We've moved!

After much deliberation, I have decided to move this blog to Wordpress. This blog can now be found under the title Regular Cavalry in the Civil War at http://regularcavalryincivilwar.wordpress.com. I hope to see you there soon.

5th U.S. Cavalry at Gaines Mill – Casualties

The official casualty count of the regiment in the battle was 1 officer and 3 enlisted men killed in action, 3 officers and 27 enlisted men wounded in action, and 2 officers and 19 enlisted men captured or missing in action, for a total of 55 casualties. (OR, Vol. 11, pt. 2, pg. 40)

To the best of my knowledge, no one has listed the names of the casualties, so it seems appropriate to do so for the 150th anniversary of the battle.

The regimental muster rolls for June 1862 reflect the following casualties in the battle. Some of the names could be misspelled, as they are very difficult to read on the return, and I haven’t yet been able to verify them through CWSS or their enlistment documents.

Killed in action:

Lt. John J. Sweet
Pvt. Christopher Baumann, Band
Pvt. Clarence O. Bingham, Co. A
Pvt. Michael Cantor, Co. I

Wounded in action:

Lt. Abraham K. Arnold
Lt. Louis D. Watkins
Lt. Thomas E. Maley

Company A:
Pvt. Ed Horner
Pvt. Jacob Ginsler
Pvt. Frederick Klein
Pvt. David Haas
Pvt. Wm. Conroy

Company D:
Sgt. Wm. Brophy
Pvt. Michael Considine
Pvt. Edward Dolan
Pvt. Edward Gill
Pvt. Albert Saunders
Pvt. Jacob Riis
Pvt. Leonard W. Berner
Pvt. James Comfy

Company F:
Pvt. William A. Rose
Pvt. John Drum

Company H:
Corp. George A. Hess
Pvt. John Coffey
Pvt. James D. Cairns
Pvt. Thomas Crowley
Pvt. Bernhart Miller
Pvt. William Gregory
Pvt. John Fitzpatrick
Pvt. Eugene Gleason
Pvt. Michael Halenhan
Pvt. Thomas McDermott

Company I:
Pvt. Edward C. McGowan
Pvt. Neill Lamont

Missing in action:

Capt. Charles J. Whiting
Capt. William P. Chambliss

Company A:
Pvt. William Flynn
Pvt. Jos. H. Reinholt

Company D:
1st Sgt. Charles Rouen
Sgt. John H. Keane
Sgt. Miles W. Douk
Corp. John J. James
Pvt. Thomas Canavan
Pvt. William Howerr
Pvt. George W. Hicks
Pvt. Patrick Maloney
Pvt. James M. Reno
Pvt. Michael Quinn
Pvt. Peter H. May

Company F:
Corp. Edward Harris
Corp. John J. Moody

Company H:
Sgt. Sheffield Autino
Sgt. Thomas Bennett

The monthly return for June 1862 states a total of 58 missing in action for the regiment for the month. 30 of these were lost at Old Church on the 13th, presumed captured on picket.

There is a discrepancy between the number of wounded enlisted men listed by company on the first page of the return and the names listed on the second page. The numbers of Companies A, D and F match. Company H lists 9 wounded but 10 names wounded in action. Company I lists 4 wounded but only two names.

Listed strength of the companies present for duty listed above in the muster rolls for the end of June 1862:

Co. A: 1 officer, 45 enlisted men
Co. D: 32 enlisted men
Co. F: 1 officer, 44 enlisted men
Co. H: 26 enlisted men
Co. I: 47 enlisted men

The regiment’s mounts suffered in the fight as well. Company A lost no horses, but had 17 unserviceable mounts at the end of the month. Company D lost 29 horses. Company F lost 20 horses, and an additional 4 were unserviceable at the end of the month. Company H lost 18 horses, with an additional mount unserviceable at the end of the month. Company I lost 9 horses, with 4 additional horses unserviceable at the end of the month.

5th U.S. Cavalry at Gaines Mill – Official Regimental Report

Report of Capt. Joseph H. McArthur, Fifth U.S. Cavalry, of battle of Gaines’ Mill.
“Headquarters Fifth U.S. Cavalry
In the Field, July 3, 1862.

Sir: Agreeably to instructions I have the honor to make the following report of the operations of the Fifth U.S. Cavalry in the battle which occurred on Thursday, the 27th of June, 1862, near Woodbury’s Bridge, on the Chickahominy:

It is here proper to state that there were but five companies present, the remaining five acting with General Stoneman to the right and rear.

During the first part of the engagement the regiment was kept out of fire, prepared to move wherever occasion demanded. Late in the action, and about 6 o’clock in the afternoon, the regiment was moved up and formed in line of battle to support Benson’s battery and another battery on the right. The regiment occupied this position until the battery on the right had ceased firing. The enemy advanced boldly on these batteries, which had opened a murderous fire upon them with the evident intention of carrying them. As soon as the battery on our right ceased firing Captain Whiting, who was at that time in command, gave the order to charge. The regiment charged the enemy’s infantry under a most galling fire until 6 officers out of 7 had been struck down. The column, being left without officers, wheeled to the right, and came off in as good order as could be expected.

I regret to state that Captains Whiting and Chambliss and Lieutenant Sweet have not been seen or heard of since the charge, and I am unable to state whether they are killed or merely wounded and taken prisoners.

Great credit is due to Adjt. Thomas E. Maley, who, although severely wounded, rendered great service to me in assisting to reform the regiment at once in rear of our forces. Lieutenant Watkins was severely wounded and also trampled on by several horses of the regiment. Lieutenant Arnold was slightly wounded.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. H. McArthur
Captain, Fifth Cavalry, Commanding Regiment.
Lieut. James P. Martin.
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, Cavalry Reserve.

Note -- Those struck down were Captains Whiting and Chambliss, Lieutenants Arnold, Sweet, Watkins and Maley, leaving Capt. J. H. McArthur alone unhurt and in command of the five companies of the regiment engaged.

