14th Pennsylvania Cavalry Regiment

14th Pennsylvania Cavalry Regiment
State flag of Pennsylvania, c. 1863
Active	November 23, 1862, to August 24, 1865
Country	United States
Allegiance	Union Pennsylvania
Branch	Union Army
Type	Cavalry
Size	Regiment
Engagements	American Civil War 1863: Battle of White Sulphur Springs, Battle of Droop Mountain 1864: Battle of Cove Mountain, Battle of Lynchburg, Second Battle of Kernstown, Battle of Moorefield, Third Battle of Winchester, Battle of Fisher's Hill
Commanders
Colonel	James M. Schoonmaker
Lt. Col	William Blakeley
Major	Thomas Gibson
Major	John M. Daily

The 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry Regiment (also known as the 159th Pennsylvania Volunteers) was a cavalry regiment of the Union Army during the American Civil War. Most of its fighting happened in the last half of 1863 and full year 1864. The regiment fought mainly in West Virginia and Virginia, often as part of a brigade or division commanded by Brigadier General William W. Averell and later Brigadier General William Powell.

The regiment was organized near Pittsburgh between August and November 1862. With the exception of one company from the Philadelphia area, its recruits were from western Pennsylvania. The regiment's original commander, Colonel James M. Schoonmaker, was one of the youngest regimental commanders in the Union Army at 20 years old. Pittsburgh attorney William Blakeley was the regiment's original lieutenant colonel.

Among battles where the regiment saw action were the Battle of White Sulphur Springs, Battle of Droop Mountain, Battle of Moorefield, and the Third Battle of Winchester. It had two officers and 97 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded. Disease killed 296 enlisted men. The three original Majors were Thomas Gibson, Shadrack Foley, and John M. Daily. Captain Thomas R. Kerr won the Medal of Honor for capturing a regimental flag at Moorefield where he was an advance scout, while Schoonmaker received the same award for action at the Third Battle of Winchester.

Formation and organization[]

Col. Schoonmaker

James M. Schoonmaker, of Pittsburgh, began recruiting for a federal volunteer battalion of cavalry on August 18, 1862. At the time, he was a lieutenant in the Union's 1st Maryland Cavalry Regiment.^[1] An accomplished horseman, he had so much success in recruiting that both Pennsylvania governor Andrew Gregg Curtin and Secretary of War Edwin Stanton authorized him to recruit a full cavalry regiment of 12 companies. With the exception of Philadelphia's Company A, recruiting was conducted in western Pennsylvania. Allegheny, Armstrong, and Fayette counties accounted for portions of eight of the regiment's 12 companies.^[2] The men were mustered into service from August 21 through November 4, 1862, for three years.^[3] By November, a full regiment was recruited, and it was mustered into service on November 23, 1862, as the 14th Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry.^[4] In Pennsylvania, the regiment was also known as the One Hundred and Fifty-Ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers, since it was the 159th regiment of any branch raised in Pennsylvania.^{[5][Note 1]}

14th Pennsylvania Cavalry initial assignments

Original leadership was Schoonmaker as colonel and William H. Blakeley as lieutenant colonel.^{[Note 2]} Thomas Gibson, Shadrack Foley, and John M. Daily were majors of the First, Second, and Third battalions, respectively.^[4] Other notable officers included Captain Ashbel F. Duncan of Company E and 2nd Lieutenant Thomas R. Kerr of Company C. Schoonmaker was only 20 years and four months old at the time, making him one of the youngest regiment commanders in the Union Army.^[10] The regiment spent time at Camp Howe and Camp Montgomery, near Pittsburgh, before moving to Hagerstown, Maryland on November 24, where it received horses, arms, and equipment. On December 28, the regiment moved to Harper's Ferry, Virginia, where it was assigned picket and reconnaissance (scouting) duty.^[3] At that time it was part of the Middle Department that became the VIII Army Corps a few months later.^[11]

On May 7, 1863, a detachment of unmounted men was left in Harper's Ferry under the command of Major Foley, while the remaining portion of the regiment rode the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (a.k.a. B&O Railroad) west to join the 4th Separate Brigade of the VIII Army Corps at Grafton, Virginia.^[3] Grafton was a strategic point early in the American Civil War because it had a terminal for the B&O Railroad.^{[12][Note 3]} The regiment was initially tasked with duty protecting the nearby communities of Philippi, Beverly and Webster.^{[11][Note 4]} On May 23, Brigadier General William W. Averell took command of the brigade, relieving Brigadier General Benjamin S. Roberts. Averell's 4th Separate Brigade had one cavalry regiment, three mounted infantry regiments, two infantry regiments, a cavalry battalion consisting of four companies, and two batteries.^{[16][Note 5]}

Early action[]

