Happy New Year

Just a quick note to wish all of my readers a safe, healthy and prosperous New Year. 2008 was a tumultuous year for many, though many good things happened as well. Here's hoping for a better 2009 for everyone.

Housekeeping

Finally took some time today for some blog housekeeping (I tried 'blogkeeping' and it just didn't look right). The observant reader will note several new additions in the recommended blogs to the right. The housekeeping highlights:

Updated the links for Hoofbeats and Cold Steel and Civil War Memory.

Added several new links. Robert Grandchamp's 7th Rhode Island Volunteers is a new blog that shows great promise, and will give me yet another perspective on presenting regimental histories. Jim Lamason's Thoughts of a Native Son of New Jersey also shows promise. I find Jim Beeghley's Teaching the Civil War With Technology, with many interesting ideas. I have added Jim Bissland's Blood, Tears, and Glory and the collaborative Army of Tennessee to provide some western theater balance to the blog for the new year. Although BT and G isn't currently being written, it ties in well with the wealth of Ohio regulars that I've turned up this year.

I've also added a site that's probably not new, but is new to me. Gettysburg Daily looks to be a very interesting site.

The next round of updates will include distinct lists between 'normal' blogs and 'information compilation' blogs, but there wasn't time for that today.

Company F, 6th US Cavalry Roster, Part I

Company F was recruited in Pittsburgh by Lieutenant Hancock T. McLean. By January 1862, he would command the company, as Captain Joseph H. Taylor had moved to Brigadier General E.V. Sumner's staff in November 1861.

The company was officially organized on August 16, 1861 at Camp Scott, near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Its captain was Joseph H. Taylor, nephew of former president Zachary Taylor. The first lieutenant was his first cousin, Hancock Taylor McLean. No second lieutenant was assigned until Isaac M. Ward was assigned to the company on November 5, 1861. Captain Taylor left the company that same month for a variety of staff positions, and McLean and other lieutenants commanded the company throughout the war. A total of 182 enlisted men served in the company during the war, 31 of whom joined from volunteer units in the fall of 1862. The majority of these soldiers came from the 3rd Wisconsin Infantry, the 1st Minnesota Infantry, and the 9th Pennsylvania Reserve Corps. 52 of them joined the regiment in the fall of 1864, many as draftees or their substitutes.

The roster below lists all of the enlisted men assigned to the company during the war. The rank listed is the highest rank achieved. The date listed is the date the soldier enlisted into the 6th US Cavalry. The officers are not posted, as they appear in separate Fiddler's Green entries.

Brown, John M., First Sergeant, July 1, 1861. Enlisted as a private at Pittsburgh by LT McLean at age 23. Acting 1SG of Company F in March 1863. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service on July 1, 1864 at Lighthouse Point, Va.

Swartz, Emil, First Sergeant, 1861. Enlisted into Co E, 1st US Cavalry October 1, 1855 by Captain Sturgis in Harrisburg, PA. Re-enlisted into the same company by LT Ingraham at Fort Smith, AR on September 1, 1860. Transferred to 6th US Cavalry, date unknown. First Sergeant of company during Peninsula Campaign. Discharged for disability in camp near Falmouth, VA as a First Sergeant. Enlisted into General Service, Adjutant General's Office, HQ Army by MAJ Williams on February 26, 1863. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service on February 26, 1868 in Washington, DC, a sergeant. Born in Berks County, PA. Originally enlisted at age 25, auburn hair, blue eyes, fresh complexion, 5'8" tall. Former trade, butcher.

Wallace, Robert, First Sergeant, July 6, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service on July 6, 1864 at Lighthouse Point, VA as a sergeant.

Buckton, John, Sergeant, July 10, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service on July 10, 1864 at Lighthouse Point, VA, a sergeant.

Croy, Levi B., Sergeant, July 3, 1861. Enlisted at Pittsburgh by LT McLean, age 32. Promoted to sergeant September 1862. Captured at battle of Fairfield, July 3, 1863. Discharged in the field at the expiration of his term of service on July 3, 1864.

Everson, Richard, Sergeant, July 3, 1861. Born Newport, England. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean, age 40. Described as short. Promoted to Commisary Sergeant before the Regiment reached Washington. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service on July 5, 1864 at Lighthouse Point, VA.

Hutchison, William, Sergeant, October 28, 1862. Enlisted in Knoxville, MD by LT Claflin. Reenlisted on February 9, 1864 at Camp 6th Cavalry, VA by LT Tupper. Discharged February 8, 1867 at the expiration of his term of service in Jacksboro, TX as a sergeant.

McMasters, Robert H., Sergeant, July 6, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service at Lighthouse Point, VA on July 6, 1864 as a sergeant.

Piedfort, Albert, Sergeant, August 15, 1863. Born in Havre, France. Enlisted in New York City by CPT Arnold. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service on August 15, 1868 at Fort Larned, KS as a sergeant.

Stinson, Sam'l. F., Sergeant, December 7, 1864. Enlisted in Philadelphia by CPT Rodenbough. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service on December 6, 1867 at Camp Wilson, TX as a sergeant.

Walsh, Michael, Sergeant, July 4, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service on July 4, 1864 at Lighthouse Point, VA as a sergeant.

Wiederway, Frank, Sergeant, August 8, 1861. Originally enlisted into Company G in Rochester, NY by CPT Cram. Transferred from Company G to Company F, February 27, 1864. Re-enlisted into Company F by LT Tupper at Brandy Station, VA as a private.

Bopenhagen, August, Corporal, July 3, 1861. Born in Germany. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean at age 21. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service on July 3, 1864 at Lighthouse Point, VA.

Donaldson, James, Corporal, July 29, 1861. Captured at the battle of Funkstown, MD as a corporal on July 7, 1863. Discharged July 29, 1864 at the expiration of his term of service as a private.

Froben, Louis H., Corporal, July 3, 1861. Also Von Froben. Born in Germany. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean, age 21. Discharged at Light House Point, VA July 3, 1864 at the expiration of his term of service. Enlisted into General Service by LT Carpenter in Washington, D.C. on August 10, 1864. Discharged September 20, 1866 per Special Order 464, Para. 1, HQ Army, AGO, September 18, 1866.

Simonet, Peter, Corporal, July 25, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service on July 25, 1864 as a corporal.

Slattery, Michael, Corporal, July 5, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service on July 5, 1864 as a corporal.

Closz, John, Bugler, July 22, 1861. Also Closs. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Transferred Company F to regimental band November 6, 1861. Discharged July 22, 1864 at the expiration of his term of service at Camp 6th Cavalry, VA.

Curthin, John, Bugler, July 22, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service in the field on July 22, 1864 as a bugler.

Dietz, Frank A., Bugler, July 23, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Discharged for disability on January 12, 1863 in Washington, DC, a bugler.

Adams, Benjamin F., Private, November 21, 1864. Born in Montreal, Canada. Enlisted in Cincinatti by CPT Gordon. Deserted October 15, 1865.

Aldrich, William, Private, November 7, 1862. Enlisted in Knoxville, MD by LT Coats. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service on June 20, 1864 as a private.

Archible, John, Private, July 29, 1864. Enlisted in Rochester by LT Simson. Deserted July 24, 1865.

Armbruster, Jacob, Private, July 9, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Discharged July 9, 1864 at the expiration of his term of service, a private.

Bailey, Cloyed, Private, December 10, 1864. Enlisted in Cincinatti by LT Sweatman. Deserted January 31, 1865.

Bailey, George, Private, December 16, 1864. Enlisted in Cincinatti by LT Sweatman. Deserted January 29, 1865.

Baker, Archibald, Private, October 27, 1864. Enlisted in Cincinatti by CPT Gordon. Deserted December 10, 1865.

Balk, Stephen S., Private, July 1, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Dropped by appointment as 2nd LT, 6th US Cavalry, August 26, 1861.

Company F, 6th US Cavalry Roster, Part II

Bappenger, August, Private, July 3, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Discharged July 3, 1864 at the expiration of his term of service at Lighthouse Point, VA, a private.

Barlow, George, Private July 3, 1861. Called "Billy". Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Discharged July 3, 1864 at the expiration of his term of service at Lighthouse Point, VA, a private.

Bates, Butler H., Private, October 25, 1862. From Erie Co, NY. Prior service as private in Company E, 3rd WI Infantry. Enlisted in Knoxville, MD by LT Coats. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service on June 29, 1864 at Camp 6th Cavalry, VA as a private.

Belote, James, Private, October 28, 1862. Enlisted in Knoxville, MD by LT Claflin. Prior service in Company G, 1st MN Infantry. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service on May, 19, 1864 as a private.

Bemis, Joseph G., Private, October 25, 1862. Enlisted in Knoxville, MD by LT Coats. Prior service as private in Company G, 1st MN Infantry. Killed at Fairfield, PA on July 3, 1863.

Besk, John, Private, December 14, 1864. Enlisted in Philadelphia by CPT Rodenbough. Deserted January 29, 1865.

Besser, Adam, Private, July 15, 1861. 27 years old at time of enlistment. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Wounded on July 3, 1863 at Fairfield, PA, saber wound on head. Hospitalized August 4, 1863 in Annapolis, MD. Hospitalized April 9, 1864 at Annaplois Junction, MD. Hospitalized June 7, 1864 at Pittsburgh, PA. Discharged July 25, 1864 at the expiration of his term of service at Lighthouse Point, VA, a private.

Bichler, Thomas, Private, July 11, 1861. Also Behler and Bishler. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Detached duty as butcher Oct 1861. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service on July 11, 1864 at Lighthouse Point, VA, a private.

Blacksmith, Andrew, Private, October 28, 1862. Enlisted in Knoxville, MD by LT Claflin. Enlisted as a private in Company G, 9th PA Reserve Corps on July 24, 1861. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service on July 24, 1864 at Lighthouse Point, VA as a private.

Bock, Jacob, Private, July 15, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Deserted from Camp East of Capitol, Washington on November 28, 1861. Separate record says died of pithias pulmonalis at Washington, DC, a private.

