HISTORY OF THE 3RD PENNSYLVANIA CAVALRY
The 3rd Pennsylvania Cavalry was organized during the summer of 1861 as an independent cavalry regiment, known as Young�s Light Kentucky Cavalry. It was not officially credited to the state until October when it was numbered as the 3rd Cavalry. After organization, the regiment proceeded to Washington and went into camp at Camp Marcy along the Potomac River.
In March 1862, the regiment participated in the advance to Manasses. Then moved by water to Fort Monroe. After skirmishing during the siege of York town, the 3rd Cavalry was frequently engaged during the Battle of Williamsburg.
During the seven days battles, the regiment fought at Whites Oak Swamp and formed part of the army�s rearguard during the retreat to Malvern Hill.
The Regiment remained actively engaged with the enemy skirmishers until the army was with drawn from the peninsula in August. After arriving at Alexandria, the 3rd was temporarily assigned to First Corps Headquarters and remained on this duty during the September Maryland campaign. The unit then actively skirmished with rebel cavalry during the Army of the Potomac�s advance through Virginia to Fredericksburg.
After the disastrous battle of Fredericksburg, the regiment went into winter quarters near Falmouth. It took part in the cavalry fight as Kelly�s Ford, then participated with most of the cavalry corps in the raid across the rear of Lee�s army during the Chancellorsville Campaign.
At Gettysburg, on July 3rd, the 3rd cavalry fought in the cavalry battle east of the main armies. Helping to defeat an attempt by the rebel cavalry to attack the rear of the Army of the Potomac. Captain Miller of Company H received a Medal of Honor for his gallant service on the fields of East Cavalry Battle Field.
After returning to Virginia, the regiment took an active part in Bristol Station and Mine Run Campaigns before setting into winter quarters near Warrenton.
On February 26, 1864, the regiment was detached from the second division of the cavalry corps and assigned to duty in the Provost Guard. Although this detail did not involve active combat duty, the varied duties of the Provost Guard required long hours. The regiment acted as Army Headquarters guards and orderlies, provided cavalry escorts for the generals, accompanied prisoners to the rear, and guarded the army cattle and wagon trains.
The regiment performed this duty until late July 1864, when the term of service of most of its members expired. The survivors were consolidated into a battalion of three companies. The remaining three companies continued to serve with Provost Guard. During the months of September, October and November 1864, enough recruits were assigned to the regiment to form five new companies.
The regiment fought at Hatcher�s Run on February 5th-7th, 1865, and at Five Forks on March 29. When generals Grant and Meade entered Petersburg, elements of the 3rd cavalry provided their escort. After Lee�s surrender, the regiment acted as Military Police in Richmond until June 1865. During that time four companies were mustered out of service and the survivors merged with the 5th Pennsylvania Cavalry. The men remained in service until early August, when they were sent home and returned to civilian life.
A detailed history of the company is in the Captains library. If anyone is interested in the history that dates back to its beginning in 1798 in Shippensburg/Newville, Pennsylvania, you can e-mail him at [email protected]