First Dragoons.-Cols., Alfred Gibbs, Thomas J. Thorp; Lieut-
Cols., Thomas J. Thorp, Rufus Scott; Majs., Rufus Scott, Jacob W.
Knapp, Howard M. Smith.
This regiment was organized in the summer of 1862 at Portage, as
the 130th infantry and served as such at Suffolk, Va., and in
Keyes' corps on the Peninsula. The companies of which it was
composed were recruited in the counties of Allegany, Livingston
and Wyoming.
It was mustered into the U. S. service at Portage, Sept. 2, 1862,
for three years. On July 28, 1863, it was transferred to the
mounted service, and designated the 19th cavalry on Aug. 11, but
this designation was changed on Sept. 10, to 1st regiment of
dragoons. The regiment-ten companies-left the state on Sept. 6,
1862, and served as above noted.
During its entire mounted service it was in the 1st cavalry
division, Army of the Potomac. It was drilled in its new duties
by Col. Gibbs, who belonged to the U. S. cavalry service, and as
a regiment of dragoons made its first fight near Manassas
Junction in Oct., 1863, sustaining a loss of 10 killed, wounded
and missing.
The regiment moved on Grant's campaign of 1864 with about 400
carbines and fought desperately in the Wilderness (at Todd's
tavern), dismounted, sustaining a loss of 20 killed, 36 wounded
and 35 missing, the heaviest loss of any cavalry regiment in any
one action during the war.
It took part with loss in Gen. Sheridan's raid to the James river
in May; at Cold Harbor the tired troopers were aroused from their
sleep on the ground and ordered into the breastworks, which they
gallantly defended throughout the night, inspired by the music of
their band.
The losses at Cold Harbor aggregated 35 killed, wounded and
missing. Sadly reduced in numbers, the gallant dragoons moved
with Sheridan on the raid to Trevilian Station, where they were
warmly engaged, their casualties in that action amounting to 16
killed, 61 wounded, and 8 missing.
The regiment fought with Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley and
shared in the glories of the final Appomattox campaign. It
gained a high reputation among brigade and division generals for
discipline and efficiency. Under command of Col. Thorp, it was
mustered out and discharged on June 30, 1865, at Cloud's mills,
Va., having participated in about 65 battles and skirmishes.
It lost 4 officers and 127 men killed and mortally wounded; 1
officer and 142 men by disease, accident, in prison, etc.; a
total of 274. Its loss in killed and mortally wounded was
exceeded by only five cavalry regiments in the service. Corp.
Chester B. Bowen; Com.-Sergt. Andrew J. Lorish and Lieut. William
M. Winegar were awarded medals of honor for gallantry in action.
Source: The Union Army, Vol. 2 p. 200
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