Brooks, Robert F., Private, July 6, 1861. Enlisted at Pittsburgh by LT McLean at age 21. Transferred from Company F to Company C when he was re-enlisted by LT Tupper at Brandy Station on February 8, 1864.

Brown, James, Private, November 22, 1864. Enlisted in Harrisburg, PA by LT McDonald. Deserted July 19, 1865.

Brown, John C., Private, December 16, 1864. Enlisted in Cincinatti by LT Sweatman. Deserted January 26, 1865.

Buck, George, Private, July 26, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Deserted November 21, 1861.

Campbell, Bernard, Private, November 9, 1864. Enlisted in Cincinatti by CPT Gordon. Died of tuberculosis December 3, 1865 at Hicks Hospital, Baltimore, MD, a private.

Center, Charles W., Private, October 22, 1862. Prior service as a private, Company A, 78th NY infantry. Deserted from May 11, 1863.

Charlton Jr., Joseph, Private, July 11, 1861. From Allegheny Co, PA. Born in Newcastle, England. Enlisted at Pittsburgh by LT McLean, age 20. Wounded at Fairfield July 3, 1863. Discharged for disability July 29, 1864 in West Philadelphia.

Closz, Jacob, Private, July 22, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Deserted from Camp Scott, PA on August 25, 1861.

Collins, Robert, Private, July 23, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Deserted August 5, 1861.

Conley, Joseph, Private, November 9, 1864. Enlisted in Cincinatti by CPT Gordon. Deserted December 15, 1864, apprehended December 23, 1864, deserted July 1, 1865.

Conway, Michael, Private, July 3, 1861. Born in County Kerry, Ireland. Enlisted at Pittsburgh by LT McLean, age 32. Injured during training at Camp East of the Capitol when his horse carried him against a limb protruding from a stump, injuring him internally. Died of disease January 1, 1862.

Cook, James, Private, December 23, 1864. Enlisted in New York City by CPT Paulding. Deserted January 27, 1865.

Couse, James, Private, December 24, 1865. Enlisted in New York City by CPT Paulding. Deserted January 31, 1865, apprehended February 3, 1865, deserted February 9, 1865.

Craig, Louis Y., Private, December 7, 1864. Enlisted in Philadelphia by CPT Rodenbough. Deserted February 26, 1865.

Craven, John, Private, July 8, 1861. Born in Galway, Ireland. From Allegheny Co, PA. Ironworker by trade. Discharged for disability 30 July 1863 from General Hospital, Washington, DC, a private.

Daily, Patrick, Private, November 12, 1864. Enlisted in Harrisburg, PA by LT McDonald. Deserted May 27, 1865.

Dann, Almon C., Private, October 28, 1862. Enlisted in Knoxville, MD by LT Claflin. Prior service as a private in Company G, 106th PA Infantry. Transferred from Company F to Company G, date unknown. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service on February 28, 1865 at Winchester, VA, a private.

Davis, Chas., Private, November 16, 1864. Enlisted in Harrisburg, PA by LT McDonald. Deserted May 27, 1865.

Davis, Evan, Private, July 9, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service on July 9, 1864 as a private.

Davis, Sidney M., Private, July 8, 1864. Enlisted at Pittsburgh by LT McLean, age 20. Captured at the battle of Fairfield July 3, 1863. Paroled September 23, 1863 at City Point, Va. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service on July 8, 1864, a private.

Dawson, William I., Private, October 25, 1862. Enlisted as private, Company H, 28 PA Infantry on July 11, 1861. Transferred to 6th US Cav October 25, 1862. Captured at Fairfield July 3, 1863. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service at Lighthouse Point, VA on July 16, 1864, a private.

Dervin, John C., Private, October 25, 1862. Enlisted in Knoxville, MD by LT Coats. Prior service as a private, Company A, 3rd WI Infantry. Discharged June 29, 1864 at the expiration of his term of service at Camp 6th Cavalry, a private.

Drake, Ellis, Private, July 25, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Discharged July 25, 1864 at the expiration of his term of service, a private.

Draker, Christian, Private, July 16, 1861. Born Hanover, Germany. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean, age 31. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service on July 16, 1864 at Lighthouse Point, Va.

Elmer, Henry A., Private, December 24, 1864. Enlisted in Cincinatti by LT Sweatman. Deserted April 22, 1865.

Evans, James, Private, July 22, 1861. Enlisted at Pittsburgh by LT McLean, age 19. Killed at the battle of Funkstown, MD July 7, 1863.

Ewing, John, Private, December 14, 1864. Enlisted in Cincinatti by LT Sweatman. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service on December 14, 1867 at Camp Wilson, TX, a private.

Ferguson, William, Private, July 3, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean, age 32. Deserted from Camp East of Capitol November 21, 1861. Joined from desertion at CEOC December 12, 1861. Discharged July 3, 1864 at Lighthouse Point, VA.

Fisher, William, Private, December 10, 1864. Born in St. Catherine, Canada West. Enlisted in Cleveland by LT Drummond. Deserted January 26, 1865.

Fleischer, Mathias, Farrier, July 3, 1861. Also Matthias Flascher. Born Konigsberg, Germany. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean, age 32. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service at Lighthouse Point, Virginia on July 3, 1864 as a farrier.

Gargan, James, Private, July 6, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Died of fever in Washington, DC on December 3, 1861.

Gargan, Peter, Private, July 6, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Deserted from Camp East of the Capitol on January 27, 1862.

Gipson, Samuel T., Private, September 26, 1864. Enlisted in Cincinnati by CPT Gordon. No further record available.

Gorman, Patrick, Private, October 24, 1862. Enlisted in Knoxville by LT Coats. Reenlisted on February 9, 1864 at Camp 6th Cavalry, VA as a private.

Grener, Adolph, Private, August 15, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Sick in Washington Jan-Feb 1862. Discharged for disability at Washington April 17, 1862.

Grisom, Franklin, Private, November 10, 1864. Enlisted in Cincinnati by CPT Gordon. Deserted July 30, 1865.

Gross, Sebastian, Farrier, August 9, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Discharged for disability on July 29, 1864 in West Philadelphia, PA as a farrier.

Haffner, Louis, Private July 7, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Discharged for disability August 6, 1862 in Washington, DC as a private.

Hargreaves, Henry, Private, July 8, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Deserted to the enemy in November 1862.

Hefler, Charles, Private, July 13, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service at Lighthouse Point, VA on July 13, 1864 as a private.

Company F, 6th US Cavalry Roster, Part III

Henry, Mathew, Private, December 9, 1864. Enlisted in Cincinnati by LT Sweatman. Deserted January 25, 1865.

Heverin, Thomas, Private, December 30, 1861. Enlisted in Cincinnati by LT McLean. Reenlisted July 9, 1864 at Brandy Station, VA by LT Tupper into Company B as a private. Discharged February 10, 1867 at the expiration of his term of service at Austin, TX as a private.

Heyse, Julius, Private, July 6, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Deserted July 8, 1862.

Hoffman, Lewis, Private, July 7, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Discharged for disability August 6, 1862 in Washington, DC as a private.

Hollister, George N., Private, October 28, 1862. From Glastonbury, CN. Enlisted in Knoxville, MD by LT Claflin. Prior service as a private in Company E, 1st MN Infantry. Discharged April 29, 1864 at the expiration of his term at Camp 6th Cavalry, VA as a private.

Hopfengarten, Christian, Private, August 7, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Died of disease October 26, 1862 at Washington, DC. Buried in Military Asylum Cemetery.

Howenstein, George W., Private, October 28, 1862. Enlisted in Knoxville, MD by LT Claflin. Enlisted as a private on May 4, 1861 in Company G, 9th PA Reserve Corps. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service on May 6, 1864 in the field as a private.

Huber, John, Private, October 28, 1862. Enlisted in Knoxville, MD by LT Claflin. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service at Brandy Station, VA on April 28, 1864 as a private.

Irons, James A., Private, July 25, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Deserted from Camp Scott, PA on August 23, 1861.

Jeffcoat, Emanuel, Private, December 31, 1864. Enlisted in New York City by CPT Paulding. Deserted September 27, 1865.

Jefferson, Rufus H., Private, October 28, 1862. Enlisted in Knoxville, MD by LT Claflin. Prior service as a private in Company E, 1st MN Infantry. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service at Lighthouse Point, VA on July 24, 1864.

Jewell, Benjamin H., Private, October 25, 1862. Enlisted in Knoxville, MD by LT Claflin. Prior service as a private in Company G, 1st MN Infantry. Discharged for dysentery on November 16, 1863 from General Hospital No 21 near Richmond, VA as a private.

Keene, Saml., Private, December 16, 1864. Enlisted in Cincinnati by LT Sweatman. Deserted July 31, 1865.

Kelly, John, Private, October 31, 1864. Enlisted in Cincinnati by CPT Gordon. Deserted November 24, 1864.

Kelsey, George B., Private, October 28, 1862. Enlisted in Knoxville, MD by LT Claflin. Prior service in Company E, 1st MN Infantry. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service on May 23, 1864 at Camp 6th Cavalry, VA as a private.

Kettelburger, Jacob, Private, July 26, 1861. Born in Altdorf, Germany. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean, age 21. Died November 18, 1863 of pneumonia while a POW in a general hospital in Richmond as a private.

Kirk, Hugh, Private, July 23, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Deserted January 17, 1863.

Kirk, Peter, Private, December 10, 1864. Enlisted in Cincinnati by LT Sweatman. Deserted January 27, 1865.

Kohlhepp, Wilhelm, Private, July 13, 1861. Also William. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Discharged November 25, 1862 by order of the Secretary of War at Belle Plain, VA as a private.

Kohlmeier, Karl, Saddler, July 23, 1861. Also Charles A. Kohlmeyer. Born in Bavaria on July 4, 1838. Enlistedin Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Discharged in the field at the expiration of his term of service on July 24, 1864.

Larimore, John, Private, October 25, 1862. Enlisted in Knoxville, MD by LT Coats. Prior service as a private in Company B, 3rd WI Infantry. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service on June 29, 1864 at Camp 6th Cavalry, VA as a private.

Leonard, John, Private, July 11,1861. Born in Staffordshire, England. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean, age 22. Discharged on July 10, 1864 at the expiration of his term of service at Light House Point, VA.