J. H. McArthur
Captain, Fifth Cavalry, Commanding.”
(OR, Vol. 11, pt. 2, pgs. 46-47)

1st U.S. Cavalry at Gaines Mill, 27 June 1862

For the regular cavalry, the battle of Gaines Mill is best known for the charge ordered by Brig. Gen. Philip St. George Cooke at the end of the battle by the 5th U.S. Cavalry. Although the 1st U.S. Cavalry had a minor part to play in the larger drama of the battle, I felt that someone should tell their story as well.

Report of Lieut. Col. William N. Grier, First U.S. Cavalry, of battle of Gaines’ Mill.
“Headquarters First U.S. Cavalry
Camp near Richmond, Va., June 28, 1862.

Sir: For the information of Col. G. A. H. Blake, First Cavalry, commanding Second Brigade of Cavalry Reserve, I have the honor to make the following report of the part borne in the action of 27th of June, 1862, at or near Gaines’ Hill, on the Chickahominy, by two squadrons of the First U.S. Cavalry. The whole strength of the regiment on that day consisted of two small squadrons, about 125 enlisted men, Captain Reno, First Cavalry, commanding one squadron, and Lieutenant Kellogg commanding the other. During the day the regiment was kept moving from one point to another until in the afternoon it was placed, together with the Fifth U.S. Cavalry and Rush’s Lancers, (volunteer cavalry), on the extreme left, in the support of our artillery.

Late in the afternoon our left wing was driven back by very heavy re-enforcements of the enemy, and after they debouched from the timber in our front were charged by the Fifth Regiment of U.S. Cavalry, my two squadrons directed to be held as a reserve to watch the effect of that charge and act accordingly. The charge of the Fifth having made no visible impression on the overwhelming masses of the enemy and none of them effecting a rally on the reserve, my squadrons retired in good order at a walk in rear of our artillery.

During the afternoon’s engagement the squadrons were subjected to a heavy fire from the enemy, which was met with coolness and steadiness by officers and men. Colonel Blake having been present, and acted with these two small squadrons of the regiment, is fully cognizant of its services during the day, and therefore probably requires no detail of its different movements from point to point during the day.

Wm. N. Grier
Lieutenant-Colonel, First Cavalry, Commanding Regiment.

Lieut. N. W. Kneass,
Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Second Brigade, Reserve Cavalry.” (OR, Vol. 11, pt. 2, pgs. 45-46)


From Lt. Col. Grier’s report, it sounds as though the 1st U.S. Cavalry had a pretty easy day of it, shifting from point to point on the battlefield, watching the charge of the 5th U.S. Cavalry, and never really engaged in the fighting.

Perhaps an examination of the brigade commander’s report will shed more light on the fighting:

“Report of Col. George A. H. Blake, First U.S. cavalry, commanding Second Brigade, of the battle of Gaines Mill.

Headquarters Second Cavalry Brigade
Camp, Harrison’s Landing, James River, Va., July 3, 1862

Sir: In compliance with orders from the headquarters cavalry division I have the honor to report the movements of this brigade on the 26th instant and its engagement with the enemy on the following day.

The brigade consisted of two small squadrons of the First U.S. Cavalry, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Grier, and the provost guard of the division, consisting of 39 men, under the command of Lieutenant Balk, Sixth U.S. Cavalry. On the 26th instant information was received of the approach of the enemy, who we were informed were seen upon the road to our rear. The brigade was immediately formed. About 12 o’clock m. we took up our line of march and reached Cold Harbor, where we remained for the night.

About 7 o’clock upon the following morning (June 27) the line of march was again resumed, and we proceeded to a point which was then occupied for the time by General F. J. Porter as his headquarters, on the road leading to No. 8 Bridge. The brigade was placed in position, and about 11 o’clock the engagement commenced. A short time after the brigade was moved to the left and rear of the house occupied by General F. J. Porter as his headquarters. Late in the evening, when our infantry retired before the overwhelming numbers of the enemy, the brigade was ordered upon the hill in rear of the Fifth U.S. Cavalry, with orders to act as a reserve to the Fifth U.S. Cavalry, who were ordered to charge the enemy, and, if successful, to take advantage of it and follow it up. The fire of the enemy was so destructive that a charge was not effected. The command fell back with the artillery in good order and occupied a position about 600 yards from our former position. We were again ordered to the front, and acted as a support to a body of infantry who had rallied at the bottom of the hill and were holding the enemy in check. When our artillery was posted on the hill in rear we were ordered to retire, so as to be out of his fire. We fell back a short distance and remained until 1 o’clock a.m. on the 28th instant, when the command retired across the Chickahominy, near Savage Station.

I am indebted to Lieutenant-Colonel Grier, Captain Reno, Captain Kellogg, Lieutenant Feilner, Lieutenant Allen (dangerously wounded), all of the First U.S. Cavalry; Lieutenant Balk, Sixth U.S. Cavalry, and Lieutenant Kneass, acting assistant adjutant-general Eighth Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry, for the prompt and cheerful assistance given me on the field. Lieutenant Balk and myself were slightly struck during the engagement, but not of sufficient importance to notice further.
A list of casualties will be furnished when received.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

George A. H. Blake,
Colonel First Cavalry, Commanding Brigade.

Lieut. James P. Martin.” (OR, Vol. 11, pt. 2, pg. 44)


Colonel Blake’s report provides a bit more detail on the regiment’s actions, but not much indication of the severity of the fighting beyond mentioning the one officer wounded.

In actuality, the regiment’s casualties for the battle consisted of 4 enlisted men killed in action, 1 officer mortally wounded, 18 enlisted men wounded in action, and 2 enlisted men missing, for a total of 25. (OR, Vol. 11, pt. 2, pg. 40) 20% of the force engaged is normally considered heavy casualties, though it pales in comparison to the 5th Cavalry’s losses in the fight.