Major Gibson

On July 2, the command of Colonel Thomas M. Harris of the 10th West Virginia Infantry Regiment was attacked by 1,700 Confederate soldiers and nearly surrounded near its camp in Beverly.^[17] Two squadrons of the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry, under the command of Major Gibson, were sent to Harris' assistance, and arrived about four miles (6.4 km) north of Beverly around 3:00 am on July 3. They surprised Confederate infantry along the Cheat River at about 8:00 am, and drove them back to a breastworks containing 4,000 men.^[18] Around noon, Averell arrived with a battery and his three mounted infantry regiments, and drove the Confederate force south. More skirmishing was conducted on July 4 near Huttonville as the Confederates were driven further south. Fighting ended in rain around midnight, and the Union force returned to Webster in the morning.^[18]

Averell's Brigade boarded an eastbound train on July 8, and reported to Cumberland, Maryland to assist in pursuing Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia while it retreated from the Battle of Gettysburg.^[18] On July 13, the regiment under the command of Colonel Schoonmaker formed a junction with the Army of the Potomac and captured one of Lee's supply wagon trains along with several hundred prisoners. More prisoners were captured by the regiment on the next day.^[19] A detachment commanded by Major Foley rejoined the regiment shortly after July 15.^[3] Earlier on July 4, Foley led a force of 300 men (including men from the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry and other regiments) that burned a Potomac River bridge and took Confederate prisoners when trying to prevent Lee from escaping to Virginia.^[20] The reunited regiment crossed the Potomac River at Cherry Run on July 17, and marched through Hedgesville. They confronted Major General Jubal Early's Division of infantry artillery on July 19. The regiment, with Averell's Brigade and a division commanded by Brigadier General Benjamin Franklin Kelley, drove Early's Division back to Martinsburg. However, scouts discovered that Early was trying to move around the Union flank, so the Union force responded with a retreat to the safety of the other side of the Potomac River.^[19]

Averell's raids in 1863[]

Averell's raid in West Virginia[]

Union Army plan

On August 15, while in Petersburg in West Virginia's Hardy County, Averell received orders to destroy a saltpeter works, drive the Confederate Army out of Huntersville, and retrieve law books from Lewisburg after driving out any Confederate forces there.^{[21][Note 6]} At that time, Averell's force consisted of the 3rd and 8th West Virginia Mounted Infantries, the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry, Ewing's Battery, and Gibson's Cavalry Battalion.^[23] Gibson's Battalion was led by the Major Thomas Gibson of the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry, and consisted six companies that were from three different regiments.^{[24][Note 7]} The brigade destroyed a saltpeter works near Franklin on August 19, and drove Confederate troops commanded by Colonel William L. "Mudwall" Jackson away from Huntersville on August 22.^[28][29] The brigade moved east and the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry was involved in a skirmish near Warm Springs, Virginia, on August 24.^[30] Another saltpeter works was destroyed further south on August 25, and Averell's advance guard was intercepted by Confederate troops slightly east of White Sulphur Springs on the morning of August 26.^[31][32]

Fighting, in what became known as the Battle of White Sulphur Springs, lasted all day with neither side making much progress. During the battle, the 2nd West Virginia Infantry was caught in an exposed position too far from the rest of the Union lines. A mounted portion of the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry was sent to make a diversion by charging down the road toward the Confederate fortifications. A soldier from the 2nd West Virginia wrote that the 14th Pennsylvania "made one of the most daring charges of the war, not only facing a murderous storm of leaden hail from the front but also, to their surprise, received an enfilading fire along their flank from a large body of infantry concealed in a cornfield...."^[33] The charge was led by Colonel Schoonmaker and Captain John Bird from Company G. Bird was wounded, captured, and eventually taken to Libby Prison.^[34] Schoonmaker's horse was shot but he escaped on a dead soldier's horse.^[35] Over 100 men from the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry were killed, wounded, or captured in the battle—nearly half of all Union casualties.^[36] Fighting ended in the morning of the next day as both sides nearly exhausted their ammunition. Averell did not reach Lewisburg, and struggled north to safety by August 31 using blockades, deceptions, night marches, and back roads.^[37]

Averell's Lewisburg and railroad raid[]

Oley took a northwest route while Schoonmaker took a southwest route to try to cut off Confederate cavalry

On October 23, Averell was ordered to capture, or drive away, a Confederate force stationed near Lewisburg in Greenbrier County, West Virginia. A second Union force, which was commanded by Brigadier General Alfred N. Duffié, would approach Lewisburg from another direction and provide assistance. After Lewisburg, Averell was to attack the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad if practicable, and destroy the railroad bridge over the New River.^[38] Averell departed on November 1 and arrived at Huntersville on November 4.^[39]

From Huntersville, Averell attempted to encircle a Confederate cavalry regiment before it could retreat south. Averell used mounted forces commanded by Colonel John H. Oley and Colonel Schoonmaker, with Schoonmaker using the shorter (southwestern) route to try to cut off the Confederate regiment while Oley used a northwestern route to follow the Confederate rear. Confederate Colonel William W. Arnett became aware of the danger, and fled south toward Confederate troops commanded by Colonel William L. Jackson. Schoonmaker's force consisted of the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry and 3rd West Virginia Mounted Infantry, and they skirmished with entrenched Confederate troops near Mill Point as the Confederate cavalry escaped the trap.^[40] With the support of Oley and later Averell with the remainder of the brigade, Schoonmaker helped drive the Confederates back toward Droop Mountain.^[41]

