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A great badge worn by Chancy S. Pettibone of Company C, 1st New York Dragoons. Chancy enlisted in August 1862 as a private. He was promoted to corporal on September 3, 1862, and was wounded at South Quay Road, Virginia in April 1863. He was discharged for disability in August 1863. The hanger of the badgge has "C.S. Pettibone" engraved on it. In the middle of the hanger is attached a round disk with "C" on it, standing for Company C. Two chains are suspended from each side of the hanger and are attached to the drop. In the center of the drop is a cavalry soldier on a horse holding a flag. Written around the the cavalry soldier is "130 N.Y. Vols - First New York Dragoons - 1862 - 1865 - 19 N.Y. Cav.".There are wreaths on the side and a canteen is suspended below the "19N.Y. Cav.".

NEW YORK
FIRST DRAGOONS

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