12th Cavalry Regiment

Nickname: Ira Harris Cavalry; Third Ira Harris Guard

Left the State by detachments: May to December 1863
Mustered out: July 19, 1865

The following is taken from New York in the War of the Rebellion, 3rd ed. Frederick Phisterer. Albany: J. B. Lyon Company, 1912.

October 4, 1862, Col, James W. Savage received authority from the State to recruit this regiment. It was organized at New York city to serve three years. A number of the men enlisted for the Abohbot Cavalry were transferred to its Company D, November 29, 1862, and in August, 1863, the men enlisted for the 21st Regiment Veteran Volunteers, reorganizing, were also transferred to the regiment. A number of the men enlisted by Capt. G. S. Coddington for the 20th Battery were transferred to this regiment. The companies were mustered in the United States service in New York city, A November 19, 1862, B March 31, 1863, C February 17, 1863, F April 28, 1863; at Buffalo, D and E February 14, and L February 16, 1863. May 20, 1863, the regiment was reorganized as follows: Company A was formed of parts of original Companies A and G; B of parts of original Companies A, B and I; C of original Company C and parts of original Companies D and I; D of original Company E and part of original Company G; E of parts of original Companies F, G and H; F of original Companies D and K; Company L retained its designation. Companies G, H and I were reorganized and mustered in United States service at New York city, Company G August 7th, Company I September 22d; at Buffalo, Company H August 27, 1863. Companies K (second) and M were mustered in at Buffalo, September 10, and at New York city, November 24, 1863, respectively. From September, 1863, to December, 1864, a howitzer section, manned by members of the regiment, formed part of the latter.

The companies were recruited principally: A, originally intended for the 5th Cavalry, at Fulton and Oswego; B at Ogdensburg, Cuba, Copake, Clifton Park, Charlton, Claver-ack, West Troy, Albany and Hudson; C at Austerlitz, Hudson, Hillsdale, Chatham and New York city; D, E, H, old and new, K and L at Buffalo; F at New York city, Platts-burgh, Fort Covington, Dickinson and Rouse's Point; G and I, old, at New York city; G new, at New York city, Syracuse, Oswego, Hudson and Troy; I, new, at New York city, Oswego, Troy and Syracuse; and M at Buffalo, New York city, Troy and Niagara.

The regiment left the State by detachments, the first in May, 1863, and was entirely in the field by December of that year; it served in the Department and District of North Carolina, l8th Corps; and from March, 1865, with the Provisional Corps; with the 23d Corps from April, 1865, and July 19, 1865, commanded by Lieut.-Col. Philip G. Vought, it was honorably discharged and mustered out at Raleigh, N. C.

During its service it lost by death, killed in action, 2 officers, 20 enlisted men; died of wounds received in action, I officer, 16 enlisted men; died of disease and other causes, 5 officers, 178 enlisted men; total, 8 officers, 214 enlisted men; aggregate, 222; of whom 1 officer and 84 enlisted men died in the hands of the enemy.

The following is taken from The Union army: a history of military affairs in the loyal states, 1861-65 -- records of the regiments in the Union army -- cyclopedia of battles -- memoirs of commanders and soldiers, Volume II: New York, Maryland, West Virginia and Ohio. Madison, WI: Federal Pub. Co., 1908.