Lt. Col. Grier, an officer of great experience, probably has an understated writing style. This is refreshing given the hyperbole of many battle reports. His entry on the regimental muster rolls for June 1862 has only this to say of the battle:


“The Regiment consisting of 4 Companies (A, C, F & H) under the command of Lieut. Colonel Wm. N. Grier were engaged in the action of 27th of June at Gaines Mill Va., loss in killed wounded and missing – 1 officer and 23 enlisted men.”

The mortally wounded officer was 1st Lieutenant Robert Allen, Jr. The regiment’s July 1862 return lists him as “died of wounds received in action in the Battle of Gaines Mill, Va June 27, 1862.” The names of the enlisted men killed and wounded in action are not listed in the monthly returns, and I’m still looking for the 1862 annual return for the regiment.

For those curious about the rest of the regiment, Companies B, E, I and K were at Fortress Monroe during the battle. The other squadron, Cos. D and G, were fighting in New Mexico.

Gaines Mill week

In commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the battle of Gaines Mill on June 27, 1862, I'll be featuring posts on the regular cavalry's participation in the battle this week. I won't focus on the decision-making of Brig. Gen. Philip St. George Cooke, as that's been covered before and likely will be again this week elsewhere. I'll focus on the stories of the two regular regiments involved, the 1st and 5th U.S. Cavalry regiments. I've examined their official reports and monthly returns for information on the battle. Unfortunately, I'm away from home on a work trip for the next month, so I'm not able to provide Chaplain Gracey's account of the charge of the 5th U.S. Cavalry. He was present on the field with the 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Murder in the Cavalry?

I found proceedings from a third court martial from the regulars in 1864, and found it even more interesting than the first two. Regrettably, I didn’t find this one in time for the book. Our manuscript is already in the editing process, so we won’t be able to add this to our history of the 6th U.S. Cavalry. It just goes to prove that there’s always another piece of information out there.

I have the relevant portions of the order for this case, but omitted the data for the other four courts martial included in the order. All four were volunteers tried for desertion, and all four were sentenced to be shot dead by musketry.


“Orders No. 67. War Department
Adjutant General’s Office
Washington, February 22, 1864.

III. Before a General Court Martial, which convened at the Headquarters, Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac, September 30, 1863, pursuant to Special Orders, No. 169, dated September 29, 1863, Headquarters, Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac, and of which Colonel GEORGE A.H. BLAKE, 1st United States Cavalry, is President, was arraigned and tried ---

Private Edward Brandingham, Company “G,” 6th U.S. Cavalry

Charge I. – “Murder.”

Specification – “In this; that he, the said Private Edward Brandingham, Company ‘G,’ 6th U.S. Cavalry, did strike and stab with a knife Sergeant Frank Schurzzers, Company ‘K’, 6th U.S. Cavalry, thereby causing the death of the said Sergeant Schurzzers. This at Headquarters, Cavalry Corps, near Culpeper, Va., on the evening of September 29, 1863.”

Charge II. – “Drawing and lifting up a weapon, and offering violence against his superior officer, being in the execution of his office.”

Specification -- “In this; that he, the said Private Edward Brandingham, Company ‘G,’ 6th U.S. Cavalry, did draw and lift up a knife against his superior officer, Sergeant Frank Schurzzers, Company ‘K’, 6th U.S. Cavalry, while in the execution of his office, and did therewith offer violence against the said Sergeant Schurzzers while in the execution of his office, and did with the said knife strike and stab the said Schurzzers while in the execution of his office, thereby causing the death of the said Sergeant Schurzzers. This at Headquarters, Cavalry Corps, near Culpeper Court-house, Va., on the evening of September 29, 1863.”


To which charge and specification the accused, Private Edward Brandingham, Company “G,” 6th U.S. Cavalry, pleaded “Not Guilty.”

Finding.

The Court, having maturely considered the evidence adduced, finds the prisoner, Private Edward Brandingham, Company “G,” 6th U.S. Cavalry, as follows:

Charge I.

Of the Specification, “Guilty.”
Of the Charge, “Guilty.”

Charge II.

Of the Specification, “Guilty.”
Of the Charge, “Guilty.”

Sentence.

And the Court does therefore sentence him, Private Edward Brandingham, Company “G,” 6th U.S. Cavalry, “To be hung by the neck until he is dead, at such time and place as the Commanding general may direct: two-thirds of the members of the Court concurring therein.”


So who were these fellows, and what was going on in Culpeper?

The victim, Sergeant Frank “Schurzzers,” was actually Sergeant Frank Schweigus, a farmer from Germany who enlisted in Co. K, 6th U.S. Cavalry in Rochester, New York on August 15, 1861. Regimental returns list him as mortally wounded at Culpeper, Va., on September 29, 1863.

Edward Brantingham was born in Columbus, Ohio in 1839. He worked there as a laborer, and was 22 years old when he was enlisted into Company K, 6th U.S. Cavalry there by Lt. James F. Wade on July 21, 1861. His enlistment documents describe him as 5’5” tall, with blue eyes, light hair and a ruddy complexion.

The 6th U.S. Cavalry was not a part of the Reserve Brigade, Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac at the time of the incident. As a result of heavy losses during the Gettysburg campaign and subsequent pursuit, they were assigned to duty at cavalry Corps Headquarters in late July 1863.

I have found no other mention of this incident anywhere, so we don’t know what actually happened. Sgt. Schweigus died that day, and Pvt. Brantingham was accused of killing him. The evidence wasn’t totally compelling, as only two-thirds of the court’s members concurred with the sentence. Two-thirds was the minimum necessary, but one of the other four courts-martial was unanimous in the sentencing.

So what happened?

Pvt. Brantingham was in confinement at the regimental camp on the equivalent of death row from the date court martial on September 30th to the date the order was published on February 22, 1864. To say that it was a miserable winter would probably understate the situation. The apropos portions of the order continue below.


“VI. The proceedings of the Court in the case of Private Edward Brandingham, Company “G,” 6th U.S. Cavalry, have been submitted to the President of the United States for his action thereon. The findings of the Court upon the first charge are disapproved by the Major General commanding. The sentence awarded the accused is disapproved by the President. The prisoner will be released from confinement and returned to duty.”