On November 6 at Droop Mountain, Averell's Brigade soundly defeated an entrenched Confederate Army commanded by Brigadier General John Echols and Colonel Jackson.^[42][43] On Averell's left, Schoonmaker commanded a force that included the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry and most of the artillery. They created a diversion that enabled two infantry regiments to flank the Confederate mountaintop position, causing Confederate troops to be nearly surrounded before they fled south. When the fighting was mostly over, Gibson's Battalion was used to pursue the retreating Confederates.^[44] The raid on the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad was called off after reaching Lewisburg.^[45]

Salem raid[]

Most of the 14th Pennsylvania narrowly eluded capture in Averell's return from the Salem Raid

The Salem raid on the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad began on December 8, when Averell's Brigade departed from New Creek (present day Keyser, West Virginia).^[46] Colonel Schoonmaker was sick and hospitalized, so the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel William H. Blakeley. Majors Daily and Foley were also with the regiment, and Major Gibson led his independent command. Averell's Brigade for this raid consisted of his mounted regiments plus Gibson's Cavalry Battalion and Ewing's 6-gun battery.^[47] The purpose of the raid was to destroy portions of the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad.^[48] The 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry was armed with seven-shot carbines, Colt's navy revolvers, and sabers.^[49]

The regiment usually had the advance on the way to Salem, and often skirmished with bushwhackers or small groups of Confederate soldiers.^[50] After a total of eight days and moving over 200 miles (320 km) in rain and snow, Averell reached Salem on December 16.^[51] A portion of the cavalry entered the town with Averell and immediately cut the town's telegraph wires and sent out pickets.^[52] The remaining portion of the brigade then came in town and spent about six hours destroying supplies, the Salem train depot, railroad bridges, tracks, and culverts. The short time spent in the target town was caused by the discovery that a train with Major General Fitzhugh Lee's Brigade of Cavalry was on its way to Salem.^[52] Averell announced to the local Confederate loyalists that he planned to attack the town of Buchanan next—a ruse designed to mislead pursuing Confederate forces.^[53] The return trip started in late afternoon with the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry in the vanguard until they reached New Castle, where the regiment became the rear guard.^[54]

Passing through Fincastle on December 18, Averell learned that pursuing Confederates were in front and on the right, causing him to split his command and take obscure roads south of Covington toward a bridge across the Jackson River near Clifton Forge.^[55] While Averell's column was able to cross the bridge, the column led by Lieutenant Colonel Blakeley met resistance from troops commanded by Colonel Jackson on the evening of December 19. The front of the column, including Company A of the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry and Blakeley, crossed the bridge. The remaining portion of the regiment, four companies from the 3rd West Virginia Mounted Infantry, wagons, and ambulances were cut off from the bridge.^[56] Fighting continued all night, and Averell destroyed the bridge in the morning because he feared he could not prevent Jackson's men from crossing it. Any wagons and ambulances that had not crossed the bridge were set on fire. At that time, Confederate officers contacted the regiment's Major Foley demanding surrender. Foley refused, and men from the regiment began shouting "the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry never surrenders".^[56] A place about two miles (3.2 km) upriver was successfully used to ford the river, and the assumed-captured force caught up with Averell in the Allegheny Mountains.^[57] The brigade reached the safety of Beverly on December 25.^[58] Casualties for the regiment were six drowned, five wounded, and 25 captured in the attempted bridge crossing near Covington.^{[59][Note 8]}

Crook-Averell 1864 Raid on the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad[]

Union Army plan to attack railroad and Confederate assets

At the beginning of 1864, Averell's Brigade, including the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry, had its winter quarters at Martinsburg, West Virginia.^[62] Cavalry in the Department of West Virginia was reorganized multiple times in early 1864.^[63] Averell was given command of the 2nd Cavalry Division, which included the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry in a brigade commanded by Colonel Schoonmaker. Brigadier General Duffié commanded the other brigade.^[64] The 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry was commanded by Major John M. Daily.^[65] In mid-April, Averell's Division moved across West Virginia by railroad and joined Brigadier General George Crook in a raid on the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad. A salt mine was the target for Averell, while a railroad bridge was the target for Crook.^[66] Crook was the leader of the expedition and had a large infantry force of over 6,100 men.^[67] Separately, Averell had a small cavalry force of 2,079 men from his division.^[68]

A salt mine, lead mine, and bridge over the New River were all targets for the Union Army in addition to the railroad and its depots.