Twelfth Cavalry.—Col.. James W. Savage; Lieut. -Col., Philip G. Vought; Majs., J. Ward Caspar, Rowland R. West, Floyd Clarkson, Rodney M. Taylor. The 12th cavalry, known as the 3d Ira Harris Guard, was organized at New York city to serve for three years. The companies of which it was composed were recruited in the counties of New York, Columbia, Albany, Rensselaer, Clinton, Franklin, Oswego, Onondaga and Erie, and were mustered into the U. S. service from Nov. 19 to 24, 1863. A howitzer section, manned by members of the regiment, was attached during the year 1864. The regiment left the state by detachments from May to Dec, 1863, and proceeded to North Carolina, where it spent its entire term of service, forming part of the i8th corps under command of Maj. -Gen. J. G. Foster. In the final campaign in 1865, it was assigned to the provisional corps, and from April, 1865, was with the 23d corps, commanded by Maj. -Gen. Schofield. In July, 1863, it shared in Gen. Foster's raid to Tarboro, meeting with a loss of 4 killed, 14 wounded and 2S missing. It also sustained some losses in the engagements near Washington, N. C, in August. It assisted in repelling the enemy's attack on New Berne in Feb., 1864, and participated in the defense of Plymouth in April, where it sustained its heaviest loss, 8 killed and mortally wounded, 11 wounded and 102 captured. Many of the men captured subsequently perished in the prison pen at Andersonville. During the remainder of the year 1864 the regiment took part in numerous raids throughout the state and was often in action, meeting with some loss. In March, 1865, the 12th led the advance of Schofield's column, which was moving to join the forces of Gen. Sherman and fought gallantly in the three days' battle at Wise's Forks, where it lost 62 men killed, wounded and missing. It skirmished almost continuously from Kinston to Goldsboro, its total losses in the campaign of the Carolinas being 134 killed, wounded and missing. After Johnston's surrender the regiment was employed in guard duty in the region about the Tar river until July 19, 1865, when it was mustered out at Raleigh, N. C. It lost while in service 3 officers and 36 men killed and mortally wounded; 5 officers and 178 men died of disease, accidents, in prison, etc., a total of 222. It sustained unusually heavy losses by death in Confederate prisons, I officer and 84 enlisted men dying in the hands of the enemy.

12thCavFlankMarker2008.0006.jpg

12th Regiment Cavalry, NY Volunteers | Flank Marker | Civil War

The NYS Battle Flag Collection includes one flank marker attributed to the 12th Regiment Cavalry, NY Volunteers. Approximately 30% is missing from…

12thCavNational2003.0113.jpg

12th Regiment Cavalry, NY Volunteers | National Flag | Civil War

This silk flag, pieced together with red and white stripes and one blue piece for the canton includes only 27 embroidered stars from either a 34 or 35…

12thCavStandard2004.0023.jpg

12th Regiment Cavalry, NY Volunteers | Standard | Civil War

The NYS Battle Flag Collection includes one standard carried by the 12th Regiment Cavalry, NY Volunteers. The flag has considerable losses,…

12thCavGuidon2004.0021.jpg

12th Regiment Cavalry, NY Volunteers | Guidons | Civil War

These two silk swallowtail guidons conform to the “stars and stripes” pattern prescribed in General Order No. 4, dated January 18, 1862. Both flags…

12thCavGuidon2004.0022.jpg

12th Regiment Cavalry, NY Volunteers | Guidons | Civil War

Each of these two silk swallowtail guidons carried by the 12th Cavalry conform to the “stars and stripes” pattern prescribed in General Order No. 4,…

12thCavGuidon2004.0025.jpg

12th Regiment Cavalry, NY Volunteers | Guidons | Civil War

The two 12th Cavalry guidons seen here conform to the “stars and stripes” pattern prescribed in General Order No. 4, dated January 18, 1862. Both…

12thCavGuidon2004.0026.jpg

12th Regiment Cavalry, NY Volunteers | Guidon | Civil War

This silk swallowtail guidon carried by the 12th Cavalry conforms to the “stars and stripes” pattern prescribed in General Order No. 4, dated January…

NYSMM Online Resources

Battles and Casualties from Phisterer (pdf)
Battles and Casualties from Phisterer (spreadsheet)

Civil War Newspaper Clippings

Muster Roll

Unit Roster

Search the Museum catalog for this unit

Click Here

Other Resources

This is meant to be a comprehensive list. If, however, you know of a resource that is not listed below, please send an email to ng.ny.nyarng.list.historians@army.mil with the name of the resource and where it is located. This can include photographs, letters, articles and other non-book materials. Also, if you have any materials in your possession that you would like to donate, the museum is always looking for items specific to New York's military heritage. Thank you.

      “12th Cavalry Regiment of New York State Volunteers enlistment forms, 1863.” Department of Special Collections, UC Santa Barbara Library. https://www.loc.gov/cgi-bin/zgate?present+12124376+Default+40+1+F+1.2.840.10003.5.10+47+/cgi-bin/zgate%3fACTION%3dINIT%26FORM_HOST_PORT%3d/prod/www/data/z3950/oclcmss3.html,zcat.oclc.org,210%26AUTH%3doclcmss.

      “Andrew J. Pierson portrait [electronic resource].” Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/cgi-bin/zgate?present+12124376+Default+55+1+F+1.2.840.10003.5.10+78+/cgi-bin/zgate%3fACTION%3dINIT%26FORM_HOST_PORT%3d/prod/www/data/z3950/oclcmss3.html,zcat.oclc.org,210%26AUTH%3doclcmss.