Come again? Returned to duty?

The rest of the story is that none of the five were executed. The commanding generals in each case (our old friend Maj. Gen. Alfred Pleasonton in the case of Pvt. Brantingham) recommended clemency, and President Lincoln’s policies concerning capital punishment for soldiers has been discussed elsewhere. Of the five accused, one was discharged, two were sentenced to confinement at hard labor on Dry Tortugas, Florida during the war, and Brantingham and one other were returned to duty.

Regardless of one’s views concerning capital punishment, the return to duty is mystifying. Also mystifying is that I’ve not been able to find a mention of it in letters home from several collections of letters from officers of the regiment during this period. Apparently the evidence against Brantingham simply wasn’t compelling enough to convince the general and the President of his guilt.

Edward Brantingham continued to serve in Co. G, 6th U.S. Cavalry until his discharge at the expiration of his period of service at the regiment’s camp on January 25, 1865 as a private. He returned to Columbus, where he worked as a stableman and teamster and lived the rest of his life. His wife Martha submitted a claim for his pension on October 26, 1889.

Fiddler’s Green: Richard Wall

Here’s the profile of another cavalryman from the southwestern theater of the war, Richard Wall of the 3rd U.S. Cavalry. I thought I would have this posted several days ago, but he kept popping up in the regimental monthly returns as I worked my way through them. Robert, thanks for your inquiry, and I hope this answers some of your questions.

Richard Wall was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1827. He immigrated to the United States, and was working as a miner in San Antonio, Texas when he was enlisted into Company C, Regiment of Mounted Rifles by Lieutenant Alfred Gibbs on December 1, 1855. His enlistment documents describe him as 5’7” tall, with gray eyes, brown hair, and a ruddy complexion. During his first enlistment, he was promoted to corporal and sergeant in the same company. On December 1, 1860, he was re-enlisted into Company C by Captain Dabney Maury at Fort Marcy, New Mexico.

At the outbreak of the Civil War, Sergeant Wall remained with his company and regiment, and was soon promoted to first sergeant. 1861 was a year of long marches but relatively little fighting for the company. According to the regiment’s annual return, they marched 1,147 miles, but had only three small engagements with Indians and a lone skirmish against invading Texans north of fort Thorn, NM on September 25, 1861.

First Sergeant Wall was placed on special duty as an acting second lieutenant with his company in January 1862, one of three noncommissioned officers so assigned. This was an unorthodox assignment, made necessary by the lack of officers present for duty. Several officer appointments had made, but the new officers hadn’t reached new Mexico yet, and five of the six companies in the field had no officers.

On February 21, 1862, acting lieutenant Wall fought with his company at the battle of Valverde. Major Thomas Duncan commanded the regiment on the field, and commended Wall in his official report on the battle for actions “characterized by the greatest zeal and coolness.”

Following the battle, Company C was ordered north to Fort Union. They mustered only 26 enlisted men under Wall’s command. During the march, they were attacked by Indians on the night of March 3rd in Comanche Canon, NM. Wall and Bugler Piggot were wounded, and Private Patrick Hart was killed. They fought at the battle of Glorietta Pass later in the month, in a squadron with Company K under Captain Joseph Tilford.

Not long after the battle, the regiment was ordered to march to the western theater of the war, joining the General Grant’s Army of the Tennessee in November. Wall was officially appointed a second lieutenant on July 17th, but word of the promotion did not catch up with the regiment until December 17th, when he was discharged to receive the appointment at Memphis, TN. He was assigned to Company E.

Lieutenant Wall fought with his regiment in Tennessee and Alabama in 1863. He earned a brevet promotion to first lieutenant on November 15, 1863 for gallant and meritorious service in action near Tuscumbria, AL. He received an official appointment to first lieutenant three months later, on February 15, 1864.
The following month, the regiment was transferred to St Louis, MO. They spent the summer of 1864 fighting in the Department of Arkansas, where they remained through the end of the war. Lieutenant Wall was promoted to captain on December 24, 1866.

Shortly thereafter, the regiment was reassigned to duty in New Mexico. Captain Richard Wall died in Santa Fe of unknown causes on July 28, 1868, and was buried the same day in Santa Fe National Cemetery, section C, site 479.

Fort Sedgwick, Colorado

Rarely do I get the chance to feature something on the blog from here in Colorado, but the mention of this fort in the last post stirred my curiosity, and I found a couple of ties to the regular cavalry

Originally established on May 17, 1864, this post was known initially as the Post at Julesburg Station, then Camp Rankin once it was more permanently established. It was renamed Fort Sedgwick on September 27, 1865 for Maj. Gen. John Sedgwick, pre-Civil War member of the 1st U.S. Cavalry, who was killed during the battle of the Wilderness in 1864. Colonel Christopher McNally was the senior officer to command the post during its existence.

Fort Sedgwick was located at a strategic area of several river crossings that included a branch of the overland trail and the emigrant trail westward to protect the routes from hostile Indians. The south branch of the Platte River was ¼ mile away from the fort.

Fort Sedgwick was abandoned on May 31, 1871, and transferred from the War Department to the Department of the Interior on July 22, 1884. The remains of the fort are currently located on private land in Sedgwick County, near Julesburg, Colorado.

Fiddler’s Green: Christopher H. McNally

Christopher Hely McNally was born in Middlesex, England in June, 1820. He immigrated to the United States as a young man, arriving in New York City on August 24, 1835. He served an enlistment from December 1, 1848 to 1853, but it is unclear in which regiment he served. I was unable to locate his enlistment papers for this first enlistment. According to Heitman, he also served that enlistment the Regiment of Mounted Rifles, but he is listed in the 1850 census as a soldier at Columbia Barracks, Clark County, Oregon Territory, which was not one of that regiment’s postings.

