PENNSYLVANIA INDEPENDENT CAVALRY COMPANIES (JONES' CAVALRY)

Independent Cavalry Companies. At different times during the war independent cavalry companies were formed, some of which were afterward attached to cavalry regiments, notably the Washington, Ringgold, Keystone, Lafayette and Patton cavalry, and the companies of Capts. Harvey H. Young and M. W. Mitchener, all of which were incorporated in the 22nd cavalry. The Reading city troop, Capt. J. C. A. Hoffeditz, was organized at Reading in July, 1861, and mustered in for three years. After several months duty at Baltimore it was assigned to the 1st cavalry, becoming Co. L of that regiment. The Union company, Capt. Robert H. Patterson, was mustered into the U. S. service in April, 1861, for three years, and maintained its independent organization. The Morehead company, Capt. Leopold Sahl, was organized on Aug. 19, 1861, and mustered in for three years. The Negley body-guard, Capt. Harry L. Van Cleve, was organized at Philadelphia on Jan. 20, 1862, and mustered into the U. S. service for three years, but for some reason was mustered out five days later. Capt. Robert Bell's company was mustered in on June 23, 1863, and served for six months. A company commanded by First Lieut. C. L. Mercereau, was mustered in on Sept. 9, 1863, for six months, and was mustered out at Chambersburg on Feb. 23, 1864. Capt. Edward B. Sanno's company was mustered in at Harrisburg on July 15, 1864, for the 100 days, service and was mustered out at the same place on Oct. 29, 1864. The independent "railroad troop," Capt. George D. Stroud, was mustered in at Philadelphia on July 19, 1864, for 100 days, and was mustered out there on the last day of October. The "Lancaster troop," Capt. Christopher B. Hebble, was mustered in at Lancaster on July 19 1864, for 100 days, and was mustered out at Harrisburg on Oct. 29. Capt. Edward M. Warren's company was mustered in at Harrisburg on Aug. 17, 1864, for 100 days, and was mustered out at the same place on the last day of November. Capt. Bruce Lambert's company was organized at Harrisburg and served under the 100 days' call from Aug. 17, to Nov. 25, 1864. Capt. J. K. Weaver's company of mounted infantry was composed of veterans of the 1st battalion of 100 days' men, reenlisted at Chambersburg for one year, and was mustered out at that place on Aug. 4, 1865. At the time of Lee's invasion in the summer of 1863, four companies of emergency cavalry and two emergency light batteries were mustered into the U. S. service. The cavalry companies were commanded by Capts. John W. Jones, Frank A. Murray, Alban H. Myers and Henry H. Brown. They were mustered in from June 18 to 24, and were mustered out early in August. The two batteries were captained by Henry D. Landis and Spencer Miller. They were both organized at Philadelphia, one on June 20 and the other on the 27th. The former was mustered out at Harrisburg on July 25 and the latter on the 30th.

Source: The Union Army, vol. 1

Pennsylvania Jones Independent Cavalry (Union)

Related Records