14th Pennsylvania Cavalry Regiment

Union Army plan

On August 15, while in Petersburg in West Virginia's Hardy County, Averell received orders to retrieve law books from Lewisburg and attack a list of targets at points in between.[21][Note 6] His force for this expedition included the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry, Gibson's Battalion, and other mounted regiments.[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.[27][28] Moving east, the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry was involved in a skirmish near Warm Springs, Virginia, on August 24.[29] Another saltpeter works was destroyed further south on August 25.[30]

Significant fighting began on the morning of August 26 west of White Sulphur Springs when Averell's advance guard was intercepted by Confederate troops.[31] A soldier from another regiment wrote that during the battle 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...."[32] The charge was led by Colonel Schoonmaker and Captain John Bird from Company G. Bird was wounded, captured, and eventually taken to Libby Prison.[33] Schoonmaker's horse was shot but he escaped on a dead soldier's horse.[34] Over 100 men from the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry were killed, wounded, or captured in the battle—nearly half of all Union casualties.[35] Fighting ended in the morning of the next day as both sides nearly exhausted their ammunition. The battle became known as the Battle of White Sulphur Springs, and Averell was prevented from reaching Lewisburg. Pursued by Confederate troops, Averell's force struggled north using blockades, deceptions, night marches, and back roads—reaching safety on August 31.[36]

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, was ordered to 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.[37] Averell departed on November 1 and arrived at Huntersville on November 4.[38]

From Huntersville on November 5, Schoonmaker led the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry and 3rd West Virginia Mounted Infantry in an attempt to encircle a Confederate cavalry regiment. Schoonmaker took a southwestern route while another force took a northwestern route, but the trap failed when entrenched Confederate troops with artillery stopped Schoonmaker near Mill Point.[39] With the support of the force using the northwestern route, and later Averell with the remainder of the brigade, Schoonmaker helped drive the Confederates back to Droop Mountain.[40]

At Droop Mountain on the next day, 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 to Lewisburg.[41] When the fighting was mostly over, Gibson's Battalion was used to pursue the retreating Confederates.[41] The Confederate troops were soundly defeated, but arrived in Lewisburg before Duffié could intercept them.[42][43] The raid on the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad was called off after Averell reached Lewisburg.[44]

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).[45] 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.[46] The purpose of the raid was to destroy portions of the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad.[47] The 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry was armed with seven-shot carbines, Colt's navy revolvers, and sabers.[48] After moving over 200 miles (320 km) in rain and snow, Averell's force reached Salem, Virginia, on December 16.[49] The brigade spent only six hours destroying railroad infrastructure because they discovered that Major General Fitzhugh Lee's Cavalry Brigade was on a train moving to Salem.[50]

Averell's brigade began the return trip by moving north through New Castle and then east to Fincastle, where the brigade arrived on December 18.[51][52] At that time, Averell split his command so it could evade at least two pursuing forces. Two Union columns, led by Averell and Lieutenant Colonel Blakeley, took obscure roads south of Covington to a bridge across the Jackson River.[52] Averell's first column was able to cross the bridge, but Blakeley's column met Confederate troops on the evening of December 19. Company A from the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry and Blakeley were in the front of the column, and they were able to cross the bridge and join Averell. The remaining portion of the column (including most of the regiment) was cut off from the bridge.[53] Fighting continued all night, and the bridge was destroyed. Confederate officers contacted the regiment's Major Foley demanding surrender, but Foley refused—and men from the regiment began shouting "the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry never surrenders".[53] A place about two miles (3.2 km) upriver was successfully used to ford the river, and Foley's assumed-captured force caught up with Averell in the Allegheny Mountains.[54][Note 8] The brigade reached the safety of Beverly on December 25.[57] Casualties for the regiment were six drowned, five wounded, and 25 captured in the attempted bridge crossing.[58]

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.[70] The detachment was mounted and assigned to a brigade commanded by Colonel William B. Tibbits.[71] 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 their horses were killed.[72] 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.[72] 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.[73]

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.[84] They were part of the 1st Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division, Army of West Virginia. The regiment, brigade, and division commanders were still the same, and Hunter was still commander of the Department of West Virginia, but Brigadier General Crook commanded the army in the field.[85][86] 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.[87] 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.[88]

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.[89] By 11:00 am, Schoonmaker's brigade began the maneuver as the advance.[90] Schoonmaker discovered a huge Confederate force trying to turn the Union left flank.[91] 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.[92] 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.[92] 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.[93] Union casualties were 1,185 killed, wounded or missing; including 13 for the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry.[94]

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.[101] 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.[102] Averell's actions may have prevented the burning of Hancock in Maryland, and McConnellsburg and Bedford in Pennsylvania.[103]

McCausland had been able to secure fresh horses, leaving none for Averell and causing Averell to pause in his pursuit in Hancock.[104] 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".[105] 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.[105] Averell also received 500 reinforcements, increasing his force to 1,760 men.[106] McCausland's cavalry had about 3,000 men plus a battery of four guns.[107] 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.[108]