On October 31, 1853, McNally was enlisted into Company D, Regiment of Mounted Rifles at Bellsville, Texas by Lieutenant Robert Ransom. He was 32 years old, and claimed his previous occupation was a soldier. His enlistment documents describe him as 5’8” tall, with brown hair, gray eyes and a fair complexion. McNally earned promotions to corporal and sergeant in the company prior to his discharge on June 16, 1855 at Fort McIntosh, Texas to accept a commission as a second lieutenant in the Mounted Rifles. His commission was dated May 23rd, but notification of the promotion didn’t reach McNally and the regiment until the following month.

Lieutenant McNally continued to serve with the regiment, and was commended for his actions in an engagement with Mogollon Indians in New Mexico. The regiment remained on the frontier after Texas seceded on February 1, 1861, and he was promoted to first lieutenant on May 5th.
As Confederate troops advanced into New Mexico from El Paso, Lieutenant McNally fought in the regiment’s first engagement of the Civil War on July 25, 1861 in a skirmish at Mesilla, New Mexico. McNally was seriously wounded in the skirmish, and later received a brevet promotion to captain for gallant and meritorious service in the action.

He was among the companies of the 3rd U.S. Cavalry and 7th U.S. Infantry surrendered by Major Isaac Lynde at San Augustin Springs a few days later. He accompanied these companies of paroled prisoners of war on their long march to Fort Wayne, Michigan. After a brief stop at Fort Union, New Mexico territory, they marched to Fort Leavenworth, where they arrived in November. They reached Fort Wayne the following month, and remained there until they were exchanged in September 1862. Lt. McNally was promoted to captain, 3rd U.S. Cavalry on September 28, 1861 during the long march.

After his exchange, Captain McNally returned to duty with his regiment, after another long march from Michigan to Tennessee. He commanded an independent squadron of Cos. B and E, 3rd U.S. Cavalry in Gen. Grant’s Army of the Tennessee from January to April 1863. His command served with the cavalry assigned to the Sixteenth Army Corps, specifically in Brig.Gen. Alexander Asboth’s District of Columbus. With the great difficulty in procuring horses and mules for the armies in the western theater, he was subsequently assigned as an inspector of horses and mules in St. Louis, Missouri until March 1865.

Captain McNally received a unique opportunity on March 31, 1865, when he was appointed Colonel of the 3rd U.S. Volunteer Infantry. This was one of the “galvanized yankee” regiments composed of paroled Confederate prisoners sent west to protect overland routes from hostile Indians. The 3rd U.S. Volunteers were assigned to the Overland Route, with two companies each initially assigned to Fort Kearny, Nebraska Territory, Cottonwood Springs, Nebraska Territory and Fort Laramie, Wyoming Territory. Colonel McNally, regimental headquarters and the final two companies were assigned near Julesburg, Colorado Territory.

McNally received a brevet promotion to major in the regular army on March 13, 1865 for meritorious service during the war. He was honorably mustered out of volunteer service on November 29, 1865, and rejoined the 3rd U.S. Cavalry in New Mexico in August, 1866. He was retired from active service on December 24, 1866, for incapacity resulting from wounds received in the line of duty, in conformity with an Act of Congress, of August 1861.

McNally returned to the northeast after he retired, living in New York and New Jersey. He married Martha M.E. Dawson in Manhattan, New York on August 28, 1879.

Christopher McNally died February 14, 1889, at the age of 68 years, 8 months. He is buried in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Newark, New Jersey. His headstone lists his military service only as Colonel, 3rd U.S. Volunteer Infantry. His widow listed both the 3rd U.S. Cavalry and the 3rd U.S. Volunteer Infantry when she applied for his pension in New Jersey on April 5, 1889.

Here’s to Christopher McNally, most likely the most travelled regular cavalry officer during the Civil War. In less than four years, he marched from El Paso to Kansas to Michigan to Tennessee to Colorado, with fighting in between.

Fiddler’s Green: Henry Sachs

Henry Sachs was born in Bavaria about 1836. He immigrated to the United States at age 16, aboard the ship Emperor from LeHavre, France. He arrived in New York City on September 27, 1852. Five years late, Sachs lived in Boston and worked as a laborer. He was enlisted into Company K, 2d Dragoons there by Lt. McArthur on October 1, 1857. His enlistment documents describe him as 5’9” tall, with hazel eyes, dark hair, and a fair complexion.

Sachs served in the regiment on the frontier and in Utah until the outbreak of the war, earning promotions to corporal and sergeant in Co. K. His was the only company of the regiment to reach Washington, D.C. in time for the battle of Bull Run in July 1862, where he distinguished himself. According to Colonel Porter’s report on the battle, “While the cavalry were engaged in feeling the left flank of the enemy’s position, some important captures were made --- one by Sergeant sachs, Second Dragoons, of a General George H. Steuart, of Baltimore.” This exploit earned him a promotion to first sergeant of the company, and later a second promotion.

On October 24, 1861, First Sergeant Sachs was discharged in Washington, D.C. to receive a commission as a second lieutenant assigned to Company C, 3rd U.S. Cavalry. The regiment was then fighting in New Mexico Territory. He started west not long after, but took a long time to reach his new regiment.

By the following June, Lt. Sachs had only reached Fort Leavenworth, Kansas Territory, where the post commander assigned him as the post adjutant. Sachs was promoted to first lieutenant, 3rd Cavalry and assigned to Company L on July 17, 1862, but remained at Fort Leavenworth for the next nine months working as the post adjutant and acting assistant quartermaster. While at the post, he participated in skirmishes at Rocky Bluff and Hickory Grove, Missouri in August 1862. He was wounded in a separate skirmish with Quantrill’s raiders in Missouri the following month.

After he joined his regiment, Lt. Sachs commanded a detachment in Tennessee in June 1863 for several months. On October 15, he was assigned as the Regimental Quartermaster and served in that position until June 1, 1864. After his relief from this position, he commanded an independent company of cavalry near Van Buren, Arkansas for several months. Something that he did during this time brought him to the attention of his superiors, for on November 7, 1864, Lt. Sachs was assigned to headquarters, Department of Arkansas, on the staff of Maj.Gen. Frederick Steele. He served the next two months as an acting assistant quartermaster for the department.