Lewis, James T., Private, December 15, 1864. Enlisted in Philadelphia by CPT Rodenbough. Deserted January 26, 1865.

Lewis, William, Private, July 16, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Deserted May 10, 1863.

Luh, Casper, Private, July 3, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service at Lighthouse Point, VA on July 3, 1864 as a private.

Manell, Matthias, Private, October 28, 1862. Enlisted in Knoxville, MD by LT Claflin. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service on June 29, 1864 at Camp 6th Cavalry, VA as a private.

Maenner, Charles, Private, July 15, 1861. Also Maners. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service at Lighthouse Point, VA on July 15, 1864 as a private.

Mariony, Eugene, Private, November 25, 1864. Born in Troy, France. Enlisted in Cincinnati by CPT Gordon. Deserted May 31, 1865.

McAlligott, Charles, Private, July 9, 1861. Born in County Kerry, Ireland. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean, age 20. Deserted July 19, 1863, apprehended October 6, 1863. He was discharged July 9, 1864 at Lighthouse Point, VA as a private.

McHarnas, William, Private, July 11, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service at Lighthouse Point, VA on July 11, 1864 as a private.

McKeefery, Thomas, Private, July 8, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service at Lighthouse Point, VA on July 8, 1864 as a private.

McKibbin, John W., Private, July 6, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service at Lighthouse Point, VA on July 6, 1864 as a private.

Miller, Joseph, Private, October 25, 1862. Enlisted in Knoxville, MD by LT Coats. Enlisted as a private in Company H, 28th PA Infantry on July 11, 1861. Discharged April 25, 1864 at the expiration of his term of service at Lighthouse Point, VA as a private.

Miner, Henry, Private, October 31, 1864. Enlisted in Cincinnati by CPT Gordon. Deserted April 24, 1865.

Mittelstetter, John, Private, July 5, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service on July 5, 1864 as a private.

Montgomery, Thomas, Farrier, October 28, 1862. Enlisted in Knoxville, MD by LT Claflin. Reenlisted on February 9, 1864 at Camp 6th Cavalry, VA by LT Tupper.

Motts, Phillip, Private, October 28, 1862. Enlisted in Knoxville, MD by LT Claflin. Prior service as a private in Company B, 33rd IN infantry. Discharged July 16, 1864 at the expiration of his term of service at Lighthouse Point, VA as a private.

Muller, Gottlieb, Private, July 16, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service on July 16, 1864 as a private.

Murphy, Frederick, Private, November 22, 1864. Enlisted in Harrisburg, PA by LT McDonald. Deserted January 27, 1865. Was shot for desertion at Harpers Ferry, VA on March 3, 1865 per Special Order 20, Middle Military District, dated February 28, 1865.

Murry, Andrew, Private, November 15, 1864. Enlisted in Harrisburg, PA by LT McDonald. Deserted July 30, 1865.

Nellis, Dennis, Private, July 13, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Reenlisted on February 9, 1864 at Brandy Station, VA as a private.

Newell, Alonzo, Private, October 28, 1862. Enlisted in Knoxville, MD by LT Claflin. Prior service as a private in Company K, 3rd WI Infantry. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service on June 29, 1864 at Camp 6th Cavalry, VA as a private.

Nold, Frank X., Private, July 24, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service at Lighthouse Point, VA on July 24, 1864 as a private.

Noon, Martin, Private, November 11, 1864. Enlisted in Cincinnati by CPT Gordon. Deserted on July 30, 1865.

Norris, James, Private, August 29, 1864. Enlisted in Harrisburg, PA by LT McDonald. Deserted on August 21, 1865.

O'Brian, John, Private, December 5, 1864. Also O'Brien. Enlisted in Cincinnati by LT Drummond. Deserted January 10, 1865.

O'Connell, James, Private, July 19, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Deserted October 18, 1861, apprehended September 4, 1863. Discharged February 24, 1864 as sentence of General Court Martial, HQ, Cavalry Corps at Camp 6th Cavalry, VA as a private.

Perveil, Laughton, Private, October 22, 1864. Born in Toronto, Canada. Enlisted in Cleveland, OH by LT Drummond. Deserted April 24, 1865.

Pierce, William A., Private, July 4, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service in the field on July 4, 1864 as a private.

Pinkerton, Eli, Private, November 21, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by CPT Hays. Died of typhoid fever on May 31, 1865 at Judiciary Square Hospital, Washington, DC as a private.

Plate, Henry, Private, July 3, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Deserted to the enemy in November 1862.

Powell, Patrick, Private, July 4, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Deserted August 13, 1863, apprehended October 18, 1863. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service on July 4, 1864 in the field as a private.

Company F, 6th US Cavalry Roster, Part IV

Purath, August, Private, October 25, 1862. Enlisted in Knoxville, MD by LT Coats. Prior service in Company B, 3rd WI Infantry. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service on June 29, 1864 in the field as a private.

Purcell, John, Private, July 3, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Deserted September 1, 1861.

Purcell, Patrick, Private, July 26, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Deserted December 3, 1861.

Reinel, Henry, Private, July 19, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service on July 19, 1864 in the field as a private.

Riely, Henry, Private, July 6, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service on July 6, 1864 as a private.

Ritz, Henry, Private, July 6, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service on July 6, 1864 as a private.

Roehl, Frank, Private, July 16, 1861. Also Rohl. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service on July 16, 1864 as a private.

Ryan, Patrick, Private, November 16, 1864. Enlisted in Cincinnati by CPT Gordon. Deserted May 1, 1865.

Schafer, Sebastian, Private, July 16, 1861. Also Schaler. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Died of disease in Washington, DC on July 18, 1862 as a private.

Scheide, George, Private, July 6, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Discharged due to disease on November 6, 1861 at Washington, DC as a private.

Schilling, Jacob, Private, July 11, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service on July 11, 1864 as a private.

Schilling, John, Private, July 26, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service on July 26, 1864 as a private.

Schilling, William, Private, July 12, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service on July 12, 1864 as a private.

Schmuckler, John, Private, July 9, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Deserted November 21, 1861.

Schnell, Augustus, Private, July 18, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Discharged for disability April 15, 1863 in Baltimore, MD as a private. Enlisted again July 21, 1863 at Harrisburg, PA by LT Cramer into the same company. Discharged May 19, 1865 for disability at Carlisle Barracks, PA as a private.

Schowalter, John, Private, July 9, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Deserted November 30, 1861.

Schumacher, John M., Private, July 29, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Discharged for disability on March 3, 1863 at Camp near Falmouth, VA as a private.

Schwab, John, Private, July 26, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service on July 26, 1864 as a private.

Sebolt, Michael, Private, August 15, 1861. Also Seabolt. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Deserted August 4, 1863, apprehended February 28, 1864. Discharged August 15, 1864 at the expiration of his term of service in the field as a private.

Sharkey, Chas., Private, November 21, 1864. Enlisted in Harrisburg, PA by LT McDonald. Deserted on January 29, 1865.

Simoner, John P., Private, July 6, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service on July 6, 1864 as a private.

Smith, Harve, Private, December 9, 1864. Enlisted at Carlisle Barracks, PA by LT Johnson. Deserted October 5, 1865.

Smith, James, Private, November 21, 1864. Enlisted in Harrisburg, PA by LT McDonald. Deserted January 12, 1865.

Smith, Thomas J., Private, February 11, 1864. Enlisted by LT Tupper at Brandy Station, VA. Died in Salisbury, NC on January 15, 1865 as a private.

Stample, Nicholas, Private, July 23, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service on July 23, 1864 as a private.

Steeb, Michael, Private, July 29, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. No further data available.

Stevens, James P., Private, October 29, 1862. Enlisted in Knoxville, MD by LT Claflin. Enlisted as a private in Company G, 9th PA reserve Corps on May 4, 1861. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service on May 4, 1864 as a private.

Stevens, William C., Private, July 12, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service on July 12, 1864 as a private.

Stewart, James, Private, July 26, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Reenlisted on February 9, 1864 at Brandy Station, VA as a private. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service on February 8, 1867 at Jacksboro, TX.

Strine, Jeremiah, Private, November 12, 1864. Enlisted in Harrisburg, PA by LT McDonald. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service on November 12, 1867 at Camp Wilson, TX as a private.

Sullivan, John, Private, November 3, 1864. Enlisted in Harrisburg, PA by LT McDonald. Deserted December 11, 1864, apprehended December 13, 1864, deserted December 18, 1864.

Sullivan, Thomas, Private, December 14, 1864. Born in Montreal, Canada. Enlisted at Carlisle Barracks, PA by LT Johnson. Deserted May 31, 1865.

Taylor, Lucius S., Private, November 21, 1864. Born in Montreal, Canada. Enlisted in Cincinnati by CPT Gordon. Deserted November 4, 1865.

Termaine, William, Private, November 18, 1864. Also Termayne. Enlisted in Cincinnati by CPT Gordon. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service on November 18, 1867 at Austin, TX as a private.

Thorn, Gustav, Private, October 25, 1862. Enlisted in Knoxville, MD by LT Coats. Prior service as a private in Company B, 3rd WI Infantry. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service on June 29, 1864 at Camp 6th Cavalry, VA as a private.

Uffelmann, Melchior, Private, July 19, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service on July 19, 1864 at Fort Adams, RI, as a private.

Vicell, Spencer, Private, October 25, 1862. Also Viall. Enlisted in Knoxville, MD by LT Coats. Prior service as a private in Company F, 3rd WI Infantry. Killed in action June 9, 1863 near Beverly Ford, VA during Battle of Brandy Station. Born Corydon, PA.

Walter, Harry, Private, November 22, 1864. Enlisted in Cincinnati by CPT Gordon. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service on November 21, 1867 at Camp Wlson, TX as a private.

Warner, John, Private, July 11, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service on July 11, 1864 at Lighthouse Point, VA as a private.

Watson, George, Private, November 21, 1864. Enlisted in Harrisburg, PA by LT McDonald. Deserted January 7, 1865.

Watson, John W., Private, December 5, 1864. Enlisted in Cleveland by LT Drummond. Deserted January 12, 1865.

