The 2nd Pennsylvania Cavalry (59th Volunteers) was a

cavalry Historically, cavalry (from the French word ''cavalerie'', itself derived from ''cheval'' meaning "horse") are groups of soldiers or warriors who Horses in warfare, fight mounted on horseback. Until the 20th century, cavalry were the most mob ...

regiment A regiment is a military unit. Its role and size varies markedly, depending on the country, military service, service, or administrative corps, specialisation. In Middle Ages, Medieval Europe, the term "regiment" denoted any large body of l ...

that served in the Union Army during the

American Civil War The American Civil War (April 12, 1861May 26, 1865; also known by Names of the American Civil War, other names) was a civil war in the United States between the Union (American Civil War), Union ("the North") and the Confederate States of A ...

Service

The 2nd Pennsylvania Cavalry was organized in

Harrisburg Harrisburg ( ; ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital city of the Commonwealth (U.S. state), U.S. commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat, seat of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, Dauphin County. With a population of 50, ...

and

Philadelphia Philadelphia ( ), colloquially referred to as Philly, is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania, most populous city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and the List of United States cities by population, sixth-most populous city in the Unit ...

Pennsylvania Pennsylvania, officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a U.S. state, state spanning the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern United States, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes region, Great Lakes regions o ...

beginning in September 1861 as the "59th Volunteers" and mustered in for three years service under the command of

Colonel Colonel ( ; abbreviated as Col., Col, or COL) is a senior military Officer (armed forces), officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations. In the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, a colon ...

Richard Butler Price. The regiment was attached to Sturgis' Command, Military District of Washington, to August 1862.

John Buford John Buford Jr. (March 4, 1826 – December 16, 1863) was a United States Army cavalry officer. He fought for the Union Army, Union during the American Civil War, rising to the rank of brigadier general. Buford is best known for his actions in th ...

's Cavalry Brigade, II Corps,

Army of Virginia The Army of Virginia was organized as a major unit of the Union Army and operated briefly and unsuccessfully in 1862 in the American Civil War. It should not be confused with its principal opponent, the Confederate Army of ''Northern'' Virginia ...

, to September 1862. Price's Cavalry Brigade, Defenses of Washington, to March 1863. 2nd Brigade, Stahel's Cavalry Division, XXII Corps, to June 1863. Provost Guard,

Army of the Potomac The Army of the Potomac was the primary field army of the Union army in the Eastern Theater of the American Civil War. It was created in July 1861 shortly after the First Battle of Bull Run and was disbanded in June 1865 following the Battle of ...

, to December 1863. 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac, to February 1865. Provost Guard, Army of the Potomac, to June 1865. The 2nd Pennsylvania Cavalry ceased to exist on June 17, 1865, when it was consolidated with the 20th Pennsylvania Cavalry to form the 1st Regiment Pennsylvania Provisional Cavalry.

Casualties

The regiment lost a total of 253 men during service; 6 officers and 52 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded, 2 officers and 193 enlisted men died of disease.

Commanders

* Colonel Richard Butler Price - promoted to brevet brigadier general March 13, 1865 * Colonel William W. Sanders - Transferred to 1st Pro. Cavalry, June 17, 1865

References

* ''Ceremonies of the Dedication of the Monument of the Second Pennsylvania Cavalry, (Fifty-Ninth Regiment) on the Battle-field of Gettysburg, on Pennsylvania Day, September 11, 1889'' (Williamsport, PA: Gazette and Bulletin Printing House), 1890. * Dyer, Frederick H. ''A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion'' (Des Moines, IA: Dyer Pub. Co.), 1908. * ''Second Pennsylvania Cavalry First Annual Reunion Held at Harrisburg: Election of Officers and Action Concerning a Regimental Monument'' (Williamsport, PA: Second Pennsylvania Cavalry Association), 1889. ;Attribution * {{CWR

External links

2nd Pennsylvania Cavalry monument at Gettysburg
Military units and formations established in 1861 Military units and formations disestablished in 1865 Units and formations of the Union army from Pennsylvania

Service

Casualties

Commanders

See also

References

External links