First Lieutenant Sachs resigned his commission on January 25, 1865 for unknown reasons, and I was unable to find any further record of him following the war.

Will the Real George H. Steuart Please Stand Up?

While compiling the list of Civil War officers of the 3rd U.S. Cavalry (see previous post), one of the names on the list caught my eye, Henry Sachs. I knew I had seen the name somewhere, and knew it was from the 2nd U.S. Cavalry during the war, but couldn't remember exactly where. At first I thought he was the sergeant featured in the Don Stivers print "Medal of Honor," where the first sergeant of Company K, 2nd U.S. cavalry saved his company commander, the badly wounded Theophilus Rodenbough at the battle of Winchester on September 19, 1864. As it turns out, I had the right company, but the wrong guy.

Company K of the 2nd U.S. Dragoons (later 2nd U.S. Cavalry)was the only company present at First Bull Run, part of the battalion of regular cavalry under the command of Innis Palmer. One of the sergeants of Co. K, Henry Sachs, is credited with the capture of "General George H. Steuart, of Baltimore" in Colonel Porter's official report of the battle. In regimental histories of the battle, it is noted that General Steuart had formerly served as a lieutenant in the regiment, and in one account I saw that Sachs captured his former commander.

This is not the case. After a good bit of digging for research and a check with Harry Smeltzer, whose blog Bull Runnings is the premier online resource for the battle, I have determined that while Col. Porter's report is correct, the account in Joseph I. Lambert's One Hundred Years With the Second Cavalry is not. Rodenbough's From Everglade to Canyon simply quotes Porter's report.

There were two George H. Steuarts at First Bull Run, father and son, both from Baltimore. George the Elder, born November 1, 1790 and captured on the battlefield, was a veteran of the War of 1812 and promoted to brigadier general of the Maryland militia in 1833. 71 at the time of the battle, he was not actually a serving officer in the Confederate Army, and was subsequently released. It is not known what he was doing on the battlefield, but there were numerous spectators from both sides at the battle. It has been postulated that he was looking for his son, but I have not been able to corroborate this.

George H. Steuart, Jr. graduated West Point 37th in the class of 1848, serving as a lieutenant in the 2nd Dragoons after he graduated. He was promoted to 1st Lieutenant, 1st U.S. Cavalry on March 3, 1855. He resigned his commission on April 22, 1861. He initially received an appointment as a captain of cavalry in the Confederate regular army, but subsequently received an appointment as the lieutenant colonel of the 1st Maryland (CSA) Infantry. This was the position he held during the battle. He was promoted to Brigadier General in March 1862 and served through the war, though he too was captured --- with his division commander at the battle of Spotsylvania Court House. Later exchanged, he was present with General Lee at Appomattox, and returned to Baltimore after the war.

So it was the father, not the cavalryman, who was captured at First Bull Run. He and Sachs never served together, as Sachs didn't enlist in the regiment until 1857, two years after Steuart moved on to the 1st U.S. Cavalry.

As for Henry Sachs, more about him tomorrow.

Officers of the 3rd U.S. Cavalry in the Civil War

With the help of the Army Registers for each of the war years and the monthly regimental returns, I’ve been able to piece together all of the officers who served in the 3rd U.S. Cavalry (formerly Regiment of Mounted Riflemen) during the Civil War. I’ll feature a few of the more interesting members in the Fiddler’s Green series. Since I included the entire war, those members of the regiment who resigned their commissions are listed. Each member is listed at the highest rank they achieved in the regiment during the war. Departures from the regiment are listed when possible.

Colonels

William W. Loring- resigned May 13, 1861
John S. Simonson- retired for incapacity, September 28, 1861
Marshall S. Howe

Lieutenant Colonels

George B. Crittenden- resigned June 10, 1861
Charles F. Ruff
George Stoneman

Majors

Benjamin S. Roberts
Thomas Duncan
Edward W.B. Newby
Kenner Garrard

Captains

Andrew J . Lindsay- resigned May 5, 1861
Thomas Claiborne Jr.- resigned May 14, 1861
John G. Walker- resigned July 31, 1861
Llewellyn Jones- transferred to Major, 1st Cavalry, retired November 1, 1861
Washington L. Elliott- transferred to Major, 1st Cavalry
Robert M. Morris
John P. Hatch
Gordon Granger
Alfred Gibbs
William B. Lane
George W. Howland
Alexander McRae- killed at Valverde, NM February 21, 1862
Joseph G. Tilford
Christopher H. McNally
Edward Treacy- died at Cincinnati, OH February 15, 1864
John V.D. DuBois
William W. Averell
Edward P. Cressey
Leroy S. Elbert
Andrew J. Alexander
Elisha W. Tarlton
William Hawley

First Lieutenants

Laurence S. Baker- resigned May 10, 1861
Hyatt C. Ransom- appointed AQM, vacated regt commission June 10, 1861
Roger Jones- appointed AQM, vacated regt commission July 31, 1861
Sidney Banks
James R. Kemble
Charles E. Hay
Frank Stanwood
William A. DuBois
Frederick Van Vliet
Henry Sachs
Philip K. Thomas
William G. Hoffman
Francis H. Wilson
William M. Watts
John E. Phelps
Frederick J. James- died near Cold Spring, NY August 4, 1864
Charles Meinhold
Richard Wall
Gerald Russell

Second Lieutenants

William H. Jackson- resigned May 16, 1861
Henry C. McNeill- resigned May 12, 1861
Joseph Wheeler Jr.- resigned April 22, 1861
John Falvey
Deane Monahan
William Ewing
George O. McMullin
Samuel Hildeburn
Alexander Sutorius
William J. Cain
George Harrington- killed in attack at Memphis, TN August 21, 1864
George J. Campbell
Henry Carroll
Charles Newbold- transferred to 5th U.S. Infantry August 20, 1862
Armon Trimble- commission revoked September 18, 1863
Carter B. Harrison- declined appointment
Theodore Texter- commission revoked September 18, 1863

Brevet Second Lieutenants

Mathis W. Henry- resigned August 19, 1861
George O. Watts- resigned August 10, 1861
John M. Kerr- dismissed

Military Justice, Part 2

General Orders No. 19.
War Department
Adjutant General’s Office
Washington, January 12, 1864.