Webb, Edward C., Private, November 7, 1864. Enlisted in Cincinnati by CPT Gordon. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service on November 7, 1867 at Camp Wilson, TX as a private.

Weisenberger, John, Private, July 15, 1861. Also Weisenbiher. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Discharged for disability on December 2, 1862 at Camp near Falmouth, VA.

Werner, John, Private, July 11, 1861. Enlisted at Pittsburgh by LT McLean. Baker Sep 1861. Baker in commisary Dec 1861-Jan 1862. Post baker, CEOC, Feb 1862. Captured at Funkstown, MD on July 7, 1863. Discharged at the expiration of his term of service on July 11, 1864 at Lighthouse Point, VA as a private.

Weston, John, Private, December 8, 1864. Enlisted in Cleveland by LT Drummond. Deserted January 29, 1865.

Wilkes, David, Private, November 21, 1864. Enlisted in Cincinnati by CPT Gordon. Discharged for disability August 8, 1865.

Williams, Charles, Private, November 7, 1864. Born in Montreal, CAN. Enlisted in Harrisburg, PA by LT McDonald. Deserted November 21, 1864.

Wilson, James L., Private, July 17, 1861. Enlisted in Pittsburgh by LT McLean at age 23. Deserted August 8, 1861.

Wise, George W., Private, October 28, 1862. Enlisted in Knoxville, MD by Lt Claflin. Previously served in Co G, 9th PA Reserve Volunteers. Died of disease at Andersonville Prison on November 15, 1864.

Young, George, Private, December 4, 1864. Enlisted in Philadelphia by CPT Rodenbough. Deserted May 1, 1865.

Merry Christmas!

Happy Holidays to all of my friends and readers, regardless of your religious persuasion! We actually had a party this year on Festivus, though not in honor of the holiday, as I'm apparently the only one in the family who remembers that episode from Seinfeld.

As you're celebrating the holidays with friends and loved ones, please take a moment to remember those serving overseas who don't have that opportunity this holiday season and keep them in your prayers.

I hope everyone is getting a chance to spend some relaxing quality time with their families, and hopefully some quiet moments for reflection as well.

Fiddler's Green: Adolphus Lapoint

Taking a much needed break from the 6th Cavalry, I thought I'd write a bit about one of the Canadian-born regular cavalrymen who fought during the war and after.

Adolphus Lapoint was born in Three Rivers, Canada in 1840. He moved to New York upon reaching adulthood, and was living in Granwich, New York and working as a shoemaker according to the 1850 census. Adolphus was working as a lumberman in New York at the outbreak of the Civil War, and enlisted in Company A, 93rd NY Infantry during the first week of September 1861.

By the fall of 1862, Adolphus had apparently reached the conclusion that infantry life wasn't for him. He was enlisted into Company E, 4th US Cavalry by 1st Lieutenant Joseph Hedges on October 21, 1862 at Pleasant Valley, Maryland. His enlistment documents describe him as 5'8" tall, with blue eyes, blond hair, and a dark complexion.

Cavalry life agreed better with Adolphus, and he was reenlisted into the same regiment and company by 1st Lieutenant Thomas W. Sullivan in Nashville, Tennessee on March 1, 1864. He remained with the regiment through the end of the war and its subsequent movement to Texas. He was again reenlisted into the regiment by 1st Lieutenant Justinian Alman at Brownsville, Texas on January 1, 1867.

Private Adolphus Lapoint drowned on January 4, 1868 after falling from a dam on the Ouachita River in Texas.

Who Says You Can't Take Them With You?

I posted sometime back about regular army officers taking favored enlisted men with them to volunteer units when they received volunteer appointments. The initial discussion was here about Captain J. Irvin Gregg of Company G, 6th US Cavalry, and how he had his first sergeant, Andrew F. Swan, commissioned after he took over the 16th Pennsylvania Cavalry. Captain Swan commanded Company C.

Apparently the tendency ran in the family. When Captain Gregg's first cousin, David McMurtry Gregg, left Company E to command the 8th Pennsylvania Cavalry, he took one of his enlisted men with him also.

Henry J. Ladd was born in Rome, New York in 1832. His enlistment documents describe him as 6 feet tall, with hazel eyes, brown hair and a ruddy complexion. He was working as a conductor at the time of his enlistment. Henry was enlisted into Company E, 6th US Cavalry by Lieutenant Wade in Cleveland, Ohio on August 14, 1861. He achieved the rank of commisary sergeant prior to his discharge on July 19, 1862 to accept an appointment as the second lieutenant in Company L, 8th Pennsylvania Cavalry at Harrison's Landing, Virginia.

There could be some other reason for this appointment other than the regimental commander's intercession, but I haven't been able to come up with another plausible one. I can't find any other connection between someone born in New York and working in Ohio with a Pennsylvania regiment. The arrangement apparently didn't work out, as Lieutenant Ladd was discharged for unknown reasons on April 27, 1863.

In another case, I have truned up several members of the 6th and 2nd Cavalry regiments who were enlisted into Adjutant General Office positions as sergeants later in the war by Major Lawrence Williams, who left the regiment in 1862 under dubious circumstances. Several of these sergeants received government positions shortly thereafter. More on this as I turn up more information.

Contemporary Account of Stoneman's Raid

We turned up a contemporary newspaper account of Stoneman's Riad in a Pennsylvania newspaper recently that I thought interesting. I considered saving it for posting in May, then considered the likelihood of me forgetting all about it by then and decided to put it up now. Unfortunately, I don't know who the "one who accompanied it" is. This article was originally published in the may 21, 1863 edition of The Alleghenian:

"Stoneman’s Great Cavalry Expedition

The following account of Gen. Stoneman’s remarkable expedition comes from one who accompanied it:

Gen. Stoneman with 2,700 picked men and a light battery of six pieces composed of a section selected from three batteries with special reference to procuring the best horses and men, started on the raid which has now become famous.

On the 13th of April, owing to heavy rains and various other circumstances, he did not cross the Rappahannock until ten days or a fortnight afterward. At the time of the crossing, General Averill started with a column along the end of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad with the intention of driving Lee and Hampton who were in that vicinity to Culpepper and Gordonsville, thus clearing the way for Gen. Stoneman’s body of cavalry who were to accomplish the real objects of the expedition.

General Stoneman crossed the Rappahannock at two places below where Gen. Averill crossed and advanced on the Shepherdsburg road. Sending out a party to reconnoiter toward Shepherdsburg, they came upon the rear pickets of the enemy who were in force between Stevensburg and the railroad with Gen. Averill in front. The nature of Gen. Stoneman’s expedition did not allow of his remaining there to fight, as to seek a battle would prevent the accomplishment of his designs; he therefore moved on to Raccoon Ford upon the advance. Reaching this place they found it defended by infantry and artillery. A detachment was therefore sent to cross the Rappahannock at a point some distance below Raccoon Ford and then to attack the enemy in the flank and rear. This was successfully accomplished and the main body crossed safely at Raccoon Ford. The command then proceeded down the direct road to Louisa Court House, sending out parties along every intersecting road to destroy bridges and telegraph wires and to obtain forage and provisions.

The bridges over unfordable streams, on the direct road, were left to be guarded by detachments in case they were required as a line of retreat. Reaching Louisa Court House on the line of the Virginia Central Railroad, expeditions were sent out along the road in either direction to destroy the road, telegraphs, burn the water tanks, depots and railroad ties. The expedition toward Gordonsville encountered a force of the enemy, who, by this time, had been driven from Culpepper and Gordonsville by Averill, who did not, however, effect a junction with Stoneman as directed. The enemy were in such force that re-enforcements were sent out and the Rebels were driven back to Gordonsville.
The destruction of the road was completed and a party proceeded to tear up the railroad between Gordonsville and Charlottesville. Parties were also sent out from Louisa Court House to destroy the bridges over the North Anna River. The command then proceeded through Sauceyville and rendezvoused at Thompson’s Crossroads.

From there three expeditions were sent out – one along the South Anna River to destroy the bridges across this unfordable stream; another to destroy the Fredericksburg and Richmond Railroad from Ashland down; also the railroad from Richmond to Hanover Court House to get as near Richmond as possible, and if practicable to cross over to Pamunky River, destroying such bridges as it was practicable to destroy and then to proceed down the Peninsula to West Point; the third expedition was to strike the James River at Columbia, break the locks of the canal and destroy the bridges as far down the river as might be. This expedition was to cross a small force over the James at Carterville and pass down and destroy the railroad bridge on the Richmond and Lynchburg Road, over the Appatuattox [as spelled in newspaper] River.

Gathering the balance of his force together at Thompson’s Cross roads, Gen. Stoneman prepared to return. By this time, Stuart, Lee and Hampton were in pursuit of the audacious party. The forces of the latter two were driven in the direction of Charlottesville and Stuart was drawn off in the direction of Guiney’s Station, by an apparent diversion of our forces in that direction.

Having thus separated Stuart’s command, Gen. Stoneman started on his return between the two bodies along the same route he went out. His scouting parties encountered the enemy’s infantry pickets on the road to Spotsylvania Court House but the command succeeded in safely re-crossing the Rapidan and Rappahannock Rivers, swimming the latter.

The feat of getting the artillery across the latter stream, the horses swimming and drawing the guns, is certainly worthy of notice. Only one man was lost by drowning.

The success of the whole expedition is mainly due to the deception practiced upon the inhabitants.

The force was everywhere magnified and, by scattering in small parties, the delusion was completed by dividing the command into different expeditions. They were enabled to supply themselves with forage and provisions and thus live upon the country through which they passed. Their pack-mules were sent back the first day out, and officers and men only carried what they could upon their horses.

For two days and three nights they never built a fire. In many places they camped as though intending to remain, giving out that they were merely the advance guard of the main army.

With telegraphic communication destroyed and railroads interrupted, this was only too readily believed. The inhabitants were paroled and sent to Richmond. The officers captured were detained as prisoners; among these was Major Johnston of Gen. Stuart’s staff.

At one place, two large houses were found, filled with hams. What of this was not needed was destroyed. Twelve hundred hogsheads of tobacco were also captured, most of which were burned. Such horses as could be found were taken and those worn out by the march were left in their places.

