PENNSYLVANIA 7TH CAVALRY (80TH Infantry)

Seventh Cavalry.-Cols., George C. Wynkoop, William B. Sipes, C. C. McCormick; Lieut.-Cols., William B. Sipes, James J. Seibert, James. Andress; Majs., John E. Wynkoop, James J. Seibert, Tames Given Charles C. Davis, William H. Jennings, James F. Andress, Cyrus Newlin Benjamin S. Dartt, Charles L. Greeno, Uriah C. Hartranft. The 7th cavalry, the 80th regiment of the line, was composed of men from the counties of Schuylkill, Lycoming, Tioga, Bradford, Northumberland Montour, Clinton, Center, Chester, Luzerne, Dauphin, Cumberland, Berks and Allegheny. It rendezvoused by companies at Camp Cameron, Harrisburg, and was mustered into the U. S. service in Sept., Oct., and Nov., 1861, for three years. Col. Wynkoop was an experienced cavalry officer in the militia and had served as brigadier-general in the three months' service, in which many of the officers and men had also served. The regiment received its colors from Gov. Curtin on Dec. 18, and the following day left the state for Louisville, Ky., where it reported to Gen. Buell, commanding the Department of the Ohio. It remained in camp of instruction at Jeffersonville, Ind., until the end of Jan., 1862, when it moved to Nashville, Tenn., where the 1st battalion under Maj. Wynkoop was assigned to Gen. Negley's brigade; the 2nd under Col. Wynkoop, to Gen. Dumont at Nashville; the 3rd, under Mail Given, to Col. Duffield's command, two companies being posted at Murfreesboro and two at Lebanon. The detachments were now employed in scouting in western and middle Tenn., the 2nd and 3rd battalions, with the 1st, 4th and 5th Ky. cavalry being hotly engaged with Morgan's cavalry at Lebanon in May, when the enemy was defeated and 170 prisoners taken. The loss of the 7th, was 3 killed, 13 wounded and 3 captured, Maj. Given being among the prisoners. In the early part of June the 1st battalion accompanied Gen. Negley to Chattanooga, skirmishing at Sweden's cove and in front of Chattanooga. The 3rd battalion, now under Maj. Seibert, was engaged in June with Forrest's cavalry at McMinnville and Readyville, and on July 13, it was surprised and captured by Forrest at Murfreesboro, together with the rest of the garrison. The 7th lost 5 killed and 20 wounded in the engagement and the men captured were paroled. Early in July the 1st battalion, as a part of Gen. Smith's brigade, occupied Manchester. The 2nd and 3rd battalions shared in Gen. Dumont's expedition across the Cumberland mountains, beating and routing the enemy at Pikeville. They were again engaged a little later with Forrest's cavalry at Calf Killer creek, where they lost some prisoners. In an engagement at Gallatin in August with Morgan's cavalry, a detachment of the 7th, under Col. Wynkoop, forming part of Gen. Richard Johnson's provisional brigade, suffered a loss of 11 killed and wounded and 43 taken prisoners. The 1st battalion was active with some loss at the battle of Perryville, Ky., but the other two battalions, attached to Negley's brigade, remained in garrison at Nashville. When Gen. Rosecrans assumed command of the Army of the Cumberland in Nov., 1862, it was completely reorganized, the 7th Pa. being assigned to the 1st brigade (Col. Minty), 2nd division, of the cavalry commanded by Gen. D. S. Stanley. The regiment was constantly skirmishing in the advance of the army on Murfreesboro and was active in the battle there, losing 2 killed, 9 wounded and 50 missing. It was again engaged at Rover, in Jan., 1863, executing a gallant charge and driving the enemy. It was once more active at Rover and Unionville in March, with a loss of 2 killed and 7 wounded. The 1st brigade now joined Sheridan's division, which marched to Franklin; skirmished with Van Dorn and Forrest at Spring Hill and Rutherford creek, and returned to Murfreesboro. From that time until the following June, the command was variously engaged, being active at Snow hill, McMinnville, and Murfreesboro. On June 24, it moved on Gen. Rosecrans' campaign to Tullahoma, being active at Guy's gap, Shelbyville, Elk river and Sparta. In September it took part in the Chickamauga campaign and after the battle pursued Wheeler's cavalry for 18 days into Alabama. In the early part of the year 1864, most of the members reenlisted at Huntsville, Ala., and were given the usual veteran furlough. On their return the command was recruited to about 1,800 men and engaged in drill and preparation at Columbia for the spring campaign. On April 30, under command of Col Sipes, it joined Gen. Sherman for the Atlanta campaign, being attached to Garrard's division, and saw much active service from this time on. It was in actions at Rome, Dallas and Villa Rica road, Big Shanty, McAfee cross-roads, Noonday creek and Kennesaw mountain, raided the Augusta & Atlanta railroad in July, shared in the raid on Covington, was engaged at Flatrock bridge, and on Aug. 1, entered the trenches in front of Atlanta. It joined in Gen. Kilpatrick's raid in August; skirmished at Fairburn, Jonesboro and Lovejoy's Station, losing 43 men during the expedition. In October it was active at Rome, and the following day made a gallant charge on infantry and captured 2 pieces of artillery. It had suffered much in men, horses and equipment during the strenuous campaign and was now ordered to Louisville to refit. Here many of the officers whose original term of service had expired were mustered out. After the battle of Nashville and the defeat of Hood, the command was stationed at Gravelly Springs, Ala., on the Tennessee river, drilling and making preparation for the spring campaign. In the latter part of March, 1865, it joined Gen. Wilson in his raid through Alabama and Georgia, skirmished at Plantersville on April 