      Bruce, Thomas T. “30th New York Infantry, Co. C. Manuscript (ca. 1895).” New York State Library. https://www.nysl.nysed.gov/mssc/allcwrec.htm#350. From the website: “This letter, written at Camp Palmer, North Carolina, concerns bounty payments due two enlisted men.”

      Budington, William Ives. A memorial of Giles F. Ward, Jr., late First Lieut. Twelfth N.Y. cavalry, by William Ives Budington. New York: Anson D. F. Randolph 1866.

      “Civil War Military Records Collection, 1846-1917. SC21141.” New York State Library. https://www.nysl.nysed.gov/msscfa/sc21141.htm. From the website: contains “Muster Roll. 12th New York Cavalry. Company H. December 30, 1863-February 29, 1864.”

      Cooper, Alonzo. In and out of Rebel prisons, by Lieut. A. Cooper, 12th N.Y. cavalry. Oswego: R. J. Oliphant, printer, 1888.

      Davies, William. “William Davies letters, 1862-1863.” Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/cgi-bin/zgate?present+12124376+Default+34+1+F+1.2.840.10003.5.10+41+/cgi-bin/zgate%3fACTION%3dINIT%26FORM_HOST_PORT%3d/prod/www/data/z3950/oclcmss3.html,zcat.oclc.org,210%26AUTH%3doclcmss.

      “Edwin A. Poland portrait [electronic resource].” Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/cgi-bin/zgate?present+376+Default+70+1+F+1.2.840.10003.5.10+70+/cgi-bin/zgate%3fACTION%3dINIT%26FORM_HOST_PORT%3d/prod/www/data/z3950/oclcmss3.html,zcat.oclc.org,210%26AUTH%3doclcmss.

      “Giles F. Ward, Jr., portrait [electronic resource].” Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/cgi-bin/zgate?present+376+Default+61+1+F+1.2.840.10003.5.10+61+/cgi-bin/zgate%3fACTION%3dINIT%26FORM_HOST_PORT%3d/prod/www/data/z3950/oclcmss3.html,zcat.oclc.org,210%26AUTH%3doclcmss.

      Graves, W. H. “W.H. Graves : [collection] : 1901.” Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/cgi-bin/zgate?present+12124376+Default+42+1+F+1.2.840.10003.5.10+65+/cgi-bin/zgate%3fACTION%3dINIT%26FORM_HOST_PORT%3d/prod/www/data/z3950/oclcmss3.html,zcat.oclc.org,210%26AUTH%3doclcmss.

      “Henry C. Hathaway portrait [electronic resource].” Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/cgi-bin/zgate?present+376+Default+63+1+F+1.2.840.10003.5.10+63+/cgi-bin/zgate%3fACTION%3dINIT%26FORM_HOST_PORT%3d/prod/www/data/z3950/oclcmss3.html,zcat.oclc.org,210%26AUTH%3doclcmss.

      “James W. Savage portrait [electronic resource].” Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/cgi-bin/zgate?present+12124376+Default+45+1+F+1.2.840.10003.5.10+68+/cgi-bin/zgate%3fACTION%3dINIT%26FORM_HOST_PORT%3d/prod/www/data/z3950/oclcmss3.html,zcat.oclc.org,210%26AUTH%3doclcmss.

      “John S. Loud portrait [electronic resource].” Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/cgi-bin/zgate?present+12124376+Default+48+1+F+1.2.840.10003.5.10+71+/cgi-bin/zgate%3fACTION%3dINIT%26FORM_HOST_PORT%3d/prod/www/data/z3950/oclcmss3.html,zcat.oclc.org,210%26AUTH%3doclcmss.

      Johnson, Crisfield. ... History of Oswego County, New York. : With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers. Philadelphia: L.H. Everts & co, 1877, 1991.

      “J. Ward Gasper portrait [electronic resource].” Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/cgi-bin/zgate?present+376+Default+93+1+F+1.2.840.10003.5.10+100+/cgi-bin/zgate%3fACTION%3dINIT%26FORM_HOST_PORT%3d/prod/www/data/z3950/oclcmss3.html,zcat.oclc.org,210%26AUTH%3doclcmss.

