| 1st Rhode Island Cavalry Regiment | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Active | Between December 1861 and March 1862 to August 3, 1865 |
| Country |  United States |
| Allegiance | Union |
| Branch | Union Army |
| Type | Cavalry |
| Part of | In 1862, Hatch's Cavalry Brigade,Nathaniel Banks'V Corps,Department of the Shenandoah |
| Engagements | Second Battle of Bull Run Battle of Chancellorsville Gettysburg campaign Bristoe Campaign Battle of Mine Run |
| Rhode Island U.S. Volunteer Cavalry Regiments 1861-1865 | ||||
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The1st Rhode Island Cavalry Regiment was acavalryregiment that participated in theAmerican Civil War. They were badly routed at theBattle of Middleburg, a blemish on an otherwise competent combat record.
The 1st Rhode Island Cavalry Regiment was organized between December 1861 and March 1862 atPawtucket as the1st New England Cavalry. Late in that month, the regiment was sent toWashington, D.C., and initially assigned to Hatch's cavalry brigade inNathaniel Banks'V Corps in the Department of the Shenandoah. Throughout the war, the regiment would be a part of many reorganizations of the cavalry, although the majority of its service was with theArmy of the Potomac.
Most of the regiment's service in 1862 was in northernVirginia, where it served as scouts to determine enemy movements, as well as foraging for supplies and screening infantry movements. The troopers saw action contestingStonewall Jackson's cavalry in the Valley Campaign. They fought in theSecond Bull Run Campaign, as well as many other battles of note, including service in the cavalry actions surrounding theBattle of Fredericksburg.
In 1863, they participated in theChancellorsville Campaign, and played an important role in the opening battle of theGettysburg campaign atBrandy Station. Shortly thereafter, isolated and alone deep in Confederate territory on a scouting mission, they lost nearly 240 of their 280 remaining men at the June 17 skirmish at Middleburg. The regiment was refitted with new recruits and performed scouting and outpost duty along the upperPotomac River until September, when they rejoined the Army of the Potomac, participating in theBristoe Campaign andMine Run Campaign.
The following year, the 1st Rhode Island served in the defenses of Washington, D.C., before eventually returning to the Shenandoah Valley under the command ofPhilip H. Sheridan. Due to heavy battle losses, the regiment was consolidated to abattalion of four companies on January 1, 1865. They continued serving in the valley for much of the rest of the war before being mustered out atBaltimore, Maryland on August 3, 1865.
During the war, the regiment lost 1 officer and 16 enlisted men killed and mortally wounded, and 2 officers and 77 enlisted men to disease.[1] Hundreds more were wounded or captured. A total of 2,124 different men served in the regiment at various times, although its field strength normally was less than 500 effectives.
