8th Pennsylvania Cavalry
8th Pennsylvania Cavalry Monument, Gettysburg National Battlefield, Pennsylvania
Active	August 1861 to July 24, 1865
Country	United States
Allegiance	Union
Branch	Cavalry
Engagements	Siege of Yorktown Battle of Seven Pines Seven Days Battles Battle of Antietam Battle of Fredericksburg Battle of Chancellorsville Battle of Gettysburg Bristoe Campaign Mine Run Campaign Battle of the Wilderness Battle of Todd's Tavern Battle of Spotsylvania Court House Battle of Yellow Tavern Battle of Haw's Shop Battle of Cold Harbor Battle of Trevilian Station Siege of Petersburg Battle of Jerusalem Plank Road Battle of Saint Mary's Church First Battle of Deep Bottom Second Battle of Ream's Station Battle of Peebles's Farm Battle of Hatcher's Run Appomattox Campaign Battle of Five Forks Battle of Sailor's Creek Battle of Cumberland Church Battle of Appomattox Court House

The 8th Pennsylvania Cavalry (89th Volunteers) was a cavalry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.

Service

First intended to be equipped as a volunteer infantry regiment^{[note 1]} the 8th Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry was recruited in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and in Lycoming, Bucks and Schuylkill counties. It was mustered into the Federal service from July 23 to September 17, 1861, at Philadelphia, for a three years' term under the command of Colonel Ernest G. Chorman. It left the state for Washington on October 4, where it was brigaded with the 3rd Pennsylvania cavalry in Daniel Butterfield's 3rd Brigade of Fitz John Porter’s Division.^[2] The regiment spent the winter in the vicinity of the capital in the performance of various routine duties.^[3] On January 17, 1862, the vacancy caused by the retirement of Col. Chorman was filled by the appointment of Capt. David McMurtrie Gregg, of the 6th U. S. Cavalry,^{[note 2]}.

In the Peninsular campaign the brigade was enlarged by the addition of the 1st U.S. Cavalry and was attached to the Army of the Potomac’s (AoP) IV Corps. .^[1] It shared in a light skirmish at New Kent Court House and soon after participated in a severe skirmish near Garnett's house, where it suffered its first losses. In April 1862, the regiment was moved to Blake's Brigade, Cavalry Reserve, Army of the Potomac, to July 1862. It was present at the Battle of Fair Oaks and active at Malvern hill. During this campaign companies D, A and B were detached from the regiment on special duties.

Upon the AoP’s retreat to Harrison's landing, Col. Gregg moved up to the 8th’s cavalry brigade which was employed in heavy picket duties. As part of Stoneman's division, its brigade moved with Pleasonton's brigade to Yorktown, serving as rear-guard, but returned to Alexandria just after the second Bull Run battle.^[1]

On September 4, it was sent to Freedom Hill, encountering the enemy there, at Sugarloaf Mountain and Darnestown. It was now in the 2nd Brigade of Pleasanton's Cavalry Division.^[4] On the 12th it entered Frederick and drove out the rear-guard of the enemy's cavalry, capturing a number of prisoners. It then moved on a reconnaissance north into Pennsylvania to Gettysburg,^{[note 3]} captured about 50 more prisoners, and thence marched to the Antietam battlefield, skirmishing on the Sharpsburg Pike on the day after the battle. 00 It remained encamped at Sharpsburg for a time; had a sharp engagement with the enemy at Charlestown; and on October 26, as a part of Pleasonton's cavalry, led the advance of the army into Virginia, being engaged in rapid succession with heavy losses at Philomont, Upperville, Aldie, Barbour's Crossroads, Ashby's Gap, Chester Gap, Orleans, Amissville and Hazel River. It was next assigned to picket duty at the fords of the Rapidan and Rappahannock, and while in the vicinity of Leeds, a squadron under Capt. ·Wilson, was captured after a spirited resistance.^[5]

Under the command of Lieut. Col. Amos E. Griffiths,^[6] the regiment moved to Fredericksburg on the night before the battle and had one squadron engaged on the following day. When Brig. Gen. Bayard fell, Col. Gregg took command of the division and was officially notified on the field of his promotion to brigadier general. Maj. Huey succeeded to the command of the regiment on June 17, 1862.^[5] The regiment now returned to Falmouth and was employed in scout and picket duty along the Rappahannock, going into winter quarters at Acquia creek about the middle of February 1863. While here it was assigned. to Col. Devin's brigade of Pleasonton's division, comprising the 8th and 17th Pa. and 6th N. Y. cavalry.

