9th Pennsylvania Cavalry Regiment
Encyclopedia
The 9th Pennsylvania Cavalry Regiment was a Union Army
cavalry
regiment
that participated in the American Civil War
. It was one of the most respected Union volunteer cavalry units in the war.
. It was composed of 12 companies, mostly recruited from the counties of south-central and southeast Pennsylvania
.
Its officers were Col.
Edward C. Williams, Lt. Col.
Thomas C. James and Maj.
Thomas Jefferson Jordan. Williams was a famous soldier in central Pennsylvania, a bookbinder from Harrisburg who had been a hero in the Mexican-American War. James had served as Captain of the First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry
, a militia
unit active since before the Revolutionary War. He brought a great knowledge of cavalry organization and tactics. Jordan served until the end of the war, attaining the rank of Brevet
Brigadier General
. The original officers of the 9th Pennsylvania Cavalry were politically appointed, but many had previous military experience.
After recruitment and initial training, the regiment was sent to Kentucky
, where it was assigned to the Department of the Cumberland and given additional training. In March, it was ordered into Tennessee
, where it fought several battles over the next few months with John Hunt Morgan
's Confederate
cavalry, capturing hundreds of his men, including his second-in-command and his quartermaster.
After the Battle of Richmond on August 30, 1863, it covered the retreat of the Union Army of Kentucky along with the 9th Kentucky Cavalry
. Being assigned to the Army of the Ohio
, it saw only some skirmishing at the Battle of Perryville
on October 8, 1862.
Near the end of January 1863, Colonel Williams resigned his commission and Lieutenant Colonel James died, leaving Major Jordan in command of the 9th. During the Chickamauga campaign
during the late summer of 1863, the regiment fought in several skirmishes and captured part of the advance guard of Lt. Gen.
James Longstreet
's corps. During the Battle of Chickamauga, it guarded the right flank of the Union army, and, after the rout of the Union left wing, continued fighting with Thomas.
In April 1864, the regiment re-enlisted and was given a furlough so it could return to Pennsylvania to recruit more men. The 9th helped defeat Morgan during another of his raids into Kentucky and in September fought Joseph Wheeler
's raid into Tennessee.
After this, it joined Sherman in his march to the sea
and later in his march through the Carolinas
, fighting several times with Wheeler, including at the Battle of Griswoldville
. During this time, Colonel Jordan was promoted to brigadier general
and Lieutenant Colonel Kimmel was promoted to command of the regiment. On April 17, 1865, the 9th served as part of the escort who traveled with General Sherman to meet General Johnston at the Bennett Farm near Durham Station. After the surrender of General Joseph E. Johnston
's army at the Bennett Place
in North Carolina
, the 9th was mustered out at Lexington, Kentucky
, and finally disbanded at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
The 9th fought against the famous Confederate leaders Forrest, Wheeler and Morgan, among others. Even early in the war when Confederate cavalry was normally superior to most Union forces, the regiment won most of its encounters with the enemy. An 1866 account reports the regimental casualties during the 1864 March to The Sea:
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...
cavalry
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 participated in 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...
. It was one of the most respected Union volunteer cavalry units in the war.
History
The regiment was organized August 29, 1861, at Camp Cameron near HarrisburgHarrisburg, Pennsylvania
Harrisburg is the capital of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 49,528, making it the ninth largest city in Pennsylvania...
. It was composed of 12 companies, mostly recruited from the counties of south-central and southeast Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
.
Its officers were Col.
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
Edward C. Williams, Lt. Col.
Lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
Thomas C. James and Maj.
Major
Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
Thomas Jefferson Jordan. Williams was a famous soldier in central Pennsylvania, a bookbinder from Harrisburg who had been a hero in the Mexican-American War. James had served as Captain of the First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry
First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry
thumb|right|300px|Captain [[Joseph Lapsley Wilson]] of the First City Troop circa 1894The First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry, also known as the First City Troop, is a unit of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard.-History:...
, a militia
Militia
The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
unit active since before the Revolutionary War. He brought a great knowledge of cavalry organization and tactics. Jordan served until the end of the war, attaining the rank of Brevet
Brevet (military)
In many of the world's military establishments, brevet referred to a warrant authorizing a commissioned officer to hold a higher rank temporarily, but usually without receiving the pay of that higher rank except when actually serving in that role. An officer so promoted may be referred to as being...
Brigadier General
Brigadier General
Brigadier general is a senior rank in the armed forces. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of colonel and major general. When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000...
. The original officers of the 9th Pennsylvania Cavalry were politically appointed, but many had previous military experience.
After recruitment and initial training, the regiment was sent to Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
, where it was assigned to the Department of the Cumberland and given additional training. In March, it was ordered into Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
, where it fought several battles over the next few months with John Hunt Morgan
John Hunt Morgan
John Hunt Morgan was a Confederate general and cavalry officer in the American Civil War.Morgan is best known for Morgan's Raid when, in 1863, he and his men rode over 1,000 miles covering a region from Tennessee, up through Kentucky, into Indiana and on to southern Ohio...
's Confederate
Confederate States Army
The Confederate States Army was the army of the Confederate States of America while the Confederacy existed during the American Civil War. On February 8, 1861, delegates from the seven Deep South states which had already declared their secession from the United States of America adopted the...
cavalry, capturing hundreds of his men, including his second-in-command and his quartermaster.
After the Battle of Richmond on August 30, 1863, it covered the retreat of the Union Army of Kentucky along with the 9th Kentucky Cavalry
9th Regiment Kentucky Volunteer Cavalry
The 9th Kentucky Volunteer Cavalry Regiment was a cavalry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Service:The 9th Kentucky Cavalry was organized at Eminence, Kentucky mustered in on August 22, 1861 under the command of Colonel Richard Taylor Jacob...