Averell's first objective was to attack the salt mine in Saltville, Virginia that was located on the border between Virginia's Tazwell County and Smyth County. While in Tazwell County on May 8, Averell discovered that his route to Saltville was blocked by a large force of Confederate soldiers with artillery commanded by Brigadier General William "Grumble" Jones and Brigadier General John Hunt Morgan.^[68] He abandoned the attack on the salt mine, and proceeded east toward Wytheville and its lead mine, intending to join Crook.^[66] Entering the northern part of Wythe County, Virginia, on May 10, Averell's cavalry fought the inconclusive Battle of Cove Mountain. Schoonmaker's Brigade started the fighting in the four-hour battle.^[69] Jones and Morgan had also moved east, and they successfully prevented Averell's cavalry from moving through Cove Gap to Wytheville.^[70] Union losses were 114 casualties.^[71][72] Averell escaped at night over the mountains using a different (and more difficult) route, and eventually destroyed 26 bridges and portions of railroad track between Christiansburg and the New River. On May 15, he finally linked with Crook, who had a major victory at the Battle of Cloyd's Mountain and destroyed the large bridge over the New River.^[73]

Duncan's detachment[]

Col. Tibbits

During the Crook-Averell Raid, a detachment of dismounted men from the regiment was left behind under the command of Captain Ashbel F. Duncan and Lieutenant Colonel Blakeley.^[74] The detachment was mounted and assigned to a brigade commanded by Colonel William B. Tibbits.^[75] The detachment was in the advance when the Battle of New Market started on May 15, and several men were killed and wounded—and most of the horses were killed.^[76] The detachment was remounted for the Battle of Piedmont on June 5 as part of an army newly commanded by Major General David Hunter. In the battle, Duncan's men made a dismounted charge into enemy earthworks, and took prisoners.^[76] On June 6, Hunter's army arrived at Staunton, Virginia, and Confederate supplies stored there were destroyed or distributed among the troops. Area workshops and factories were destroyed, and all railroad bridges and depots were destroyed.^[77]

Hunter's attack on Lynchburg[]

Hunter's Raid on Lynchburg

Averell and Crook arrived in Staunton on June 8 as ordered by Hunter, and the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry and its detachment were reunited.^[78] The cavalry was reorganized on June 9, with Duffié in command of the 1st Division and Averell in command of the 2nd Division. Schoonmaker, Oley, and Colonel William Powell commanded the three brigades of the 2nd Division, respectively. Schoonmaker's Brigade consisted of the 8th Ohio Cavalry Regiment and the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry.^[79] Major Daily commanded the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry.^[80]

Averell's Division arrived in Lexington on June 11 around noon, with the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry in the advance.^[80] Schoonmaker's Brigade drove away Confederate troops, including cadets from the Virginia Military Institute (a.k.a. VMI), commanded by Brigadier General John McCausland. The town was extremely hostile, and Union soldiers were shot at from the direction of buildings belonging to VMI. Hunter ordered the buildings bombed and destroyed.^[81] He also relieved Schoonmaker from command because Schoonmaker did not burn VMI when he took the town.^{[Note 9]} On the next day, Hunter ordered Schoonmaker to proceed south with his brigade, and handed Schoonmaker a paper that said Hunter's treatment of Schoonmaker "had been under a misapprehension".^[82] Moving toward Lynchburg, the Averell's Division went to Buchanan, across the Blue Ridge Mountains, and arrived at Liberty on the morning of June 16. During that time, McCausland's troops were confronted by the regiment and driven away with the assistance of the whole brigade.^[81] Continuing through Liberty, Averell attacked McCausland and Imboden at New London around dusk, driving the Confederate force away.^[83]

At sunrise on June 17, Averell moved north by the old road from New London to Lynchburg, and skirmished with Confederate troops until they got four miles (6.4 km) from town and fighting became more intense.^[83] The battle began with Schoonmaker's Brigade arriving first and deploying on the left of the pike. Powell's and Oley's brigades arrived next. The cavalry fought dismounted until late in the afternoon, when it was replaced by infantry and artillery.^[84] Fighting continued on the next day with the cavalry back in front, although the Union forces were on the defensive instead of attacking. At dark, the regiment was surprised to learn that Schoonmaker's and Powell's brigades were the only Union troops active in the field—all other troops and wagons had already begun to fall back. The 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry was therefore the first and last regiment in the Battle of Lynchburg.^[84] The retreat was made westward through Liberty, Bonsack, Salem, New Castle, Sweet Springs, Lewisburg, and finally Gauley Bridge. Averell's entire division fought for two hours near Liberty until its ammunition was exhausted, and then was relieved by Crook's infantry. Averell lost 122 men.^[85] The regiment's casualties from June 10 through June 23 totaled to 27.^[86] Losses for all divisions were 938.^[87]

Near Winchester[]

Rutherford's Farm[]

