review by R. G. Matteson
This book is an interesting review of the formation of one of the first New York volunteer cavalry regiments of the Civil War. It describes the recruitment of the first two battalions, and their mustering in and training at Elmira and Gettysburg. Their training at Gettysburg occurred because that location was a key location, being close to the Mason-Dixon line. Troops could be moved rapidly from there to the South, or to Washington, to protect that location. It was an omen of the great battle that would occur there eighteen months later. Political aspects entered into the selection of this site, also, since Congressman Edward McPherson was from Gettysburg, and apparently lobbied extensively for his home town. Lt. Col. Irvine also helped, since he also was a congressman, for one term in 1858 from the district formed by Livingston, Steuben, and Chemung counties. Interestingly, the battle of Gettysburg took place on property largely owned by McPherson.
When the 10th arrived in Gettysburg, there were no barracks for them, and there were no horses for them. They would not get horses, carbines, or pistols until quite a bit later. The troops were bedded down in various public buildings in Gettysburg, by company. After a few days, about half the companies moved out to some farmland outside of town owned by Dr. David Shafer, and set up "Sibley" tents, which look somewhat like tepees. This half of the regiment was not too pleased, since the winter weather was still quite uncomfortable. In fact, they only stayed there a few days, when they moved back to their more comfortable quarters in town for the rest of January.
Permanent barracks were started on the George Wolf farm, east of town. The building went fast, in spite of a rather severe winter, since the troops moved in during the first week of February 1862. There were 10 buildings, one for each of the 8 companies, one for commissioned officers, and one for the non-coms, band, and regimental offices. The location was dubbed "Camp Stanton", in honor of the new Secretary of War under President Lincoln.
They did not get to use their barracks for long, since they left Gettysburg on March 7, 1862, for Perryville, MD, on the north shore of the Susquehanna River. They had been in Gettysburg for 72 days. Unfortunately, the barracks were torn down shortly after they left. The 10 buildings would have been very useful after the great Battle of Gettysburg for relatively comfortable hospital space.
Their mission in Maryland was to guard the various bridges and other crossings of the Susquehanna River. At this time the 10th was in Brigadier General George D. Bayard's cavalry brigade.
Carbines and pistols were finally issued to the 10th on June 19, 1862, in Havre de Grace, MD. Horses and associated equipage were not issued until August-September, 1862.
Much of the information presently existing about the 10th is in the book by Noble D. Preston, a sgt. major in the 1st battalion of the 10th, and who was designated as the regimental historian1. By the time of the Battle of Gettysburg, Noble had risen to the rank of 1st Lieutenant.
This book was of special interest to me, since my great grandfather served in the 10th, although he was not a member of the 10th during the training at Gettysburg in early 1862. He served from September 1862 through July 1865 as a member of Company L, 3rd Battalion.
A cavalry regiment consisted of three battalions having four companies each. Ideally, the first battalion would have companies A, B, C, and D. The second battalion would have companies E, F, G, and H. The third would have companies I, K, L, and M, there being no company J. In round numbers, each company would have about 80 men, giving a regiment a strength of about 1000, when battalion and regimental officers and staff are included. Rarely did a regiment in the field be at full strength, however. Regiments in the field could be as low as 75 to 250 men, in many cases.
At the beginning of the Civil War, the importance of cavalry units was not appreciated, according to the author. It was felt that these types of units should only be used for escorts and couriers for general officers and their staffs. It was felt that cavalry units would be useless in wooded areas of battle along the east coast. Cavalry units were also more expensive to equip, due to the procurement and upkeep of horses, more sophisticated arms and supplies, etc. Even high-ranking military officers were not enthused about the value of cavalry units in the War. The attitude changed after the Battle of 1st Bull Run, when the Confederate cavalry played a major role. Only seven companies of Union cavalry participated in that battle, but 31 cavalry regiments were mustered into the Union Army by August 31, 1861, and 19 more by December 1!
New York State authorized the formation of four regiments on august 17, 1861, two regiments of cavalry, including the 10th (the "Porter Guard Cavalry"), and two regiments of infantry, by means of General Order No. 87 from the State Adjutant-General's Office. The cavalry regiments were authorized to start up with only two battalions initially. The other cavalry regiment was the 7th, which was never issued any horses during its entire term of service. The additional four companies of the 10th joined the regiment almost a year later, and didn't see Gettysburg until the great battle.
The 10th was called the Porter Guard Cavalry in honor of Peter Buel Porter of Niagara falls, an officer in the war of 1812 and Secretary of War for President John Quincy Adams in 1828. A regiment is commanded by a colonel, who was often selected from political considerations, and who was often instrumental in the organization of the regiment. The 10th was no exception. The organizer was John C. Lemmon, successful in the milling business in Buffalo, NY. He had been in the military briefly in 1834, but this was a minimal experience for commanding a regiment. However, he was appointed the first colonel for the 10th. He led the regiment until October 11, 1862, when he suffered a serious leg injury from a hospital wagon accident. He was accustomed to travelling by hospital wagon, and it overturned when he was apparently trying to prevent himself from being captured by the Confederates. Lt. Col. William Irvine took over the command, but suffered from a considerable amount of illness, and was captured by the Confederates on June 9, 1863 at Brandy Station. At this point Major M. Henry Avery assumed command, being next in line as commander of the 1st battalion. Major Avery was the only field-grade officer to serve with the regiment from beginning to end.
At the Battle of Gettysburg, July 1-3, 1863, the 10th was part of the 3rd Brigade under Col. John I. Gregg. This brigade was in the 2nd Division under Brigadier General David McM. Gregg, Col. Gregg's first cousin. The brigade was in the Cavalry Corps under Major General Alfred Pleasonton. The regiment was down to 16 officers and 381 men in strength, after suffering heavy losses in the battles at Brandy Station, Aldie, and Middleburg.
Many valuable references are given in the book, at the end of each chapter and in the bibliography at the end. Many interesting illustrations are also included. A picture of the 10th regiment monument on Brinkerhoff's Ridge at Gettysburg, where the 10th first encountered action against the Confederates on July 2, 1863, is in the book. A group photo of the attending members is also given for the 25th reunion in Gettysburg, in 1888. Reunions were held again in 1908 and 1913. This book is a valuable reference for anyone interested in the Civil War, the cavalry, Gettysburg, New York participation in the Civil war, or the 10th regiment. By the way, it's also a very interesting read.
References cited in the book include books by Preston, Phisterer, Fox, the National Archives, and the 10th New York Cavalry Association, listed in the Bibliography of this web site.
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