Gen. Stoneman reports large quantities of supplies in Albemarie county, gathered there by the inhabitants. It was to protect these that Lee and Hampton proceeded in that direction.

It is estimated that the total number of miles traveled by the different expeditions will exceed one thousand.

The men return in the best of spirits though of course, considerably fatigued by their march. It seems almost incredible that the battery should have made the entire march with the main body, and returned without accident. The roads were in wretched condition and all the streams considerably swollen. During the whole time Gen. Stoneman has had no communication with General Hooker’s army."

Fiddler's Green: John Peffer

I received a request for information on an ancestor in the comments section without any contact info, so I'll post it here in hopes the requester will see it.

John Peffer originally enlisted in Company F, 8th Ohio Volunteer Infantry on June 22, 1861. Born in Buffalo, New York, he was 20 at the time of his enlistment. The following year, he was one of hundreds of volunteers who joined regular cavalry regiments.

John was enlisted into Company B, 6th US Cavalry in Knoxville, Maryland by Lieutenant Claflin on October 28, 1862 for the balance of his three year term. His enlistment documents describe him as 5'7 1/2" inches tall, with dark hair, dark eyes and a light complexion. He was discharged at the expiration of his term of service in the field in virginia on June 22, 1864 as a private.

Reinforcements for the Regulars redux

I've posted before on the way that the Regular regiments, cavalry and otherwise, received replacements during the war. The bulk of those posts focused on the volunteers which joined by the hundreds following the Antietam campaign from October to December 1862. For the cavalry regiments particularly, these replacements helped bring the Regular regiments close to their authorized strength.

There was, however, a catch. All of these volunteers enlisted in the Regular units for the remainder of their initial enlistment, not a fresh three year term. This was the same time period that the initial enlistments were running out for all of the 6th US Cavalry's personnel. As a result, the Reserve Brigade withered away during the summer months of 1864, losing literally hundreds of men per month. By the end of the summer, these regiments were shadows of their former selves, some literally reduced to the authorized strength of a company or two.

This led to a second wave of reinforcements for the Regulars during the fall/ winter of 1864. This wave, however, was much less effective than the first. This time, nearly all of the replacements were new soldiers, not veterans transferring from other units. Many of them were either draftees or substitutes for draftees. Surprisingly, roughly 20% of these replacements were born in Canada. An estimated 40,000 Canadians fought in the war, but this was the first time that I'd noticed them in any numbers.

The vast majority of them came from recruiting centers in Cincinatti, Harrisburg and Philadelphia, manned by veteran Regular officers who were often recovering from wounds. In Cincinatti, Captain David S. Gordon of the 2nd US Cavalry and 1st Lieutenant Robert Sweatman of the 5th US Cavalry figure prominently in the enlistment records. In Harrisburg it was Lieutenant John McDonald and in Philadelphia Captain Theophilus Rodenbough, both of the 2nd US Cavalry.

Unfortunately, the second wave wasn't nearly as effective as the first wave. Many of them had deserted before the spring campaign even started. The majority of them deserted during the summer of 1865, apparently deciding that their service should end once the war did. From the records that I've seen so far, roughly 25% of those who enlisted during this period completed their enlistments.

Fiddler’s Green: Theophilus F. Rodenbough

This is an entry that I've been working on for quite some time, off and on. Some of the sources were hard to find, and there were always "a couple more things" that I wanted to check on or delve deeper into before I posted it. So here at long last is the entry on someone whom I greatly admire.

Theophilus Francis Rodenbough was born on November 5, 1838 in Easton, Pennsylvania. He was the eldest of two sons of Charles Rodenbough, a wiring manufacturer, and Emily Cauffman of Philadelphia. He attended private schools, had private tutors, and completed a course of English literature and mathematics at Lafayette College in 1837.

At the outbreak of the Civil War, President Lincoln appointed Rodenbough a second lieutenant in the 2nd Regiment of Dragoons on March 27, 1861, at the request of Andrew H. Reeder. Reeder, a native and fellow resident of Easton, was prominent in the Republican Party for his service as the governor of Kansas in the late 1850s.

Lieutenant Rodenbough was initially assigned to Company E, but several months would pass before he joined the regiment. He served as the post adjutant and quartermaster of Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania until January 1862. He was promoted to first lieutenant in the 2nd Dragoons on May 14, 1861.

When he finally joined the regiment in January 1862, he was assigned to Company H. He immediately assumed command of the company as its assigned captain, Alfred Pleasonton, was on detached service. During the peninsula campaign he commanded Company H and often the squadron consisting of it and its sister company. He distinguished himself on several occasions, most notably during the battle of Gaines Mill. He was promoted to captain in the 2nd US Cavalry on July 17, 1862.

He and his company were part of Captain Thomas Hight’s squadron captured by Fitz Lee’s brigade following the second battle of Bull Run on August 31, 1862. He was paroled a week later, and exchanged on September 21, 1862 at Aiken’s Landing, Virginia for Samuel Y. Finley of the 6th Florida Infantry.

Recognized for his ability despite this setback, he was assigned to command one of the regiment’s two new companies, Company L, when they were authorized on September 24, 1862. He was sent north Pleasant Valley, Maryland to recruit and organize his company October 1862 to January 1863. He and his new company spent the remainder of the winter on picket duty near Falmouth, Virginia.

Captain Rodenbough and Company L participated in Stoneman’s Raid, during which he led a column of nearly 300 members of his own regiment and the 5th U.S. Cavalry to destroy a bridge over the South Anna River near Louisa Court House. The following month, he was slightly wounded and had two horses shot out from under him at Beverly Ford during the battle of Brandy Station on June 9, 1863.

When regimental commander Wesley Merritt was promoted to brigadier general later that month, Rodenbough assumed command of the regiment. This left his company without officers, as he had been the only officer present since Stoneman’s Raid. Captain Gordon returned to take command of the regiment on July 6th. Rodenbough served with distinction throughout the Gettysburg campaign, including actions at Upperville, Williamsport, Boonsboro, Funkstown, Falling Waters, Manassas Gap and again at Brandy Station at the end of July.

He accompanied the regiment and the rest of the brigade to Camp Buford at Giesboro Point for refitting in September, where he finally received additional officers for his company. His first lieutenant was a guest at Libby Prison, but his second lieutenant, Charles McMasters, was previously featured in a Fiddler’s Green entry. Captain Rodenbough spent the winter of 1863 performing picket duty with his regiment near Brandy Station. At times during the fall and winter, he performed as an “acting field officer,” according to the regimental muster rolls.

Rodenbough was again in command of his regiment for the beginning of Sheridan’s cavalry campaign in the spring of 1864. He was commended for his performance at Todd’s Tavern, as well as fighting in engagements at Culpeper Court House and Old Church during the spring.

Captain Rodenbough led the advance of the Regular Brigade with his regiment at the battle of Trevillian Station on June 11, 1864. He was wounded during the battle, and turned command of the regiment over to Captain David Stanley. In 1893, he was awarded the Medal of Honor for the battle. His citation reads “for distinguished gallantry in action at Trevillian Station, Va., June 11, 1864, where he was severely wounded while handling his regiment with skill and valor.”

Rodenbough was back in command of his regiment several weeks later, and led his regiment in the great charge that decided the battle of Opequon or Third Winchester on September 19, 1864. He was severely wounded in the right arm and his horse killed while leading the regiment’s charge. His right arm was amputated later that day.

First Sergeant Conrad Schmidt of Company K rode forward and rescued his wounded commander, earning a Medal of Honor. The citation reads “Went to the assistance of his Regimental Commander, whose horse had been killed under him in a charge, mounted the officer behind him, under a heavy fire from the enemy, and returned him to his command.” First Sergeant Schmidt’s actions served as the inspiration for the painting “Sergeant’s Valor” by Don Stivers.

Captain Rodenbough was brevetted major, regular army, for gallant and meritorious services during this battle. Following the battle, he served on general recruiting service in Philadelphia until April 1865 while recuperating from his wounds.

Rodenbough was brevetted lieutenant colonel on March 13, 1865 for gallant and meritorious service during the war, and colonel on the same date for gallantry and meritorious service in the battle of Todd’s Tavern, Virginia. He was further brevetted brigadier general, regular army, for gallant and meritorious service in the battle of Cold Harbor. In his recommendation for this brevet, General Sheridan wrote the following:

“Colonel Rodenbough was one of the most gallant and valuable young officers, under my command, in the Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac. He was constantly in the field with his regiment, the 2d U.S. Cavalry (a portion of that time in command of it), from the spring of ’62 up to the time of his being wounded whilst gallantly leading his regiment at the battle of the Opequan, September 19, 1864.” On April 13, 1865, he was brevetted brigadier general of volunteers for gallant and meritorious service during the war.

Rodenbough was granted a leave of absence from the regular army at the recommendation of General Sheridan to accept the colonelcy of the 18th Pennsylvania Cavalry on April 29, 1865. Rodenbough was transferred from the regiment to command the 3rd Provisional Cavalry (Pennsylvania), a provisional brigade consisting of regular and volunteer units, on June 24, 1865. He served there and in command of the district of Clarksburg, West Virginia until honorably mustered out of volunteer service on October 31, 1865.

Returning to his regular army rank of captain, Rodenbough served on Major General Dodge’s staff during the winter of 1865 as the inspector general for army forces in Kansas and the territories at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He then rejoined his regiment at Fort Ellsworth, Kansas in May 1866 and was employed with his company constructing Fort Harker until September 1866.

Upon the reorganization of the army in the summer of 1866, he was promoted to major of the new 42nd US Infantry on July 28, 1866. He was involved in organizing the regiment from September to November 1866, then commanded the post of Plattsburg Barracks until the following December. He subsequently commanded the post of Madison Barracks, New York until 1869.

Major Rodenbough also served on boards for the selection of a magazine fed gun, the examination of officers, and reportedly “the investigation of the case of the first colored cadet at West Point.” I assume this indicates the court martial of Lieutenant Henry O. Flipper of the 10th U.S. Cavalry in 1870, but could not locate verification of this.