Br. Gen. Averell

In early July, the regiment left Charleston, West Virginia, and took a three-day train ride with their horses from Parkersburg to the rail station at Martinsburg.^[88] They were part of the 1st Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division, Army of West Virginia. Schoonmaker was still the brigade commander, and Averell was still the division commander. Hunter was still commander of the Department of West Virginia, but Brigadier General Crook commanded the army in the field.^[89] Major Daily commanded the regiment.^[90] While portions of the Union army were still arriving in the Martinsburg area, Averell was sent from Martinsburg toward Winchester to meet a perceived threat to the B&O Railroad from Major General Jubal Early's Army of the Valley.^[91] Averell's force, which included portions of his cavalry (including the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry), began advancing south on the Valley Pike on July 19.^[92] On the morning of July 20, he moved further south—from Bunker Hill to about three miles (4.8 km) north of Winchester.^[93] During the advance, he sent a detachment of 200 men from the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry to the west side of Winchester, and the main body of the regiment was sent east to attack Berryville. Despite being outnumbered, Averell won the Battle of Rutherford's Farm against Confederate Major General Stephen Dodson Ramseur. The 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry did not participate in the fighting.^[94]

Kernstown[]

Crook's army was driven back across the Potomac River

Averell occupied Winchester, and Crook arrived on July 22 and assumed command. Most of the army camped on the south side of town, not far from Kernstown. On July 24, Averell was ordered to conduct a flanking maneuver (Crook's left, Confederate right) near the Front Royal road to cut off what Crook believed was a small band of Confederates.^[95] By 11:00 am, Schoonmaker's Brigade began the maneuver as the advance.^[96] Schoonmaker discovered a huge Conferate force trying to turn the Union left flank.^[97] Soon Averell's force of 1,500 men had 3,000 Confederate infantry men from the division of Major General Robert E. Rodes on the right and 2,200 Confederate cavalrymen from Brigadier General John C. Vaughn's Division on the left.^[98] While Crook's infantry was falling back, the infantry of Rodes tried to cut off Averell from the rest of Crook's army. Rodes' men on foot could not outrace Averell's cavalry, but they did cause a panic—especially Schoonmaker's Brigade that had absorbed the brunt of the initial attack.^[98] Union forces retreated through Winchester, continued across the Potomac River, and finally stopped at Hagerstown, Maryland. The Second Battle of Kernstown was a major defeat for Crook, and a victory for Early with attached forces.^[99] Union casualties were 1,185 killed, wounded or missing; including 13 for the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry.^[100]

Chambersburg and Moorefield[]

During late July and early August, Colonel Schoonmaker was running a camp for dismounted cavalry in Pleasant Valley, Maryland.^[101] Its purpose was to remount and re-equip men from the division. A detachment of 212 men from the camp, led by Lieutenant Colonel Blakeley, assisted Brigadier General Wesley Merritt's Division in August. The detachment returned to camp around mid-August, and Blakeley was badly injured from being thrown from his horse.^[102] The remaining portion of the regiment was with Averell, who was stationed in Hagerstown and had troops guarding nearby fords along the Potomac River. Averell had only 1,260 men and two pieces of artillery in his command.^[103] Major Gibson, who had been leading an independent cavalry battalion, returned to the regiment, and was assigned command of the 1st Brigade. Captain Kerr was assigned command of the regiment.^[104]

After Early's victory in the Second Battle of Kernstown, he moved his infantry to Martinsburg and his cavalry deployed along the Potomac River. He sent two cavalry brigades north commanded by McCausland and Bradley Johnson, with McCausland having overall command. They crossed the Potomac River west of Williamsport, Maryland on July 29, assisted by diversionary crossings at other locations by Imboden and "Mudwall" Jackson.^[105] The Union force nearest to McCausland belonged to Averell, and his communications were cut around noon on that day.^[106]

Chambersburg[]

Chambersburg ruins after burning on July 30, 1864

On July 30, McCausland burnt the town of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, and then moved west and rested his horses. The 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry, commanded by Major Gibson, entered the town's main street too late to save anything.^[107] Moving west on the McConnellsburg Turnpike, Averell skirmished with the Confederate rear guard for about an hour near McConnellsburg. McCausland moved past Bedford to Hancock in Maryland, where he demanded a ransom to spare the town from being burned. While the people of the town were raising the ransom, Gibson and the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry attacked without Averell's main column. Later near the evening, Averell's full force attacked and drove McCausland toward Cumberland.^[108] Averell's actions may have prevented the burning of Hancock in Maryland, and McConnellsburg and Bedford in Pennsylvania.^[109]

McCausland had been able to secure fresh horses, leaving none for Averell and causing Averell to pause in his pursuit in Hancock.^[110] Averell rested his horses and troops until August 3, when he received an order from General David Hunter to pursue McCausland and attack "wherever found".^[111] He moved on the next day. Averell's force received food for his men and horses at Springfield, West Virginia, north of Romney. He learned that McCausland was moving south toward Moorefield.^[111] Averell also received 500 reinforcements, increasing his force to 1,760 men.^[112] McCausland's cavalry had about 3,000 men plus a battery of four guns.^[113] McCausland set up camp in West Virginia on the pike where it crosses the South Branch Potomac River between Romney and Moorefield. His brigade camped on the south side of the river, while Bradley Johnson's Brigade camped on the north side.^[114]

Moorefield[]