I. Before a General Court Martial, which convened at the Headquarters, Cavalry Reserve Brigade, near Culpeper Court-house, Virginia, November 25, 1863, pursuant to Special Orders, No. 66, dated October 31, 1863, and Special Orders, No. 70, dated November 5, 1863, Headquarters, 1st Cavalry Division, and of which Major H.C. Whelan, 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry, is President, was arraigned and tried ---

2. Private Walter Sheets, Company “B,” 2nd U.S. Cavalry

Charge – “Desertion.”

Specification – “In this; that the said Private Walter Sheets, of Company ‘B,’ 6th U.S. Cavalry, did, on or about the 10th day of July, 1863, at or near Funkstown, Maryland, willfully desert the service of the United States, with his horse, arms, and accoutrements. All this at or near Funkstown, Maryland, and remained absent until apprehended at Lewistown, Maryland, October 27, 1863, by Captain Smith. For his apprehension was paid thirty dollars ($30).”

To which charge and specification the prisoner, Private Walter Sheets, Company “B,” 2nd U.S. Cavalry, pleaded “Not Guilty.”

Finding.

The Court, after mature consideration on the evidence adduced, finds the prisoner, Private Walter Sheets, Company “B,” 2nd U.S. Cavalry, as follows:

Of the Specification, “Guilty, except the words ‘at Lewistown, Maryland, October 27, 1863, by Captain Smith. For his apprehension was paid ($30) thirty dollars.’”
Of the Charge, “Guilty.”

Sentence.

And the Court does therefore sentence him, Private Walter Sheets, Company “B,” 2nd U.S. Cavalry, “To forfeit all pay and allowances that are now or may come due him; to be indelibly branded on the left hip with the letter D, one and a half inches long, in presence of his Regiment; and to be confined at hard labor, with a ball and chain attached to one of his legs, for the period of (10) ten years. The place of confinement to be designated by the Secretary of War.”


The disparity between the two sentences is interesting. Two years of desertion is worth five years of hard labor, but three months of desertion with all equipment is worth branding and ten years of hard labor.

So who was this fellow?

Walter Sheets was born in Salem County, New Jersey in 1843. He worked as a blacksmith before the war. He initially enlisted into Company F, 5th New Jersey Infantry on August 22, 1861 at the age of 18. This regiment was commanded during the Peninsula campaign by Samuel H. “Paddy” Starr, on detached service as a colonel of volunteers while a captain in the 2nd U.S. Cavalry. On October 26, 1862, Private Sheets was discharged to join the Regular Army.

On October 27th, Walter Sheets enlisted into Company B, 2nd U.S. Cavalry at Alexandria, Virginia. His enlistment documents confirm his age and birthplace, as well as describing him as 5’ 5 3/4” tall, with gray eyes, brown hair, and a dark complexion. The officer who enlisted him? Captain Samuel Starr, who had resigned his volunteer commission and was serving on recruiting duty for his regular army regiment.

Military Justice, Part 1

I recently came across the court martial proceedings for two cavalrymen from the regulars in 1864, and thought I would share them. As I perused the General Orders for 1863 and 1864, it struck me that relatively few cavalrymen were court martialed, and even fewer regular cavalrymen. I’m curious if there was another way that these results were published, as I have primary source material indicating courts martial in the Reserve Brigade from members of the court during this time, but haven’t been able to find any records of the proceedings. The entries ran a bit long, so I’ll post the first one today and the second one, from the 2nd Cavalry, tomorrow. As is frequently the case, both of these randomly encountered soldiers have ties to other research threads.


General Orders No. 19.
War Department
Adjutant General’s Office
Washington, January 12, 1864.


I. Before a General Court Martial, which convened at the Headquarters, Cavalry Reserve Brigade, near Culpeper Court-house, Virginia, November 25, 1863, pursuant to Special Orders, No. 66, dated October 31, 1863, and Special Orders, No. 70, dated November 5, 1863, Headquarters, 1st Cavalry Division, and of which Major H.C. Whelan, 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry, is President, was arraigned and tried ---

1. Private Matthew Hayden, Company “A,” 5th U.S. Cavalry

Charge – “Desertion.”

Specification – “In this; that the said Matthew Hayden, of Company ‘A,’ 5th U.S. Cavalry, being a soldier in the United States service, did desert said service on or about October 17, 1861, at or near Camp Cliffburn, D.C., and was arrested October 9, 1863, at Washington, D.C., by Captain Scheetz; $30 paid for his apprehension. The said Matthew Hayden also acknowledges that he is a deserter.”

To which charge and specification the prisoner, Private Matthew Hayden, Company “A,” 5th U.S. Cavalry, pleaded “Not Guilty.”

Finding.

The Court, after mature consideration on the evidence adduced, finds the prisoner, Private Matthew Hayden, Company “A,” 5th U.S. Cavalry, as follows:

Of the Specification, “Guilty of so much of the specification as follows, viz: ‘In this, that he, the said Matthew Hayden, of Company ‘A,’ 5th U.S. Cavalry, being a soldier in the United States service, did desert said service on or about October 17, 1861, at Camp Cliffburn, D.C., and was arrested.’”
Of the Charge, “Guilty.”

Sentence.

And the Court does therefore sentence him, Private Matthew Hayden, Company “A,” 5th U.S. Cavalry, “To forfeit all pay and allowances, that are now or may become due him; to be confined at hard labor for the period of (5) five years in a military prison, to be designated by the Secretary of War, wearing a ball weighing (12 lbs.) twelve pounds attached to one of his legs by a chain.”