Rodenbough retired from the army at his own request at the rank of colonel on December 15, 1870, “with the full rank of the command held when wounded.” He was retired again, as a Brigadier General, U.S.A., on April 23, 1904, according to that year’s Army Register.

Theophilus Rodenbough married Elinor Frances Foster in New York City on September 1, 1868. Their eldest daughter died in childhood. His son, James Foster Rodenbough, was living in Easton and working as a civil engineer with the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company at the time of his father’s death. His daughter, Nina, married and lived in New York City.

Following his retirement, Rodenbough became the most prominent American cavalry historian of the 19th Century. His books began with a history of his regiment with From Everglade to Canyon with the Second Dragoons in 1875. Other works included Afghanistan or the Anglo-Russian Dispute (1882), Uncle Sam’s Medal of Honor (1887), The Bravest Five Hundred of ‘Sixty-one (1891), August Leaves from Family Trees (1892), and Sabre and Bayonet (1897). The Bravest Five Hundred and Sabre and Bayonet were revisions of his earlier work on Uncle Sam's Medal of Honor. His most ambitious work culminated in 1896 with the release of The Army of the United States: Historical Sketches of Staff and Line with Portraits of Generals-In-Chief, which he edited with active duty Major William Haskin. He also authored several articles in the Cavalry Journal, and served on the editing committee of the history of the 18th Pennsylvania Cavalry published in 1909. His final literary efforts were in editing several volumes of the ten volume Photographic History of the Civil War, published in the year of his death.

In addition to his writing, Rodenbough held many prominent positions following his retirement. He served as the Deputy Governor of the U.S. Soldiers’ Home in Washington, D.C. through the end of 1871. He then worked as the General eastern Agent of the Pullman Car Company from 1872 to 1873. From 1876 to 1877, Rodenbough was the Associate Editor of the Army and Navy Journal and the Corresponding Secretary of the Society of the Army of the Potomac in 1878. He was an assistant inspector general for the state of New York from 1879 to 1882. He worked from 1878 to 1893 on the Journal of the Military Service Institution of the United States as secretary, then editor and vice president. He was also the Chief of the Bureau of Elections for the city of New York from 1890 to 1892.

Theophilus F. Rodenbough died in New York City on December 19, 1912. He is buried in Easton, Pennsylvania.

Sources:

Heitman, Francis B. Historical Register and Dictionary of the United States Army (Washington: Government Printing Office, 1903), page 529.

Henry, Guy V. Military Record of Army and Civilian Appointments in the United States Army, Volume I (New York: D. Van Nostrand Publishing, 1873), pg 434.

Pierce, Frederick Clifton. Foster Genealogy. New York: Press of W.B. Conkey Company, 1899. Pages 973-974.

Rodenbough, Theophilus F. Autumn Leaves from Family Trees. New York: Clark & Zugall, 1892. Pages 153-155.

Rodenbough, Theophilus F. From Everglade to Canyon with the Second United States Cavalry (New York: D. Van Nostrand, 1875)

Rodenbough, Theophilus F., ed. History of the Eighteenth regiment of cavalry, Pennsylvania volunteers New York: Wynkoop Hallenbeck Crawford Co., 1909.

Wittenberg, Eric J. Glory Enough For All. Washington, D.C.: Brassey’s, Inc., 2002.

Wittenberg, Eric J. The Union Cavalry Comes of Age. Washington, D.C.: Brassey’s, Inc., 2003.

What's With All the Digital History Chatter?

The discussion about the role of digital history continues on several blogs, most notably Cenantua's Blog and Bull Runnings. I made some of the comments below on Robert's blog this morning, but wanted to get them up here for those who don't do "comment-delving".

Someone, I think it was harry, made the observation that no "established historians" (I put it in quotes to forestall the discussion on what the term means and who it should encompass, not to belittle said individuals in any fashion) had as yet joined the discussion. In all fairness, they may simply be unaware of it. I think it would be very interesting to hear what someone like the folks at Civil Warriors have to say about the discussion, but I agree with Robert that it’s interesting enough in its own right. These discussions have made me spend many hours thinking about such things when I otherwise might not have.

After looking at Robert’s and Harry’s sides of the discussion and spending a great deal of time thinking about them, I still find myself somewhere in the middle. I (now) see Robert’s points about the potential for web-based history, and different directions that it can go. The possibilities are fascinating, and limitless for those with the proper training. Enough so, in fact, that Craig Swain and I have been discussing a limited scale virtual battlefield experiment. At the same time, I appreciate Harry’s points about the value of narrative history.

Despite the approach utilized, I think sooner or later it's going to come back to narrative history in some form or fashion. Even the virtual battlefield is going to offer some sort of narrative history at some point, I believe. Younger folks may go right after the animation-centric parts of a site, while more mature viewers will key in on the more traditional narrative.

And I don't see anything wrong with this. The point of the whole exercise, after all, is to bring more people to view the history. And if it does that, through narrative, animation, virtual experience or anything else, then I'm all for it. As long as it remains properly researched and sourced history.

Digital History Blogging --- Format

As noted here and elsewhere, there’s been quite a discussion going on in the blogosphere about blogging, digital history and their relationships. Commentary can be found at Bull Runnings, Cenantua’s Blog, Draw the Sword, and others. The result has been an extremely interesting and illuminating discussion on the possible roles of blogging and digital history. It’s even spawned a wiki for further group discussion, thanks to Brian Downey. This posting is intended to address presentation format, not content.

Robert over at Cenantua’s Blog had an excellent post yesterday on formal and informal digital history. My concept of digital history at the beginning of discussion was that formal digital history is a completed work able to stand on its own that usually has its own website. A blog is an online journal, which by its very nature is an informal medium. At first blush, the two don’t appear to mix. The aforementioned Mr. Downey, for example, separates his formal work to the Antietam on the Web website, while his more informal postings appear on his blog, Behind Antietam on the Web. Both sides are great, but they're separate.

As in most cases, however, there is middle ground. Someone (I think it was Robert or Harry) recently coined the phrase “information compilation blog.” I didn’t particularly care for the title at first, but after some thought it describes my blog’s goal. Several good ones out there include Bull Runnings, Draw the Sword and To the Sound of the Guns. I hadn’t really done much comparison, but the more I looked into it, the more convinced I became that a blog is not necessarily exclusively informal. Some are intentionally informal, those that take the more traditional path of the blog as web journal. Others try to be more formal and present only “finished” pieces. Some, such as Eric’s Rantings of a Civil War Historian, do both as the mood strikes. That’s only fair, it’s the author’s blog to do with as he or she wills.

All types definitely have their place. Robert had an excellent point yesterday about the value of being able to “look over the historian’s shoulder” and get an idea of what they’re seeing and thinking through their blog as they’re writing their books. I couldn’t agree more, as such posts are some of my favorites from Eric’s blog. Others have deliberately developed this hybrid blog that is both formal and informal.

I am now convinced that an information compilation blog will be most effective as one of these hybrids. I shy away from “musts” and “shoulds,” as any author is free to do with their blog as they will, but I truly believe this is the most effective way to convey the information for such a blog. I didn’t realize it at first because I thought of it as simply a hobby, but I write this blog for readers. I’m trying to make information available, to educate those who wish to learn more about my subject. Since this is the case, I should make that information as readily available to the reader as possible. If it’s difficult for the reader to locate information on my blog, it’s not being effective.

Thus, I think the optimal format, in my particular case, is a blend of formal pages of information with informal postings on whatever I deem appropriate. The formal postings, since they are intended as history, should be correctly attributed and cited. Several blogging programs out there (not unfortunately, this one) provide the ability to post to pages within the blog, so I’ll be looking into them. I don’t think posting itself will change a great deal, but how the information is stored on the site will.

Christmas in November

Every once in a while, the stars line up just right and provide a real treat, usually when one isn't looking for it. I was incredibly fortunate this weekend, one of those nice coincidences that make me eager to see the sunrise each morning.

It all started with a need for some quality adult time with my wife. We have a 17 month old, so there aren't huge amounts of adult time. Not that I don't love the little guy to death and spoil him unmercifully, but any parents out there know what I'm talking about. Also, work's been an absolute bear lately -- one day off last pay period, two days the one before that. So we prevailed upon grandma and grandpa to babysit (which unsurprisingly required absolutely no armtwisting) so we could go to lunch and goof around town for a couple of hours.

My wife wanted to have lunch at a place she was very familiar with downtown where I hadn't been. As we walked up to the place, I noticed a used bookstore right next door. I mentioned that we'd have to stop in after lunch. We had a very good lunch (she's nearly always right about restaurants), and she reminded me as we were leaving that I wanted to look in the bookstore before we went home. It's small, independently owned store, and has only been open for a couple of months.

As we walked in the door, I noticed some volumes of the Official Records along the top of the bookcases across the room. I'm enough of a Civil War junkie that my wife even recognized them on sight and asked, "Are those what I think they are?" I agreed that they were and strolled over to take a look while she chatted with the owner. Once I reached the shelf, I saw that they were volumes 1-20. Curious. I turned around, and there they were down the tops of the bokkcases on the other wall. It was an entire set, well over half of them still in shrink-wrap. Definitely not something I ever expected to see in Colorado.

The OR's something I've always enjoyed, in an abstract sort of way. I've used it extensively in college libraries, and my wife bought me a cd version a couple of years ago for Christmas. But I like books. I like the feel of them, the smell of them. Being able to pull up reports from the cd is nice, but it's not the same as being able to open a book and look at them in print. Call me old-fashioned. One way is faster, the other is more fun to me. But I digress.

I never thought I'd own a full set, didn't really think it would be practical. I've collected a few individual volumes that specifically interested me such as the ones on Gettysburg, Chancellorsville and Wilson's Creek, and always have an eye out for others that might help my research. particularly on the Western Theater. But the whole thing? 130 volumes? Where would you put them all? And it would be price-prohibitive. $3,500 plus shipping from North Carolina? Not going to happen. But this is, after all, what libraries are for.

So we looked around the store, found a couple of books (for some reason I've never read Sears' Gettysburg, but I have it now), and went up to the counter to check out. I asked him idly how much the volumes of the OR that he had on display were.

