≡ Menu

3rd Pennsylvania Cavalry

Editor’s Note: Do you have information on this unit’s role at the Siege of Petersburg?  Please contact us using the Contact button in the menu at the top of the screen.  We are happy to exchange information with other researchers.

Muster In: Organized at Philadelphia July and August, 1861.1
Muster Out: Transferred to 5th Pennsylvania Cavalry May 8, 1865.2

Commander(s):
Lieutenant Colonel Edward S. Jones
Commander Image

Major James W. Walsh
Commander Image

Major Frank W. Hess
Commander Image

Commander 4
Commander Image

First Offensive Order of Battle: Provost Guard | Army of the Potomac | Union Army3,4

  • Commander: Lieutenant Colonel Edward S. Jones (June 13-14, 1864)5
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:

Second Offensive Order of Battle: Provost Guard | Army of the Potomac | Union Army6,7

  • Commander: Lieutenant Colonel Edward S. Jones (June 30, 1864)8
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:

Third Offensive Order of Battle: Provost Guard | Army of the Potomac | Union Army9,10

  • Commander: Major James W. Walsh (July 31, 1864)11
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:
  • Note: The 3rd Pennsylvania Cavalry was consolidated to a Battalion of three companies July 27, 1864.12

Fourth Offensive Order of Battle: Provost Guard | Army of the Potomac | Union Army13

  • Commander: Major James W. Walsh (August 31, 1864)14
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:
  • Note: The 3rd Pennsylvania was a battalion of three companies (A, B, and M) at this time.15

Fifth Offensive Order of Battle: Provost Guard | Army of the Potomac | Union Army16

  • Commander:
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:
  • Note: The 3rd Pennsylvania was a battalion of three companies (A, B, and M) at this time.  Company B served at City Point, at least during the Fifth Offensive.17,18

Sixth Offensive Order of Battle: Provost Guard | Army of the Potomac | Union Army19

  • Commander: Lieutenant Colonel James W. Walsh (October 31, 1864)20
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:
  • Note: The 3rd Pennsylvania Cavalry had six (6) companies at this time.21

Seventh Offensive Order of Battle: Provost Guard | Army of the Potomac | Union Army22

  • Commander: Lieutenant Colonel James W. Walsh (December 31, 1864)23
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:
  • Note: The 3rd Pennsylvania Cavalry had eight (8) companies at this time.24

Eighth Offensive Order of Battle: Provost Guard | Army of the Potomac | Union Army25,26

  • Commander:
    • Major Frank W. Hess (January 31, 1865)27
    • Lieutenant Colonel James W. Walsh (February 28, 1865)28
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:
  • Note: The 3rd Pennsylvania Cavalry had eight (8) companies at this time.29,30
  • Note: One battalion of the 3rd Pennsylvania Cavalry is listed in the casualty returns for the Battle of Hatcher’s Run, February 5-7, 1865, implying it was present during the Eighth Offensive and the battle. It is listed as attached to the Second Division, Second Corps, Army of the Potomac.31

Ninth Offensive Order of Battle: Provost Guard | Army of the Potomac | Union Army32,33

  • Commander: Lieutenant Colonel James W. Walsh (March 31, 1865)34
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:

Dyer’s/Sifakis’ Compendium Info:
Siege of Petersburg Battles35:

  • Reconnaissance to Westover Church, June 1336
  • Before Petersburg June 16, 1864, to April 2, 1865.
  • Assaults on Petersburg June 16-18, 1864.
  • Charles City Cross Roads June 29.
  • Consolidated to a Battalion of three companies July 27, 1864.
  • Non-Veterans on duty in Cumberland Valley until mustered out August 24, 1864.
  • Reconnaissance to Hatcher’s Run December 9-10.
  • Hatcher’s Run December 9.
  • Dabney’s Mills, Hatcher’s Run, February 5-7, 1865.
  • Fall of Petersburg April 2.
  • Pursuit of Lee to Appomattox C. H. April 3-9.