      Lane, Mrs. Charles H. "The Story of Lieut. A. Coopper ... Civil War Veteran, Author and Poet." Oswego County Historical Society Publication, 13 (1950) 62-71.
Thanks to Tom Ebert for finding this resource.

      “Michael A. Stearns portrait [electronic resource].” Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/cgi-bin/zgate?present+12124376+Default+52+1+F+1.2.840.10003.5.10+75+/cgi-bin/zgate%3fACTION%3dINIT%26FORM_HOST_PORT%3d/prod/www/data/z3950/oclcmss3.html,zcat.oclc.org,210%26AUTH%3doclcmss.

      “Officers' winter quarters, 12th New York Cavalry [electronic resource].” Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/cgi-bin/zgate?present+376+Default+65+1+F+1.2.840.10003.5.10+65+/cgi-bin/zgate%3fACTION%3dINIT%26FORM_HOST_PORT%3d/prod/www/data/z3950/oclcmss3.html,zcat.oclc.org,210%26AUTH%3doclcmss.

      “Portrait of an unidentified field officer, 12th New York Cavalry [electronic resource].” Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/cgi-bin/zgate?present+12124376+Default+57+1+F+1.2.840.10003.5.10+80+/cgi-bin/zgate%3fACTION%3dINIT%26FORM_HOST_PORT%3d/prod/www/data/z3950/oclcmss3.html,zcat.oclc.org,210%26AUTH%3doclcmss.

      “Philip G. Vought portrait [electronic resource].” Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/cgi-bin/zgate?present+12124376+Default+59+1+F+1.2.840.10003.5.10+82+/cgi-bin/zgate%3fACTION%3dINIT%26FORM_HOST_PORT%3d/prod/www/data/z3950/oclcmss3.html,zcat.oclc.org,210%26AUTH%3doclcmss.

      “[Private Frank P. Holt of Co. B, 12th New York Cavalry Regiment in uniform with sword] [graphic].” Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/cgi-bin/zgate?present+376+Default+95+1+F+1.2.840.10003.5.10+102+/cgi-bin/zgate%3fACTION%3dINIT%26FORM_HOST_PORT%3d/prod/www/data/z3950/oclcmss3.html,zcat.oclc.org,210%26AUTH%3doclcmss.

      “Raymond Ferguson portrait [electronic resource].” Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/cgi-bin/zgate?present+12124376+Default+37+1+F+1.2.840.10003.5.10+44+/cgi-bin/zgate%3fACTION%3dINIT%26FORM_HOST_PORT%3d/prod/www/data/z3950/oclcmss3.html,zcat.oclc.org,210%26AUTH%3doclcmss.

      “Robert B. Hock portrait [electronic resource].” Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/cgi-bin/zgate?present+12124376+Default+41+1+F+1.2.840.10003.5.10+64+/cgi-bin/zgate%3fACTION%3dINIT%26FORM_HOST_PORT%3d/prod/www/data/z3950/oclcmss3.html,zcat.oclc.org,210%26AUTH%3doclcmss.

      Root, Augustus I. "Augustus I. Root Letter, 1861 12th New York Volunteer Infantry." New York State Military Museumhttp://catalog.nysmm.org/Presto/content/Detail.aspx?ctID=MWUzZjNjOGQtZjA1My00MDA3LTk0ZDMtN2E5ZmNkZWM1ZWUw&rID=NjU3Nw==&qrs=RmFsc2U=&q=KENhdGFsb2cuQ29uZmxpY3Q6KDE4NjUpKSBBTkQgKENhdGFsb2cuTWlsQ29tcG9uZXQ6KFVuaXRlZCBTdGF0ZXMuIEFybXkuIE5ldyBZb3JrIENhdmFscnkgUmVnaW1lbnQsIDEydGgpKQ==&qcf=MWUzZjNjOGQtZjA1My00MDA3LTk0ZDMtN2E5ZmNkZWM1ZWUw&ph=VHJ1ZQ==&bckToL=VHJ1ZQ==&rrtc=VHJ1ZQ==.

      Savage, James Woodruff. The loyal element of North Carolina during the war, a paper read before the Nebraska commandery of the Military order of the loyal legion of the United States, May 5, 1886, by James W. Savage, late Colonel 12th N.Y. cavalry. Omaha: [Omaha Republican print] 1886.

      Slosek, Anthony M. Oswego County, New York, in the Civil War. Oswego, N.Y. Oswego County Civil War Centennial Committee, 1964.