Averell's approach to Confederate camps led by Kerr's scouts and Gibson's Brigade that included the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry

Averell arrived in Romney, around 11:00 am on August 6. At that time he sent a battalion of men from the 22nd Pennsylvania Cavalry away from the main road to block McCausland's route east back to the Shenandoah Valley.^[115] Averell's main force continued south at 1:00 am on August 7. The force was led by a group of scouts dressed in Confederate uniforms, followed by the main force far enough behind that it could not be detected. The scouts were led by Captain Kerr of the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry.^[116] Kerr selected his men for the mission, and most were from Company C or D. They moved forward on foot in darkness and fog.^[113] At about 2:30 am, Kerr's scouts began deceiving and capturing various squads of pickets posted along the main road.^[117]

Early in the morning, about 60 of Kerr's men wearing Confederate uniforms entered Johnson's camp and calmly moved further south past the Confederate 1st Maryland Cavalry. Then Gibson's Brigade, including the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry, attacked Johnson's surprised men, and captured more than they could control. Johnson himself was captured, but escaped after being sent to the rear unrecognized.^[118][119] Kerr was shot in the face and thigh, and his horse killed—yet he captured the flag of the 8th Virginia Cavalry and rode away on the color bearer's horse.^[120] McCausland's Brigade, camped south of the river, had some warning of the attack. However, Powell's 2nd Brigade and the battalion from the 22nd Pennsylvania Cavalry thoroughly dispersed and scattered Confederate resistance. Averell captured 27 officers and 393 enlisted men, 4 artillery pieces, and 400 horses. The Confederate killed and wounded was unknown. Union losses were 7 killed and 21 wounded.^[121] A Union soldier from Powell's Brigade estimated that the "loss to the enemy in killed, wounded and captured was near eight hundred".^[122] Captain Thomas R. Kerr, of the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry, was awarded the Medal of Honor.^[123]

Shenandoah Valley[]

In mid-August, Major General Philip Sheridan reorganized his cavalry. Brigadier General Alfred Torbert was made commander of the Cavalry Corps. Averell was made commander of the 2nd Division, with Schoonmaker and Powell as this brigade commanders. Schoonmaker's 1st Brigade of cavalry regiments consisted of the 14th Pennsylvania, 22nd Pennsylvania, and 8th Ohio. The 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry would now be fighting in the Shenandoah Valley as part of a large army.^[124]

Third Battle of Winchester[]

Schoonmaker's Brigade was part of the Union attack from the north.

On September 19, Sheridan's army of 40,000 men defeated Early's army of 15,000 men in the Third Battle of Winchester (a.k.a. the Battle of Opequon Creek). One division of Union cavalry and two corps of infantry attacked from the east, while Averell's cavalry and an additional cavalry division commanded by Brigadier General Wesley Merritt attacked from the north.^[125] Major Foley had been wounded earlier in the month, so Captain Ashbel F. Duncan led the regiment.^[126][127] In this battle, the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry had 14 of the 19 casualties for Schoonmaker's Brigade.^[128] Schoonmaker was later awarded the Medal of Honor for the capture of Star Fort.^[129] Summarizing the battle, Confederate General Early wrote that his army "deserved the victory, and would have had it, but for the enemy's immense superiority in cavalry, which alone gave it to him".^[130]

Almost all of the regiment's fighting occurred north of Winchester. Close to the edge of Winchester, Averell ordered Schoonmaker's Brigade to capture Star Fort, which stood on a hill on the northwest side of town. The fort had a well-supported battery, and the brigade's first charge was unsuccessful.^[131] A new line of about 300 men from the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry was formed and led by Captain Duncan, who attempted to capture the fort's guns while another portion of the regiment moved around the flank of the enemy. While this was happening, Schoonmaker was notified that Duncan had been killed while partially up the hill, so Schoonmaker hurried up the hill to lead in person. Schoonmaker found Duncan still alive and mounted, but badly wounded. Duncan finally received a fatal wound while his men overran the earth works. The regiment captured one of the Confederate cannons and about 300 men while the rest of the Confederates fled before they were surrounded.^[132] Duncan was shot seven times, and was carried off the field to die.^[127] Captain William F. Miles became the regiment's commander.^[133]

Fisher's Hill[]

Fisher's Hill and surrounding area

The Battle of Fisher's Hill occurred on September 21–22, 1864. Sheridan's army, now numbering about 29,000, defeated Early's army of less than 10,000. The battle took place further south of Winchester near the Valley Pike, slightly south of Strasburg, Virginia.^[134] In this battle, Schoonmaker's Brigade was used as part of a diversion on the right (Confederate left) while Crook's Army of West Virginia flanked the Confederate left using a concealed approach from North Mountain.^[135][136] Early's men fled south in disorder, and were pursued by the other half of Averell's Division, Powell's Brigade.^[137] Casualties were light for the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry, one man wounded of the brigade's total of two.^[138] Early reported only 30 killed and 210 wounded, although he had no information about his cavalry. He reported 995 missing, but estimated only about half were captured. He also lost 12 artillery pieces.^[139] The fighting stopped around twilight, and the Confederates used canister to slow the pursuit.^[140]