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.[109] 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.[110] Kerr selected his men for the mission, and most were from Company C or D. They moved forward on foot in darkness and fog.[107] At about 2:30 am, Kerr's scouts began deceiving and capturing various squads of pickets posted along the main road.[111]

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.[112][113] 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.[114] 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.[115] A Union soldier from Powell's Brigade estimated that the "loss to the enemy in killed, wounded and captured was near eight hundred".[116] Captain Thomas R. Kerr, of the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry, was awarded the Medal of Honor.[117]

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 attacked from the north.[119] Major Foley had been wounded earlier in the month, so Captain Ashbel F. Duncan led the regiment.[120][121] Almost all of the regiment's fighting occurred north of Winchester. 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".[122]

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.[123] 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. Schoonmaker hurried up the hill to lead in person, and found the badly–wounded Duncan still alive and mounted. 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.[124] Duncan was shot seven times, and was carried off the field to die.[121] Captain William F. Miles became the regiment's commander.[125] The 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry had 14 of the 19 casualties for Schoonmaker's brigade.[126] Schoonmaker was later awarded the Medal of Honor for the capture of the fort.[127]

The Battle of Fisher's Hill occurred on September 21–22, 1864. Sheridan's army again defeated Early's army. The battle took place further south of Winchester near the Valley Pike, slightly south of Strasburg, Virginia.[128] In this battle, Schoonmaker's brigade attacked the front of the Confederate left while Crook's Army of West Virginia flanked the Confederate left using a concealed approach from North Mountain.[129] Early's men fled south in disorder, and were pursued by the other half of Averell's division, Powell's brigade.[130] Casualties were light for the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry, one man wounded of the brigade's total of two.[131] After the battle, Sheridan pressured his commanders to pursue Early's retreating army, and became impatient with Averell. On September 23, Averell was replaced with Powell, who took command on the next day.[132] Averell chose two companies from the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry, Companies A and H, to escort him to Winchester.[133] Powell's division moved south to Mount Jackson.[134]

The 14th Pennsylvania 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.[135] Powell's division patrolled the areas around Harrisonburg, Mount Crawford, and Staunton.[136]

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.[137] 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 charged the enemy. 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."[138]

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 moved to Staunton and Waynesboro. The 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.[139] For the next two weeks, much of the farming infrastructure and food between Harrisonburg and Staunton was destroyed by detachments from Sheridan's Army.[140] Custer's 2nd Division, including the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry, was among those assigned with this task.[141] On September 30, Custer was transferred to command the 3rd Cavalry Division, and Powell returned to command the 2nd Cavalry Division.[142] 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."[140]

MG 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.[143] The Battle of Cedar Creek started with a surprise attack for Early's Army in the early morning hours of October 19, 1864.[144] 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 three cavalry regiments: the 14th and 22nd Pennsylvania, and the 8th Ohio.[145] The 1st Cavalry Brigade was commanded by Colonel Alpheus Moore of the 8th Ohio Cavalry, and Major Gibson commanded the regiment.[146] 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.[147] The battle appeared to be a defeat for the Union until General Sheridan arrived and rallied his troops for a Union victory.[148][144] Only one soldier from the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry was wounded.[149] After the battle, Colonel Moore was placed under arrest, and Major Gibson became commander of the 1st Brigade.[150]

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

Beginning November 10, the 21st New York Cavalry Regiment was assigned to the 1st Brigade of 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.[150] Separately, Major John M. Daily was dismissed for absence without leave effective November 11, but reinstated seven months later as a lieutenant colonel.[151][152] 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 cavalry commanded by McCausland.[153] The Confederates slowly pushed the 1st Brigade back, but Powell brought his 2nd Brigade to the front while the 1st Brigade moved to the rear.[154] The 2nd Brigade charged, resulting in a short clash that ended with the Confederates retreating for 8 miles (12.9 km).[155] 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.[153][Note 10]

Powell's Division skirmished near Rude's Hill for about six hours on November 23. Afterwards, it went into camp between Front Royal and Winchester.[158] While cooking turkeys on Thanksgiving Day (November 24), the regiment was attacked by Mosby's guerrillas.[159][Note 11] Mosby was quickly chased off by the regiment, and ten of Mosby's men were killed or wounded.[159]

Major Gibson was assigned command of the 1st Brigade on December 7.[160] A few weeks later on December 17, Captain William Miles of Company I led 100 men on a scouting expedition toward Ashby's Gap.[161] 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 after slashing his face with a saber, allowing him to return to camp to tell the story of the ambush. The wounded and dead were recovered on the next day.[159] Mosby sent his prisoners to Libby Prison.[162]

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.[163] 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.[164] Lieutenant Colonel Blakeley, who had been dismissed, was restored to commission.[165][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.[167][168]

The regiment left winter camp on April 4, and moved up the Shenandoah Valley. Major Foley resigned on April 6.[169] Confederate General 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.[170] The men of the regiment whose term of enlistment expired prior to October 1, 1865, mustered out in late May and early June.[171] Lieutenant Colonel Blakeley resigned effective June 6.[169] 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.[169] 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.[171]

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.[172] In 31 of those engagements, the regiment suffered casualties.[173] The regiment had two medal of honor winners, and two of its men commanded brigades.[174] 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.[13]