      Snyder, Charles McCool. Oswego County, New York, in the Civil War. Oswego, NY: Oswego County Historical Society, 1962.

      “Thomas T. Bruce portrait [electronic resource].” Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/cgi-bin/zgate?present+12124376+Default+44+1+F+1.2.840.10003.5.10+67+/cgi-bin/zgate%3fACTION%3dINIT%26FORM_HOST_PORT%3d/prod/www/data/z3950/oclcmss3.html,zcat.oclc.org,210%26AUTH%3doclcmss.

      “Unidentified enlisted man, 12th New York Cavalry [electronic resource].” Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/cgi-bin/zgate?present+376+Default+73+1+F+1.2.840.10003.5.10+73+/cgi-bin/zgate%3fACTION%3dINIT%26FORM_HOST_PORT%3d/prod/www/data/z3950/oclcmss3.html,zcat.oclc.org,210%26AUTH%3doclcmss.

      “Unidentified 1st lieutenant, 12 New York Cavalry.” Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/cgi-bin/zgate?present+12124376+Default+19+1+F+1.2.840.10003.5.10+19+/cgi-bin/zgate%3fACTION%3dINIT%26FORM_HOST_PORT%3d/prod/www/data/z3950/oclcmss3.html,zcat.oclc.org,210%26AUTH%3doclcmss.

      Ward, Giles F. “Papers, 1862-1865.” Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/cgi-bin/zgate?present+12124376+Default+16+1+F+1.2.840.10003.5.10+16+/cgi-bin/zgate%3fACTION%3dINIT%26FORM_HOST_PORT%3d/prod/www/data/z3950/oclcmss3.html,zcat.oclc.org,210%26AUTH%3doclcmss.

      Worman, Edward A. (Compiler) "12th New York Cavalry casualties around March 8-11, 1865 at Wise’s Forks, NC, etc." New York State Military Museumhttp://catalog.nysmm.org/Presto/content/Detail.aspx?ctID=MWUzZjNjOGQtZjA1My00MDA3LTk0ZDMtN2E5ZmNkZWM1ZWUw&rID=MTI5MzI=&qrs=RmFsc2U=&q=KENhdGFsb2cuQ29uZmxpY3Q6KDE4NjUpKSBBTkQgKENhdGFsb2cuTWlsQ29tcG9uZXQ6KFVuaXRlZCBTdGF0ZXMuIEFybXkuIE5ldyBZb3JrIENhdmFscnkgUmVnaW1lbnQsIDEydGgpKQ==&qcf=MWUzZjNjOGQtZjA1My00MDA3LTk0ZDMtN2E5ZmNkZWM1ZWUw&ph=VHJ1ZQ==&bckToL=VHJ1ZQ==&rrtc=VHJ1ZQ==

      Worman, Edward A. (Compiler) “12th NY Cavalry casualties at vicinity of Plymouth, NC in April 1864.” New York State Military Museum. http://catalog.nysmm.org/Presto/content/Detail.aspx?ctID=MWUzZjNjOGQtZjA1My00MDA3LTk0ZDMtN2E5ZmNkZWM1ZWUw&rID=MTI5MzE=&qrs=RmFsc2U=&q=MTJ0aCBuZXcgeW9yayBjYXZhbHJ5&ph=VHJ1ZQ==&bckToL=VHJ1ZQ==&rrtc=VHJ1ZQ==.

Items the museum holds are in bold.

 

Photos from the American Civil War Research Database:

William Barker. 12th New York Cavalry. http://www.civilwardata.com/active/hdsquery.dll?SoldierHistory?U&1735578. Photo courtesy of Henry Pomerantz.

James Ells. 12th New York Cavalry. http://www.civilwardata.com/active/hdsquery.dll?SoldierHistory?U&1737429. Photo courtesy of Massachusetts Commandery of MOLLUS.

James Peak. 12th New York Cavalry. http://www.civilwardata.com/active/hdsquery.dll?SoldierHistory?U&1740645. Photo Courtesy of New York State Military Museum.

Robert T. H. Russel. 12th New York Cavalry. http://www.civilwardata.com/active/hdsquery.dll?SoldierHistory?U&1741238. Photo courtesy of Tony Cossean.

Wallace M. Sanborn. 12th New York Cavalry. http://www.civilwardata.com/active/hdsquery.dll?SoldierHistory?U&1741292. Photo courtesy of Steve Meadow.