After the battle, Sheridan pressured his commanders to pursue Early's retreating army. Sheridan became impatient with Averell, who he considered too cautious. On September 23, Sheridan replaced Averell with Powell, who took command on the next day.^[141] Averell chose two companies from the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry, Companies A and H, to escort him to Winchester.^[142] Powell's Division moved south to Mount Jackson.^[143]

Weyer's Cave[]

The 14th Pennsylvania narrowly was near Harrisonburg and Staunton in late September

Following the Battle of Fisher's Hill, the two armies continued south along the pike. Major Daily commanded the regiment while Schoonmaker commanded the 1st Brigade. Lieutenant Colonel Blakeley was in Pittsburgh for a court martial case, Major Gibson was under arrest, and Major Foley was still in a hospital for his wounds. Early was pursued up the valley through New Market, and eventually eastward as he moved toward Port Republic and Brown's Gap.^[144] Powell's Division patrolled the areas around Harrisonburg, Mount Crawford, and Staunton.^[145] The division arrived at Weyer's Cave in the afternoon of September 26, and Schoonmaker's Brigade crossed the South River and attacked enemy cavalry. The brigade drove the Confederate cavalry east until it encountered infantry and artillery. Fighting until dark, the brigade returned to Weyer's Cave on the west side of the river.^[146] On the morning of September 27, a Confederate artillery shell flew through Schoonmaker's headquarters and exploded harmlessly beyond it. The 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry was quickly formed in line and charging the enemy again. Soon it was discovered that they were fighting as many as five Confederate divisions, and the regiment was driven back. The regiment contested its position so well that the Adjutant General of Pennsylvania ordered them to have an inscription on their regimental battle flag that read: "Weyer's Cave September 27th 1864 For Gallantry in Battle."^[147]

The Burning[]

Br. Gen. Custer

Near the close of the skirmish at Weyer's Cave, Major General George Armstrong Custer arrived to succeed Powell as commander of the division. Early's army left pre-dawn and moved toward Staunton and Waynesboro. Powell's Division moved to Port Republic where it camped, and Powell turned over command to Custer. Most of Sheridan's army fell back to Cedar Creek and Harrisonburg.^[148] For the next two weeks, much of the farming infrastructure and food between Harrisonburg and Staunton was destroyed by detachments from Sheridan's Army. Sheridan reported on October 7 that "I have destroyed over 2,000 barns filled with wheat, hay and farming implements; over 70 mills, filled with flour and wheat; have driven in front of the army over 4,000 head of stock, and have killed and issued to the troops not less than 3,000 sheep."^[149] Custer's 2nd Division, including the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry, was among those assigned with this task.^[150] During this time on September 30, Custer was transferred to command the 3rd Cavalry Division, and Powell returned to command the 2nd Cavalry Division.^[151]

Cedar Creek[]

Philip Sheridan

On October 3, a picket post composed of 44 men from the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry were captured near Mount Jackson. The remainder of the regiment was stationed near Cedar Creek, where they would participate in a battle a few weeks later.^[152] The Battle of Cedar Creek started with a surprise attack for Early's Army in the early morning hours of October 19, 1864.^[153] Early struck the Union Army's left flank where the only Union cavalry nearby was the 1st Cavalry Brigade from Powell's Division. The brigade was composed of the 14th and 22nd Pennsylvania and the 8th Ohio regiments.^[154] For the battle, the 1st Cavalry Brigade was commanded by Colonel Alpheus Moore of the 8th Ohio Cavalry, and Major Gibson commanded the regiment.^[155] The 14th Pennsylvania was awakened before daylight when pickets from the 8th Ohio Cavalry galloped into camp with Confederate cavalry following them and screaming the rebel yell. During the morning fighting, the "officer in command of the brigade" (Colonel Moore) refused to dismount his men to support the division of Brigadier General Thomas Devin.^[156] The battle appeared to be a defeat for the Union until General Sheridan arrived and rallied his troops. Casualties in this battle totaled to 5,665, and over 5,400 were for men from the infantry.^[157] Only one soldier from the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry was wounded.^[158] Despite a smaller number of Confederate casualties of about 2,900, Early's Army was driven from the field and the battle was a Union victory.^[153] After the battle, Colonel Moore was placed under arrest, and Major Gibson became commander of the 1st Brigade.^[159]

Luray Valley[]

Nineveh[]