So who was this fellow?

Matthew Hayden was born in Dublin, Ireland, about 1835. He worked as a laborer after immigrating to the United States, and was 26 years old when he was enlisted into Company A, 5th U.S. Cavalry by Lt. Ogle in New York City on August 21, 1860. His enlistment documents describe him as 5’8” tall, with blue eyes, brown hair and a sallow complexion. It is interesting how records differ. His enlistment documents show he deserted on September 16, 1861 and was apprehended on November 10, 1863, versus the information contained in the charges. The regimental returns for November reflect the October desertion date, though he deserted by not returning from furlough and it may have started on September 16th. November 10th was most likely the date he was returned to the regiment’s custody.

If Hayden’s enlistment data and company sound familiar, it is because he was enlisted into the same company as yesterday’s Henry Baker, by the same officer, at the same place, eight days later. It would be a clever tie-in, but I confess that I didn’t find his enlistment records until this morning.

Fiddler's Green: Henry Baker

There hasn't been a Fiddler's Green post in far too long. I thought a regimental color bearer from one of the most famous cavalry charges of the war would be an appropriate choice for the blog's record of forgotten cavalrymen.

Henry Baker was born in Kent, England in 1839. After immigrating to the United States, he worked as a clerk prior to serving in the army. He was enlisted into the 2nd (later 5th) U.S. Cavalry by Lt. Ogle in New York City on August 13, 1860. His enlistment documents describe him as 5’6 ½” tall, with brown hair, blue eyes and a ruddy complexion.

He served as a private, corporal and sergeant in Company A. He served in Texas until the state seceded, when he accompanied the second detachment of the regiment to Carlisle Barracks, by way of Indianola and New York City. He reached Carlisle on April 27, 1861.


Sergeant Baker participated in General Patterson’s Shenandoah campaign of 1861, and was engaged in the action at Falling Waters and in skirmishes near Martinsburg and Bunker Hill. During the winter of 1861-1862 he served in the defenses of Washington. The following spring he accompanied his regiment to the Peninsula, where he served during the advance on Richmond, the battle of Hanover Court House and the reconnaissance toward Ashland.

By June 1862, Baker served as the regimental color sergeant. During the battle of Gaines Mill, he “carried the standard with conspicuous gallantry in the famous charge which the regiment made at that place,” according to the regiment’s post-war history, Across The Continent With The Fifth Cavalry. Surprisingly, he was not even wounded in the charge, according to the regiment’s monthly returns. He also fought at Savage Station, Malvern Hill and White Oak Swamp. Baker was promoted to regimental sergeant major on August 1, 1862, and accompanied his regiment as part of the army’s rear guard during the evacuation of the Peninsula.

During the Antietam campaign, he served in the battles of South Mountain and Antietam, and the skirmish near Shepherdstown. On September 22, 1862, he was notified of his appointment as a second lieutenant in the regiment, effective July 17th. After joining his company, he participated in engagements at Halltown, Union, Upperville, Markham Station, Barbee’s Crossroads and Amissville. Following the battle of Fredericksburg, he served on picket duty with his company in the winter camp near Falmouth.

Lieutenant Baker was promoted to first lieutenant on April 13, 1863, and participated in Stoneman’s raid the following month and the battle of Brandy Station in June. In September 1863, he became an aide de camp to General Pleasonton, and served with his headquarters until June 1864. He then served on special duty at First Cavalry Division headquarters for the remainder of the war, including the Central Virginia, Shenandoah and Appomattox campaigns. He was brevetted to captain and major for gallant and meritorious service during the war, to date from March 13, 1865.

First Lieutenant Baker served at the headquarters of the Department of West Virginia from May to August 1865. He then joined the detachment of the regiment serving on escort duty with general Grant in Washington, where he commanded a company.

On November 5, 1865, Baker was granted a twenty day leave of absence. He failed to return for duty at the expiration of his leave, and was dropped from the Army’s rolls on January 12, 1866. I have not been able to find any information on him following his dismissal.

At long last

The manuscript is at long last at the publisher for editing, hopefully with the last of the permissions to accompany it in the next few days so that editing can continue. Including them was another of the many lessons learned the first time through the publishing process. But that's about handled, and I can finally turn my attention back to blogging for a while. So what's coming up? A few troopers of note from the 5th US Cavalry, including the color bearer from their ill-fated charge at Gaines Mill, and a couple of general court martial case studies of military justice for enlisted troopers during the war. Also, May will be the month that I make up my long neglect of the 3rd US Cavalry, formerly Regiment of Mounted Riflemen, with a series of posts on the officers of the regiment during the war. Stay tuned.

Coming Up For Air

No, I haven't been lost in the wilderness with no access to the internet. No, I haven't given up my pursuit of the Civil war and all things cavalry. I've simply been learning a ton of things in the process of preparing my first manuscript for publishing which will make a wonderful series of posts AFTER it is delivered by the 31st of this month.

But I'm back. Mostly. As times permits between now and the end of the month, then "full time" once again.

So what's been happening while I was gone?

Retiring. Again. Finished up my retiree recall with the Army on Tuesday, with all of the administrative joy and loss of productive time that one might suspect. It was an amazing ride, and I'm truly grateful to all of those who helped along the way.

Finishing the manuscript. One teaser from the upcoming Getting Published series of posts - plan for success. We were incredibly fortunate to have our (my partner, Jim Jones and I, there's no royal plural here) first query accepted by a publisher instead of searching for months for an interested publisher. An acceptance letter and one complete chapter leave you a LONG way to go in the process. Enough said.

Maps. We have not one, not two, but 14 maps for the book, by two very talented cartographers. After the much-lamented Blake Magner's passing, Steven Stanley was kind enough to step in on very short notice and provide the maps for the Beverly Ford and Brandy Station chapters.

Back soon, manuscript to finish, syllabi for spring semester to post....