Regimental History

First New York Mounted Rifles.

Cols., Charles C. Dodge, Benjamin F. Onderdonk, Edwin V. Sumner; Lieut.-Cols., Benjamin F. Onderdonk, Alexander G. Patton, James N. Wheelan; Majs., William H. Schieffelon, Henry Terwilliger, James N. Wheelan, Minott A. Pruyn, Charles C. Dodge, Alexander G. Patton, Edgar A. Hamilton.

This regiment from the state at large was organized at New York city. The companies were mustered into the U. S. service for three years as follows:

  • A and B at Fort Monroe, Va., July 30, 1861 ;
  • C and D at Newburg, Sept. 18 and Oct. 16, 1861;
  • E, F. G and H at New York city, in June, July and Aug., 1862;
  • and I, K, L and M in Aug and Sept., 1862.
On July 17, 1864, it received by transfer 270 men of the 16th N. Y. artillery. The original members, except veterans, were mustered out at the expiration of their term of service and in July, 1865, the regiment was consolidated into a battalion of seven companies, commanded by Col. Sumner; to complete the reorganization of the regiment, it was consolidated with the 3d N. Y. cavalry, which constituted companies B, F, H, I and L of the new organization.

The first two companies left the state in July, 1861; C and D in Dec, 1861; E, F, G and H in Aug., 1862; and I, K, L and M in Sept., 1862.

It served until 1864 with the 7th and 4th corps, principally at Fortress Monroe, Norfolk, Suffolk, Portsmouth, Williamsburg and Yorktown, Va., taking part in over 50 battles and skirmishes, but sustaining no severe losses, its heaviest casualties being at Scott's mills, Va., in May, 1863, when 28 were killed, wounded and missing.

The regiment was ordered to join Wistar's division, 18th corps in Jan., 1864, with which it was engaged at New Kent Court House and Bottom's bridge. During the rest of its active service it was principally with the cavalry division of the Army of the James, one detachment acting as escort at headquarters, and Cos. H and D with the 10th corps from June to Aug., 1864.

In the operations against Petersburg and Richmond in May, 1864, it sustained a loss of 13, and during the siege was often in action, but met with no large losses, its total casualties amounting to 43 killed, wounded and missing. It was active at the final assault on Petersburg, April 2, and saw its last fighting at Murfree's depot, Somerton and Jackson, N. C. The final record of the regiment will be found under the head of the 4th provisional cavalry.

The losses of the regiment during service were 2 officers and 30 men killed and mortally wounded; 3 officers and 125 men died of disease and other causes, a total of 165. (See 7th Cavalry.)