. Being assigned to the Army of the Ohio
Army of the Ohio
The Army of the Ohio was the name of two Union armies in the American Civil War. The first army became the Army of the Cumberland and the second army was created in 1863.-History:...
, it saw only some skirmishing at the Battle of Perryville
Battle of Perryville
The Battle of Perryville, also known as the Battle of Chaplin Hills, was fought on October 8, 1862, in the Chaplin Hills west of Perryville, Kentucky, as the culmination of the Confederate Heartland Offensive during the American Civil War. Confederate Gen. Braxton Bragg's Army of Mississippi won a...
on October 8, 1862.
Near the end of January 1863, Colonel Williams resigned his commission and Lieutenant Colonel James died, leaving Major Jordan in command of the 9th. During the Chickamauga campaign
Battle of Chickamauga
The Battle of Chickamauga, fought September 19–20, 1863, marked the end of a Union offensive in southeastern Tennessee and northwestern Georgia called the Chickamauga Campaign...
during the late summer of 1863, the regiment fought in several skirmishes and captured part of the advance guard of Lt. Gen.
Lieutenant General (United States)
In the United States Army, the United States Air Force and the United States Marine Corps, lieutenant general is a three-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-9. Lieutenant general ranks above major general and below general...
James Longstreet
James Longstreet
James Longstreet was one of the foremost Confederate generals of the American Civil War and the principal subordinate to General Robert E. Lee, who called him his "Old War Horse." He served under Lee as a corps commander for many of the famous battles fought by the Army of Northern Virginia in the...
's corps. During the Battle of Chickamauga, it guarded the right flank of the Union army, and, after the rout of the Union left wing, continued fighting with Thomas.
In April 1864, the regiment re-enlisted and was given a furlough so it could return to Pennsylvania to recruit more men. The 9th helped defeat Morgan during another of his raids into Kentucky and in September fought Joseph Wheeler
Joseph Wheeler
Joseph Wheeler was an American military commander and politician. He has the rare distinction of serving as a general during war time for two opposing forces: first as a noted cavalry general in the Confederate States Army in the 1860s during the American Civil War, and later as a general in the...
's raid into Tennessee.
After this, it joined Sherman in his march to the sea
Sherman's March to the Sea
Sherman's March to the Sea is the name commonly given to the Savannah Campaign conducted around Georgia from November 15, 1864 to December 21, 1864 by Maj. Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman of the Union Army in the American Civil War...
and later in his march through the Carolinas
Carolinas Campaign
The Carolinas Campaign was the final campaign in the Western Theater of the American Civil War. In January 1865, Union Maj. Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman advanced north from Savannah, Georgia, through the Carolinas, with the intention of linking up with Union forces in Virginia. The defeat of ...
, fighting several times with Wheeler, including at the Battle of Griswoldville
Battle of Griswoldville
The Battle of Griswoldville was the first battle of Sherman's March to the Sea, fought November 22, 1864, during the American Civil War. A Union Army brigade under Brig. Gen. Charles C. Walcutt fought three brigades of Georgia militia under Brig. Gen. Pleasant J...
. During this time, Colonel Jordan was promoted to brigadier general
Brigadier General
Brigadier general is a senior rank in the armed forces. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of colonel and major general. When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000...
and Lieutenant Colonel Kimmel was promoted to command of the regiment. On April 17, 1865, the 9th served as part of the escort who traveled with General Sherman to meet General Johnston at the Bennett Farm near Durham Station. After the surrender of General Joseph E. Johnston
Joseph E. Johnston
Joseph Eggleston Johnston was a career U.S. Army officer, serving with distinction in the Mexican-American War and Seminole Wars, and was also one of the most senior general officers in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War...
's army at the Bennett Place
Bennett Place
Bennett Place, sometimes known as Bennett Farm, in Durham, North Carolina was the site of the largest surrender of Confederate soldiers ending the American Civil War, on April 26, 1865.-History:...
in North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, the 9th was mustered out at Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 63rd largest in the US. Known as the "Thoroughbred City" and the "Horse Capital of the World", it is located in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass region...
, and finally disbanded at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
The 9th fought against the famous Confederate leaders Forrest, Wheeler and Morgan, among others. Even early in the war when Confederate cavalry was normally superior to most Union forces, the regiment won most of its encounters with the enemy. An 1866 account reports the regimental casualties during the 1864 March to The Sea:
- November 21 near Macon Georgia.............1 missing
- November 22 at Griswold Georgia..............5 killed/21 wounded/42 captured
- December 2 forgers..................................4 missing
- December 3 forgers near Thomas Station...8 missing
- December 4 in action at Waynesboro....1 killed/12 wounded {Note:earlier note reports casualties as 1 killed/2 mortally wounded/11 wounded}
- Foragers missing during campaign............12 missing
- Captured: 288 horses; 152 mules; 2 carbines
- Abandoned: 441 horses; 13 mules; 57 sets of horse equipment; 13 carbines; 17 sabres
- Lost in action: 91 horses; 97 sets of horse-equipments; 95 carbines; 77 sabres; 11 colt revolvers
Casualties
- Killed and mortally wounded: 6 officers, 66 enlisted men
- Died of disease: 2 officers, 155 enlisted men
- Wounded: ? officers, ? enlisted men
- Captured: ? officers, ? enlisted men
- Total: ? officers, ? enlisted men
Further reading
- Rowell, John W., Yankee Cavalrymen, Knoxville: University of Tennessee Press, 1971.