today, the regiments of the Reserve Brigade left their camps near Warrenton and encamped near Bealeton Station.  The waters of the Rappahannock were dropping at last, and it appeared Stoneman’s Raid would finally begin the next day. 

5th Cavalry at Gaines Mill article

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5th Cavalry, Armor magazine, Civil War, Gaines Mill

This month’s e-version of Armor magazine has an excellent article on one of the companies of the 5th US Cavalry at the battle of Gaines Mill. It is entitled “A Hard Duty Given This Half of the 5th Cavalry,” by Donald McConnell and Gustav Person. The link for it is here. The authors do an excellent job of setting the table for the reader leading up to the battle, then provide a very detailed look at the battle and its aftermath for Company H, 5th US Cavalry. I found it a very entertaining and informative read.

On the shelf and on the market!

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6th US Cavalry, Civil War, Union cavalry

I was both thrilled and humbled to receive the authors’ (and forewordist’s!) copies of the book in the mail today. I’m very pleased with the way it turned out, and it’s definitely nice to finally have the closure of a fully completed project. All in all, I think we did a good job of telling the regiment’s story in a coherent fashion, with enough visual aids for the average reader to follow the story and the action of the unit’s actions. Eric’s foreword is excellent, and I was very pleased with the way the maps from both Steven Stanley and Blake Magner turned out. The roster is more compact than I had visualized, and very user-friendly. Photos for stories about regulars are always tough, but I think we found enough to help humanize the story. I like the way they’re spread through the text instead of grouped in a few pages in the center of the book.

Just what I needed to energize the research effort for the next book, assuming I can find someone to publish it. Initial feedback from a very small sample has been positive so far. I would imagine it will depend on how the reviews go for this one.

I should have signed copies for sale by late next week. If you’d like one, please email me at dccaughey AT aol DOT com.

Private John Saville, Co. K, 1st U.S. Cavalry

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1st U.S. Cavalry, 23rd Illinois Infantry

I had a request recently to see what I could find out about this gentleman, and thought I’d post it here in case anyone’s curious.  He was a much more difficult nut to crack than most queries I attempt. I certainly learned a few things, most of them unexpected.  It is very likely that John is featured in the banner photo for the blog, as this was his company in early 1864 near Brandy Station.

John Saville was born in County Limerick, Ireland about 1841.  He immigrated to the United States, and was living near Chicago when the Civil War broke out.  He enlisted as a private into Company G, 23^rd Illinois Infantry regiment on June 15, 1861 at the age of 21. He served with this unit for the first year and a half of the war, in what appears to be a singular experience.

The 23dr Illinois was mustered in the same day John enlisted, June 15, 1861.  Upon completion of their training, they marched to garrison Lexington, Missouri in September.  After a brief siege, they surrendered the town to militia under Confederate General Sterling Price and were captured and paroled.  The regiment was mustered out by order of General Fremont on October 8, and ordered restored by General McClellan on December 10^th.  For the first half of 1862, the regiment guarded prisoners at Camp Douglas outside of Chicago.  In June they moved to Harpers Ferry, where they served as part of the Railroad District, 8^th Corps, Middle Department.  They served at various locations in the vicinity of Harpers Ferry for the duration of the year, marching to the relief of Parkersburg and Clarksburg in September.   

On December 24, 1862, he transferred from his volunteer regiment into the regular army at New Creek, Virginia.  He was sworn into Company K, 1^st U.S. Cavalry by Lieutenant Judson Haycock.  His enlistment documents describe him as 5’ 11” tall, with blue eyes, black hair and a dark complexion.  He served the remainder of the war in the company without any major issues.  He was discharged at the expiration of his enlistment in New Orleans, Louisiana on December 24, 1865 as a private.

John returned home to Chicago, but must not have been too pleased with his homecoming.  On January 27, 1866, barely a month after he left the army, he re-enlisted.  He was sworn into company A, 18^th U.S. Infantry, which later became Company A, 36^th U.S. Infantry, by Lieutenant Kirkland.  This enlistment did not go well at all.  He deserted on July 3, 1867, only to be apprehended six days later.  Apparently things continued to go poorly, for he was dishonorably discharged as a private on January 27, 1869, per General Order 38, Department of the Platte at Camp Douglas, Utah.

John returned to Chicago, where he worked as a laborer.  He evidently suffered the effects of his military service.  He was admitted to the Northwestern Branch, National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1877 for disability due to rheumatism.  He was expelled a few months later on February 28, 1878 with the note, “refused to work.”   He filed a pension as a veteran invalid on May 3, 1879.  He was in and out of the Northwestern Branch and the Western Branch for the next several years, then disappeared from records after December 1889.  I could locate no marriage records, and he was listed as single in the National Home entries.

So ends our tale of John Saville, a common soldier.

The proofs are in the … index?

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6th U.S. Cavalry

I’m afraid you will have to excuse a brief hiatus from posting. Yesterday I received the proofs from McFarland for The 6th United States Cavalry in the Civil War, and am currently neck-deep (but still afloat) in proofreading and indexing. The break shouldn’t be very long, and I still hope to get my post on Marcus Reno at Kelly’s Ford up by Sunday evening. Things may just be a little slower for a week or two. As soon as I’ve finished the index, the link will be posted here for ordering info from McFarland or autographed copies from me directly.

Thank you for your indulgence. Now, where did I put that red pen….