"Well," he said. "I resolved when I moved from my last location to this one that I was going to be a book seller, not a book collector. Now that is a complete set, and it's a lot of books, but I'll sell it to you for $x."

My wife looked at me. I very carefully did not look at my wife. We talked with him some more and then left, promising to return. The Civil War section was small but pretty good, and he has a really good collection of westward expansion books (my undergrad concentration). Trying to encourage return visits, the owner gave my wife a 20% off card for her next visit.

So we get into the car to drive home, and my wife asks, "That was a really good price, wasn't it?" Carefully watching the road, I replied that it was an extremely good price, and how much the set would cost new. She mulled this over for a half a block or so before telling me to turn around, that I'd better appreciate this, that it would be my present for Christmas, anniversary, etc. And back we went.

After telling me to check and make sure the set was complete, she talked to the owner. Veteran shopper that she is, she not only got the set at the already low price, she talked him into giving her the 20% off as well. So I am now the proud owner of an entire set of the OR for the price of just over $500 including tax.

Yes, my wife is pretty wonderful. Not only has she tolerated my time and space-consuming hobby, she has aided and abetted it. This is truly above and beyond the call of duty. And she even thought it necessary to ask if she'd spoiled my Christmas because I knew what I was getting!

My son will get to learn about the Civil War from the OR, from the comfort of his own home. Between these and the copy of the Golden Book I found last summer, I figure he's a lock for a Civil War scholar. And I plan on spending just a little bit of time with them in the meantime. Now I just have to figure out where to put them all.

Move to the Sound of the Guns

Craig Swain has a couple of fantastic posts on forming Civil War databases over on his blog To the Sound of the Guns. It's a little bit of a stretch to follow it all, but I'm definitely learning things. Hopefully it will help with the 6th US Cavalry history project that I seem to be neck-deep in.

These two posts aside, I still heartily recommend Craig's site. The Historical Marker Database is growing by the day.

What Makes A "First String" Cavalry Leader?

I've recently tried to explore on a couple of the discussion boards why the Union cavalry in the western theater was perceived to be led by the "second string". I think there are several reasons for this, among them, the fact that the theater was (and continues to be) overshadowed by the war in the east and the fact that late in the war it was where unpopular and unsuccessful cavalry leaders were sent. I have a theory or two about this, but the thought that has been pestering me all day is a working definition of what differentiates a "first string" cavalryman from the "second string."

With a few moments' thought, I can easily come up with several examples of cavalry leaders that I would consider first string: Buford, Stuart, Hampton, David Gregg, and Minty, to name a few. So what is it that characterizes these leaders?

Here are a few items for my litmus test just off the top of my head, I'm sure we can come up with others.
1. Aggressively maintain contact with the enemy
2. Keep higher headquarters informed over time
3. Ability to "read the brown" when looking at maps and visualize terrain and how it affected movement (ex: use of gaps and passes during the retreat/pursuit from Gettysburg)
4. Willingness to fight for intelligence when necessary

The Union cavalry division commanders during the Gettysburg campaign are a good example, the corps commander (Pleasonton) not so much. Minty and Wilder at Chickamauga are others, though Wilder commanded mounted infantry not cavalry. I personally don't think Sheridan is, primarily due to the Wilderness when he left his boss all but blind about the enemy to his immediate front.

I'm very curious about others' thoughts on what made first string leaders, and who you think would make the team. There is no limit on numbers other than by qualification.

More Effective Blogging

There's a great discussion going on about different ways to store information on blogs and how to make them more useable to researchers over at Harry Smeltzer's Bull Runnings, for anyone who might be interested. The link is right here.

I've been very intrigued by some of the ideas there, which could cause a chgange of address for this blog over the holidays. Stay tuned for more information.

Fiddler’s Green: Isaac M. Ward

Isaac M. Ward was born in Scott County, Kentucky in 1834. He attended local schools and worked as a bootmaker prior to his enlistment in the army. Isaac was enlisted into Company A, 1st US Cavalry by Lieutenant Riddick in Decatur, Ohio on January 26, 1857. His enlistment documents describe him as 5’6” tall, with light hair, hazel eyes, and a fair complexion.

Ward served for the next four years on the frontier in Company A, receiving promotions to corporal and sergeant. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he accompanied his regiment as it moved to Washington, DC. After Company A reached Washington, he was appointed a second lieutenant in the 6th US Cavalry on October 23, 1861. The 6th US Cavalry's acting commander, Lieutenant Colonel William Emory had commanded the 1st Cavalry at the outbreak of the war, and may have had something to do with the appointment.

Lieutenant Ward joined his new regiment that same month, and was assigned to Company A. The following month he was assigned to Company F, where he served through the peninsula campaign. He trained with the regiment throughout the winter of 1861, and accompanied them to the peninsula for their first campaign the following March.

In August 1862, Lieutenant Ward was assigned as an aide de camp to General Pleasonton, on whose staff he served until the following April. Ward was promoted to first lieutenant on October 20, 1862. He returned to his regiment in April 1863, just in time to command Company A during Stoneman’s raid.

Lieutenant Ward was killed at the head of his squadron of Companies A and M near Beverly Ford during the battle of Brandy Station on June 9, 1863. The squadron was charging in support of a flanked line of the regiment’s skirmishers. He was shot through the chest while attempting to capture a Confederate battle flag in close fighting. He is buried at Culpeper National Cemetery in Culpeper, Virginia.

Sources:

Carter, From Yorktown to Santiago, pages 86

Crouch, Richard E. Brandy Station, page 241

Enlistment documents, Isaac M. Ward

Heitman, page 1001

Henry, Volume II, page 215

Fiddler’s Green: James F. Wade

James Franklin Wade was born in Jefferson, Ohio on April 14, 1843. His father, Senator Benjamin F. Wade, was a senator from Ohio during the Civil War, and a harsh critic of President Lincoln. Following Lincoln’s assassination, he was President Johnson’s acting vice president, and came within one vote of becoming president. Had Andrew Johnson been impeached, Wade would have succeeded him as president.

James was educated in local schools and working in the community when he received an appointment as a 2nd lieutenant in the 6th US Cavalry from the state of Ohio on May 14, 1861, which he accepted on June 24, 1861. His initial assignment was as a recruiting officer for the regiment in his home state. He was responsible for recruiting the majority of Company B, primarily from Cleveland and Columbus, through October 1861. Upon joining the regiment, oddly enough, he was assigned to Captain Charles Russell Lowell’s Company K.

Lieutenant Wade trained with his regiment during the winter of 1861-1862, learning his new trade. When the regiment went to war on the peninsula in the spring, however, he was transferred to the staff of Brigadier General Emory, commander of the 1st Brigade of the Cavalry Reserve of the Army of the Potomac. He returned to the regiment following the campaign. By October 1862, he was commanding the company, as Captain Lowell had been assigned to General McClellan’s staff.

Lieutenant Wade continued to command company K through the winter and the spring of 1863, including Stoneman’s Raid in May. He performed exceptionally well at the battle of Brandy Station, earning a brevet promotion to captain on June 9, 1863 for gallant and meritorious service at Beverly Ford, Virginia. Following Brandy Station, he and his company were detached from the regiment for service at Cavalry Corps headquarters. The company was returned to the regiment following the battle of Fairfield, but Wade remained on special duty on General Pleasonton’s staff for the next several months.

Lieutenant Wade was appointed lieutenant colonel of the 6th US Colored Cavalry on May 1, 1864. This marked the beginning of 23 years of service as a leader of colored cavalrymen. On September 19th, he was promoted to colonel and command of the regiment. He received a brevet promotion to major on December 19, 1864 for gallant and meritorious service in action at East Marion, Tennessee. Wade received further brevets to lieutenant colonel and colonel on March 13, 1865 for meritorious service during the war, and yet another to brigadier general of volunteers on February 13, 1865 for gallant service in the campaign in southwestern Virginia. How he was brevetted to brigadier general before lieutenant colonel and colonel is unclear.

James was honorably mustered out of volunteer service on April 15, 1866 and returned to the 6th US Cavalry, where he was promoted to captain two weeks later on May 1st. He didn’t stay there long, however. On July 28, 1866, he was promoted to major in the newly forming 9th US Cavalry on July 28, 1866, which he accepted on September 17th. This was one of the “Buffalo Soldier” regiments which later became famous for their service on the frontier. Major Wade was promoted to lieutenant colonel in the 10th US Cavalry on March 20, 1879.

Wade left the buffalo soldiers with his promotion to colonel of the 5th US Cavalry on April 21, 1887. He served ten years as the commander of this regiment before he was promoted to brigadier general, US Army on May 26, 1897. During the Spanish-American War he commanded a troop assembly area in Tampa, Florida. Wade was promoted to major general of volunteers on May 4, 1898. Two days later, he assumed command of the Third Corps at Camp Thomas, Chickamauga, Georgia. Following the armistice in August, he became a member of the Cuban Evacuation Committee to oversee the removal of Spanish forces from Cuba and Puerto Rico.

General Wade was honorably discharged from volunteer service a second time on June 12, 1899, and served in the Philippines from 1901 to 1904. He was promoted to major general, US Army on April 13, 1903. After his service abroad, General Wade returned home to command the District of the Atlantic from Governors Island, New York in December, 1904.

Major General Wade retired on April 14, 1907, after 46 years of service. His eldest son, John P. Wade, followed him into the cavalry. He was a captain in the 2nd US Cavalry at the time of his father’s retirement.

James returned home to Jefferson, Ohio following his retirement, where he actively served his community. He was a director and vice president of a local bank and member on the local school board.

James Franklin Wade died on August 24, 1921 in Jefferson, Ohio, after several months of poor health. Both his sons were still serving in the army at the time of his death, one as a colonel, the other as a major.

Sources:

Heitman, page 991

Powell, page 619

New York Times article, April 15, 1907.

The Jefferson Gazette, August 25, 1921, as accessed from http://theusgenweb.org/oh/Ashtabula/war/JamesFWadeObit1908.html on October 21, 2008.