Bibliography:

    Siege of Petersburg Documents Which Mention This Unit:

    Sources:

    1. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3)
    2. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3)
    3. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 1 (Serial Number 80), page 218
    4. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 2 (Serial Number 81), page 542
    5. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 2 (Serial Number 81), pp. 4, 20: Jones was most likely in command of the regiment on June 13, 1864.  He led a scouting party of his own and other regiments of cavalry to Westover Church on that day. He also appears to have been in command on June 14, while still at Westover Church.
    6. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 1 (Serial Number 80), page 218
    7. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 2 (Serial Number 81), page 542
    8. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 2 (Serial Number 81), page 542
    9. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 1 (Serial Number 80), page 250
    10. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 3 (Serial Number 82), page 728
    11. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 3 (Serial Number 82), page 728
    12. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3)
    13. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 2 (Serial Number 88), page 611: “Organization of the Army of the Potomac…August 31, 1864”
    14. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 2 (Serial Number 88), page 611: “Organization of the Army of the Potomac…August 31, 1864”
    15. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3)
    16. Sommers, Richard J. “Grant’s Fifth Offensive at Petersburg: A Study in Strategy, Tactics, and Generalship.  The Battle of Poplar Spring Church, the First Battle of the Darbytown Road, the Second Battle of the Squirrel Level Road, the Second Battle of the Darbytown Road (Ulysses S. Grant, Virginia).” Doctoral Thesis. Rice University, 1970. Print. p. 1297.
    17. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3)
    18. Sommers, Richard J. “Grant’s Fifth Offensive at Petersburg: A Study in Strategy, Tactics, and Generalship.  The Battle of Poplar Spring Church, the First Battle of the Darbytown Road, the Second Battle of the Squirrel Level Road, the Second Battle of the Darbytown Road (Ulysses S. Grant, Virginia).” Doctoral Thesis. Rice University, 1970. Print. p. 1297.
    19. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 3 (Serial Number 89), page 457: “Organization of the Union Forces” (October 31, 1864)”
    20. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 3 (Serial Number 89), page 457: “Organization of the Union Forces” (October 31, 1864)”
    21. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 3 (Serial Number 89), page 457: “Organization of the Union Forces” (October 31, 1864)”
    22. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 3 (Serial Number 89), page 1114: “Organization of the Union Forces” (December 31, 1864)
    23. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 3 (Serial Number 89), page 1114: “Organization of the Union Forces” (December 31, 1864)
    24. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 3 (Serial Number 89), page 1114: “Organization of the Union Forces” (December 31, 1864)
    25. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 2 (Serial Number 96), page 324: “Organization of the Union Forces” (January 31, 1865)
    26. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 2 (Serial Number 96), page 738: “Organization of the Union Forces” (February 28, 1865)
    27. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 2 (Serial Number 96), page 324: “Organization of the Union Forces” (January 31, 1865)
    28. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 2 (Serial Number 96), page 738: “Organization of the Union Forces” (February 28, 1865)
    29. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 2 (Serial Number 96), page 324: “Organization of the Union Forces” (January 31, 1865)
    30. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 2 (Serial Number 96), page 738: “Organization of the Union Forces” (February 28, 1865)
    31. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 96), page 64: “Return of Casualties in the Union forces at Hatcher’s Run (otherwise known as Dabney’s Mill, Armstrong’s Mill, Rowanty Creek, and Vaughan Road)… (February 5-7, 1865)”
    32. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 95), page 564: “Organization of the Union Forces” (March 31, 1865)
    33. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 95), page 581: “Return of casualties in the Union Forces commanded by Lieut. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, March 29-April 9, 1865”
    34. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 95), page 564: “Organization of the Union Forces” (March 31, 1865)
    35. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3)
    36. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 2 (Serial Number 81), p. 4.
    { 0 comments… add one }

    Leave a Reply