On April 21 it embarked upon the Chancellorsville campaign and in the first day's fighting at Chancellorsville suffered heavily in killed, wounded and horses. On May 2nd, it made one of the most gallant charges in the war, winning for itself the following commendation from Gen. Pleasonton: "The distinguished gallantry of the 8th Pa. regiment, in charging the head of the enemy's column, advancing on the XI corps, on the evening of the 2nd inst., has excited the highest admiration. * * * The gallant McVikar, the generous chivalric Keenan, with 150 killed and wounded from your small numbers. attest the terrible earnestness that animated the midnight conflict of the second of May."^[5]

After the battle, it moved to Potomac creek, and on the 14th to Acquia creek and Falmouth, being engaged in picket duties until the Gettysburg campaign. It was in action at New Market, losing 15 killed and wounded, and as part of the 2nd brigade, 2nd cavalry division, it moved on the 30th to Westminster, thence to Hanover Junction and on July 4, to Emmitsburg, where it joined the command of Brig. Gen. Kilpatrick, crossed South Mountain and assisted in the capture of 250 wagons and 600 prisoners of the enemy's wagon train.^[5]

During the next few days, it was engaged in constant skirmishing in the vicinity of Boonesboro and Jones' cross-roads. Returning to Virginia, it was engaged in guard and picket duty on the Manassas railroad and at Thoroughfare Gap, and in August it became a part of the 1st brigade commanded by Gen. J. Irvin Gregg.^[5] In the campaign which followed, the regiment was heavily engaged at Sulphur springs, and was again in action two days later at Bristoe Station. In the advance to Mine Run, it was sharply engaged at New Hope Church and on its return went into winter quarters at Bealeton Station. During the winter it engaged in raids into the Luray Valley and through Chester gap. Most of the men reenlisted at this time and were given veteran furloughs by battalions.^[5]

Upon the opening of the Wilderness campaign the 8th participated in the various movements and battles of Sheridan's corps, losing about 100 men on the Richmond raid, 25 at Haw's shop, and 35 at Trevilian Station. At St. Mary's Church, Gregg's division was attacked by superior numbers, and the 8th again lost heavily, Col. Huey and Capt. Piggott being captured, and some 40 men being killed, wounded or missing.^[5]

On July 1, it crossed the James with its division, moved to Blackwater, and was engaged on picket duty until the 26th on the Jerusalem plank road. It then crossed the Appomattox and the James; was in action at Malvern hill, and again on the Charles City road. About two weeks later it was again engaged at Charles City Road and in August was in action the whole day at Yellow Tavern,^[4] where Lieut. Col.·Wilson was among the wounded, and the command devolved on Maj. Wistar. The regiment was now reduced to about 200 men fit for duty.^[5] At Reams' station, on Aug. 23, Maj. Wistar was among the wounded and the command devolved on Capt. Alex. McCallum, all its field officers having been killed, wounded or captured.

It participated in the cavalry operations during the siege of Petersburg and in the spring of 1865, moved with Sheridan to Five Forks, participating in a brilliant campaign which resulted in the surrender of Lee, after which the 8th was ordered to Lynchburg and consolidated with the 16th Pennsylvania Cavalry on July 24.^[5] It was finally mustered out with that organization on Aug. 11 1865, at Richmond.^[4]

Detailed service

Casualties

The regiment lost a total of 188 men during service; 5 officers and 55 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded, 2 officers and 126 enlisted men died of disease.

Commanders

• Colonel Ernest G. Chorman - resigned January 1862
• Colonel David McMurtrie Gregg - promoted to brigadier general November 29, 1862
• Colonel Pennock Huey - captured at Saint Mary's Church June 24, 1864; returned to the regiment after parole on December 9, 1864. Promoted to brevet brigadier general March 13, 1865.
• Brevet Colonel Samuel Wilson - discharged October 17, 1864
• Colonel William A. Corrie - commanded the regiment during the Battle of Gettysburg while still at the rank of captain
• Lieutenant Colonel Amos E. Griffiths - commanded at the Battle of Fredericksburg
• Captain Peter Keenan - commanded at the Battle of Antietam

Notable members

• Commissary Sergeant John Galloway - Medal of Honor recipient for action at the Battle of Cumberland Church
• Private John M. Vanderslice, Company D - Medal of Honor recipient for action at the Battle of Hatcher's Run

See also

• List of Pennsylvania Civil War regiments
• Pennsylvania in the American Civil War

Notes/References/Sources

Notes

References

Sources

External links

• 8th Pennsylvania Cavalry monument at Gettysburg