1, led the assault upon the enemy's works the following day at Selma, losing heavily in killed and wounded, and was again active at Columbus. The war was now practically ended. The regiment remained at Macon until Aug. 23, 1865, when it was mustered out. Source: The Union Army, vol. 1 Stone's River after battle report: Report of Maj. John E. Wynkoop, Seventh Pennsylvania Cavalry, including skirmishes on the Murfreesborough road, December 26-27, at Overall's Creek, December 31, and on Manchester pike, January 5. HDQRS. SEVENTH PENNSYLVANIA CAVALRY, Camp near Murfreesborough, Tenn., January 6, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to report that on the morning of December 26, 1862, I was ordered with my regiment to move on the Murfreesborough road, in rear of the First Cavalry Brigade, the First Cavalry Brigade being the advance of that portion of the Army of the Cumberland. After proceeding on the road about 6 miles, I was ordered with my entire command to the front, with instructions to use one-half in the advance and upon the right as a line of skirmishers, keeping the other half as a support. In this order we proceeded about 3 miles, when we commenced engaging the enemy, they falling back gradually 1 mile to a belt of wood, where they made a stubborn stand. Here there was considerable heavy firing, in which 3 of my men were wounded and 2 horses killed. I ordered one company to charge, which was done with promptness, and which caused the enemy to retire, we pressing and skirmishing with him until night came on. The 27th was occupied in skirmishing on the left. No casualties in my regiment this day. Sunday, December 28, but little skirmishing; my command chiefly in camp. Monday, December 29, was ordered on the left of Gen. Wood's division; throwing out a line of skirmishers to the left, moved with the line of battle. No casualties. Tuesday, December 30, ordered to form a line of couriers from the extreme left, connecting with those on the right, keeping a reserve in the center, one upon the right center, and one upon the left center. These duties were performed by the Second and Third Battalions, commanded by myself, the First Battalion being with Col. Minty upon a reconnaissance to La Vergne; the First Battalion commanded by Capt. Jennings. Wednesday, December 31, the First Battalion absent with Col. Minty; the Second and Third continuing as vedettes and couriers until 9 a. m., when our right fell back, creating much consternation and disorder. My vedettes and line of couriers were compelled to retire, which was done in good order, the men rallying upon their chiefs. My command being collected together, I used my utmost exertions to press the troops to the front, who were coming back in much confusion. Finding my endeavors almost useless, the greatest confusion prevailing, I dispatched a courier to Gen. Rosecrans to know what position the cavalry should be assigned to. He directed me to take my command to the rear, which I accordingly did, and remained in the rear until about 2 p. m., when I received an order from Col. Kennett (commanding cavalry division) to bring my command upon the Murfreesborough pike, where a portion of the cavalry were engaging the rebel cavalry. We were thrown upon the front, and were for some time under a heavy fire from the enemy under cover. The officers and men here behaved with great coolness, and deserve much credit. The First Battalion, under command of Capt. Jennings, returned from La Vergne with Gen. Stanley and Col. Minty. Moving rapidly to the right and front, it took up position on the extreme right of our line. Dismounting, it met the advance of the rebels, and finally fell back. Mounting and reforming, the First Battalion took up a new position on the left of the rest of the cavalry. After a half hour's more fighting, darkness brought a cessation of the fighting. The loss this day was 2 killed, 4 wounded, and 4 taken prisoners. Thursday, January 1, I was ordered with my entire command upon the right to watch the movements of the enemy, who was continually moving upon the flank; considerable firing between the skirmishers, several of my horses being killed and wounded. This day my regimental train was burned by the enemy while en route for Nashville, having upon it all regimental books, papers, company property, camp equipage, officers' baggage, &c. Friday, January 2, was placed on the right to watch that flank. Much skirmishing all day. No casualties to-day. This evening went on picket in right and rear. Saturday, January 3, on picket all day. Sunday, January 4, relieved from picket. At 2 p. m. was ordered to move with the brigade to Wilkinson's Cross-Roads. Monday, January 5, ordered to move in rear of brigade toward Murfreesborough; passed through Murfreesborough, 3 miles on Manchester road, when my command was ordered to the front. The position assigned me was on the left, where we immediately commenced engaging the enemy, which lasted with considerable severity for about one hour, we driving them from the ground they occupied to a belt of wood, where they are under cover. I had 1 sergeant wounded severely. The loss in my regiment since leaving Nashville to the present time was as follows: Killed, 2; wounded, 9; prisoners and missing, 50. Total, 61. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JNO. E. WYNKOOP, Maj., Cmdg. Seventh Pennsylvania Cavalry. Lieut. JOHN WOOLLEY, Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen.

Source: Official Records PAGE 632-29 KY., MID. AND E. TENN., N. ALA., AND SW. VA. [CHAP. XXXII. [Series I. Vol. 20. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 29.]

Pennsylvania 7th Cavalry (Union)

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