BG Powell

Beginning November 10, Special Order Number 18 assigned the to the 1st Brigade of Brigadier General Powell's 2nd Division. Colonel William B. Tibbits, from the 21st New York Cavalry, was assigned to command the 1st Brigade, relieving Major Gibson. Colonel Moore was released from arrest and directed to command his regiment, the 8th Ohio Cavalry.^[159] Separately, Major John M. Daily was dismissed for absence without leave effective November 11, but reinstated seven months later as a lieutenant colonel.^[160][161] The 2nd Division fought Major General Lunsford L. Lomax's cavalry on November 12 near Nineveh, Virginia. Powell sent Tibbits with his 1st Brigade out beyond Front Royal, where it encountered a portion of Lomax's cavalry commanded by McCausland.^[162] The Confederates slowly pushed the 1st Brigade back. Powell brought his 2nd Brigade to the front while the 1st Brigade moved to the rear.^[163] The 2nd Brigade charged, resulting in a short clash that ended with the Confederates retreating for 8 miles (12.9 km).^[164] All of the Confederate artillery (two guns), two caissons, two wagons and an ambulance were captured. Confederate casualties were 20 killed, 35 wounded, and 161 captured including 19 officers. Prisoners said McCausland was slightly wounded and escaped through the woods. Union losses were two killed and 15 wounded.^{[162][Note 10]}

Mosby[]

The 14th PA Cavalry patrolled Virginia during November and December 1864

The Powell's Division skirmished near Rude's Hill for about six hours on November 23. After making a charge at entrenchments near New Market, the division was flanked by enemy cavalry. This caused the division to move north, where it went into camp between Front Royal and Winchester.^[167] November 24 was Thanksgiving Day, and the regiment cooked turkeys sent by friends of Brigadier General Tibbits for his brigade. While still cooking, Mosby's guerillas attacked the camp.^[168] The regiment faced numerous bushwhackers while serving in western Virginia, and had already had numerous encounters with Mosby's men.^{[Note 11]} Mosby was quickly chased off by the regiment, and ten of Mosby's men were killed or wounded.^[168]

Major Gibson was assigned command of 1st Brigade on December 7.^[169] A few weeks later on December 17, Captain William Miles of Company I went on a scouting expedition with 100 men toward Ashby's Gap.^[170] Mosby ambushed this scouting party from a woods near Millwood, Virginia, killing Miles and about a dozen others. About 20 others were wounded, and nearly everybody else was captured. Mosby set one man free from Company K after slashing his face with a saber, allowing him to return to camp covered with blood to tell the story of the ambush. The wounded still remaining in the area and the bodies of the dead were recovered on the next day.^[168] Mosby sent his prisoners to Libby Prison.^[171]

Winter 1864-1865 and war's end[]

Winter[]

The Union railroad raid at Gordonsville was unsuccessful.

The regiment's winter camp was located in Winchester. On December 19, the regiment participated in a failed expedition to Gordonsville that was expected to capture the town and enable portions of the Virginia Central Railroad to be destroyed.^[172][173] The organization of Sheridan's Middle Military Division at the end of 1864 had Powell in command of the 2nd Cavalry Division, Tibbits in command of the division's 1st Brigade, and Schoonmaker in command of the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry.^[174] Lieutenant Colonel Blakeley, who had been dismissed, was restored to commission.^{[175][Note 12]} The final expedition of the winter began on February 19, 1865, and ended with Major Gibson and his men ambushed by Mosby between Ashby's Gap and the Shenandoah River. Gibson's horse was shot and fell on him, although he was eventually able to find another horse and escape. Gibson's loss was one officer wounded, and 80 men missing.^[177][178]

Fighting ends[]

The regiment left winter camp on April 4, and moved up the Shenandoah Valley. Major Foley resigned on April 6.^[179] Lee surrendered at Appomattox on April 9, and the regiment was ordered to Washington on April 20. For the next month, they camped in Virginia at Arlington, Fairfax Court House, and Alexandria.^[180] The men of the regiment whose term of enlistment expired prior to October 1, 1865, mustered out in late May and early June.^[181] Lieutenant Colonel Blakeley resigned effective June 6.^[179] The remainder of the regiment was consolidated into six companies and left Washington on June 11 on a B&O Railroad train. They arrived in Fort Leavenworth in Kansas on June 28, and the reinstated Major Daily was promoted to lieutenant colonel on that day.^[179] Most of the men mustered out on July 31, including Colonel Schoonmaker. On August 5, Company A escorted General Grenville M. Dodge on a trip across the plains. The remaining men other than Company A were mustered out on August 24. Company A, after returning from its western plains trip, mustered out on November 2.^[181]

The regiment began its fighting in Beverly, West Virginia, on July 3, 1863. Its last fight was at Ashby's Gap on February 19, 1865. In between, members of the regiment fought in nearly 90 skirmishes and battles.^[182] In 31 of those engagements, the regiment suffered casualties.^[183] The regiment had two medal of honor winners, and two of its men commanded brigades.^[184] During the war, the regiment lost 2 officers and 97 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded. Disease resulted in the death of 296 enlisted men.^[11]

See also[]

• List of Pennsylvania Civil War units

Notes[]

Footnotes[]

Citations[]

References[]

External links[]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry.

• National Park Service - James Martinus Schoonmaker
• The Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District - Star Fort
• Regimental Flag
• Recruiting poster
• 14th PA Cavalry marker at Droop Mountain