Book Review: One Continuous Fight

I thought I’d posted this months ago. I discovered this morning that the post never went through. Rather delayed, here is a review of an excellent, groundbreaking new volume on the Gettysburg campaign. I apologize for the oversight. If you haven’t already taken a look at this book, do so today.

Don


One Continuous Fight: The Retreat from Gettysburg and the Pursuit of Lee's Army of Northern Virginia, July 4-14, 1863. By Eric J. Wittenberg, J. David Petruzzi, and Michael F. Nugent.

One could fill a room with the books published on the Gettysburg campaign. Until recently, however, no single volume examined the tactical maneuvering following the battle itself as both armies maneuvered toward the Potomac. In most coverage of the campaign, scarcely a page covers the events between the end of the battle and the arrival of both armies at the Rappahannock River near Culpeper. This groundbreaking book finally provides just such an examination.

One Continuous Fight covers the nearly two dozen different engagements that took place during Lee’s retreat to the Potomac and Meade’s pursuit. While all three authors are recognized Civil War cavalry experts, this is a work for the sake of the cavalry. Cavalry units are simply the medium through which the majority of the story is told, as they were the principal players in the majority of the fighting. It was Confederate General Jeb Stuart’s task to protect the exposed columns of Lee’s army as it maneuvered toward the Potomac. The majority of the effort to intercept and disrupt these columns was assigned to Union general Alfred Pleasanton’s Cavalry Corps of the Army of the Potomac. The army itself hurried in pursuit to complete the destruction of Lee’s army if brought to bay.

Many people think that Meade’s pursuit was simply a footrace for the Potomac by both sides, marked by little actual fighting. The authors do an excellent job of illustrating the continuous and desperate fighting that occurred throughout the pursuit. Noah Andre Trudeau wrote an extremely thought provoking essay on Meade vs. Lee that is an excellent set up for the authors’ narrative.

This book draws upon a truly massive array of sources, including letters, diaries, newspaper accounts, and published primary and secondary sources. Many of the primary sources are previously unpublished. These new resources enable the authors to carefully describe each engagement within the framework of the overall pursuit. While the tactical discussions are very detailed, they enhance rather than bog down the story. The authors do a masterful job of weaving primary sources and text into a captivating tapestry that is at once easy to read and nearly impossible to put down.

To my mind, this framework makes the book all the more valuable as a reference. Each engagement, analyzed in detail from both a tactical and strategic standpoint, is contained within in its own chapter. After reading the entire book, the reader is left in essence with an encyclopedia of the retreat and pursuit.

The authors were remarkably evenhanded in their treatment of the pursuit. Both Union and Confederate viewpoints and sources are utilized throughout the book. Both sides are equally praised and critiqued, as appropriate to the situation. Such objectivity is unfortunately rare.

The conclusions chapter is yet another illustration of this, and a major strength of the book. It provides a balanced look at the various controversies surrounding the retreat. They attempt to break down the questions concerning each one and answer them in the context of the personalities and information available at the time. Each is answered in detail, with the same evenhanded consideration to opposing schools of thought that characterizes the rest of the book. In the end, my impression was that Lee was very fortunate to get away with his army intact, and that it was a much narrower escape than previous reading had led me to believe.

Unlike many works, this book is complimented by excellent work from start to finish. The book is well-constructed, with a wonderful jacket and great printing and binding. Savas-Beattie is to be commended for the quality of the work. Eighteen maps greatly enhance the reader’s ability to visualize the engagements, and dozens of photos show the participants. Two comprehensive driving tours are included as appendices, including GPS coordinates for those who enjoy following the footsteps of those who fought. These are particularly important in this book, as many of the places mentioned are unmarked by historical markers. While there are some editing errors in the first edition of the book, they don’t detract from the overall excellence of the work and have reportedly been corrected in the second edition.

Overall, this is an excellent book, both as an entertaining read from the amateur, and a detailed study for the more discriminating historian. The authors have greatly enhanced the body of knowledge on Meade’s pursuit of Lee following the battle. It will appeal to anyone interested in the Civil War, and deserves a place on the shelf of any civil War historian’s library.

Fiddler's Green: Thomas Hight

Thomas Hight was born in Indiana, and appointed to West Point from there in July 1849. He graduated 9th in his class on July 1, 1863 and was promoted to brevet second lieutenant of dragoons. He served as an instructor at the Cavalry School for Practice at Carlisle, Pennsylvania until the following year.

Hight was promoted to second lieutenant in the 2nd US Dragoons on May 24, 1854. he joined his new regiment at Jefferson barracks, Missouri, then accompanied them on frontier duty from Fort Leavenworth for the next two years. He participated in an expedition against the Sioux and one into New Mexico. When the army formed two new cavalry regiments in 1855, he was offered a position as a second lieutenant in the 1st US Cavalry, which he declined. He served on recruiting duty in 1856 and was promoted to first lieutenant in the 2nd Dragoons on February 2, 1857. From 1857 to 1860, he participated in the Utah Expedition and a march to Oregon.

Lieutenant Hight was on a leave of absence when the war broke out, but rejoined the regiment and was promoted to captain on May 13, 1861. He spent the summer at Camp Knox in Rockland, Maine, where he was the mustering officer for seven of the state’s initial ten volunteer regiments. He was detached from 2nd US Cavalry to serve as the lieutenant colonel of the 1st Maine Cavalry on October 19, 1861, but resigned from volunteer service to rejoin his regular regiment on March 14, 1862.

He commanded a squadron during the peninsula campaign, and was captured with his squadron by Confederate General Fitzhugh Lee’s brigade during a reconnaissance following Second Manassas. His squadron was so small that General Stuart reported it as a single company in his official report on the campaign. He was paroled after Stuart linked up with General Jackson’s forces two days later.

Captain Hight served in Washington, DC during the winter of 1862. He resigned on April 27, 1863, after being absent without leave since January 21st.

After his resignation, he joined the 31st Maine Infantry as a lieutenant colonel of volunteers on March 12, 1864. The regiment was mustered in on April 17th, and immediately pushed forward to Virginia. He was promoted to colonel on April 29th, and commanded the regiment during the Wilderness and Overland campaigns. The regiment lost heavily in the Wilderness, and then lost a further 195 killed, wounded and missing at Spotsylvania Court House on May 12th. He was honorably discharged after the battle of Cold Harbor on July 2, 1864.

Thomas Hight returned to Augusta, Maine following his discharge, where he worked as a druggist until his death on August 17, 1867, at the age of 38.

Sources:

Cullum, George W. Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the U.S. Military Academy, Volume 2 (Boston: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1891), pgs 527-528.

Heitman, Francis B. Historical Register and Dictionary of the United States Army (Washington: Government Printing Office, 1903), page 529.

Rodenbough, Theophilus F. From Everglade to Canyon with the Second United States Cavalry (New York: D. Van Nostrand, 1875)

What Happened Was....

I'm not sure why the last couple of posts have been about things gone wrong. The picket line story was too funny to pass up, and then I found this one. Not the way I would normally pick to feature my favorite (and parent) regiment, but you have to admire the way Captain Thomas Hight makes this report. Though addressed to the adjutant, the report is intended for the regimental commander. Can you imagine having to write a report to explain this to your commander?

To put the report into context, Captain Hight had just disembarked from the transports which had sailed them from the peninsula back to Washington when he was ordered out to join General Sumner. August 31, 1862 was the day after the end of the battle of Second Bull Run. I'll have more on Captain Hight in the next few days.

"Washington, D.C., September 3, 1862.
Lieut. J.F. McQuesten,
Adjutant, Second U.S. Cavalry:

Sir: In reply to your communication of this date I have the honor to make the following report of the manner in which my squadron was captured on the 31st ultimo:

On the 30th ultimo I was ordered with my squadron from Alexandria to report to general Sumner at Annandale. I moved with the squadron to the place designated, and finding that General Sumner had moved on, I followed with the squadron, sending to General Sumner to know if I should join them with the squadron. I received orders to do so, and joined him about 5 or 6 miles from Centreville, where the command spent the remainder of the night.

At daylight the next morning I was directed by General Sumner to leave him twelve orderlies, and with the remainder of the squadron to make a reconnaissance several miles to the right and front, returning to meet him in the rear of Centreville.

After performing this duty I met General Sumner at Centreville and reported that I had found no trace of the enemy. I then moved with General Sumner to a short distance to the right of Centreville, when I was again directed to make a reconnaissance to the right as far as Germantown. I accordingly moved to the right as far as the turnpike, and learning that Germantown was to the rear on the road, I turned in that direction, and after going 2 or 3 miles halted my command for rest and to give my horses a small feed, as they had been nearly twenty-four hours without being unsaddled or having anything to eat. About fifteen minutes after halting my sentinel reported horsemen in the rear on the road over which I had just come, but as we had been passing stragglers for the last few miles I supposed that they were some of our own men, but went to see myself; not being satisfied, I gave directions to bridle up. It was again reported that they were our troops, but immediately after my command was charged by two squadrons of Confederate cavalry, closely followed by the light division of Major-General Stuart, numbering between 2,000 and 3,000 cavalry and two horse batteries. The leading squadrons immediately opened fire upon me, which was returned by a portion of my command, the remainder of the command attempting to make their escape from so overpowering a force by fleeing through the fields toward the shelter of the woods.

Thus surrounded by so large a force, while dismounted, I had nothing left for me but surrender or massacre. I surrendered to Brigadier-General Fitz. Lee, commanding the leading brigade of the enemy, my remaining force, Lieut. R.E. Clary and about 20 men.

The enemy afterward brought in 25 or 30 more men of the squadron and about 20 infantry stragglers that they had picked up on the road over which I had passed.

The men were paroled, and myself and Lieutenant Clary taken along with the enemy as prisoners.

Private Martin Kelley of my command was badly wounded, and left behind, with a wounded soldier of the enemy.

Lieutenant Rodenbough of the squadron was brought in the next morning to General Lee.

I remained a prisoner with the enemy until the morning of September 2, when I was paroled and sent with Lieutenants Clary and Rodenbough to our pickets near Falls Church.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
THOS. HIGHT,
Captain, Second Cavalry"

Source: Official Records, Volume XII, Part 3, pages 809-810.