17th Regiment, Pennsylvania Cavalry (162nd Volunteers)

Historical Sketch:
The 17th cavalry, or the 162nd regiment, was one of the three cavalry regiments furnished by the state under the president's call of July 2, 1862. It was recruited from the state at large, rendezvoused at Camp Simmons, Harrisburg, and was mustered into the U. S. service during Sept., Oct. and Nov., 1862, for three years. Col. Kellogg had been a captain in the 1st U. S. cavalry; a few of the officers and men were Mexican war veterans; but most of the members were devoid of military experience. On Nov. 25, 1862, it left the state for Washington and a few days later was ordered to the front.

During its active service, the regiment lost 232 men: 6 Officers and 98 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 128 Enlisted men by disease. OFFICERS: Cols., Josiah H. Kellogg, J. Q. Anderson; Lieut. -Cols., John B. McAllister, J. Q. Anderson, Coe Durland; Majs., David B. Hartranft, Coe Durland, Reuben R. Reinhold, J. Q. Anderson, Weidner H. Spera, Luther B. Kurtz, William Thompson. ASSIGNMENTS: Attached to Cavalry Brigade, 11th Corps, Army Potomac, to February, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, Cavalry Corps, Army Potomac, to August, 1864, and Army Shenandoah to March, 1865. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, Cavalry Corps, Army Potomac, to June, 1865. SERVICE: It first encountered the enemy at Occoquan, Va., where it skirmished with Hampton's cavalry, and later had a brush with Stuart's cavalry at Dumfries. The 17th was assigned to the 2nd brigade, Col. Devin, 1st division, Gen. Pleasonton, cavalry corps, serving in this brigade and division throughout its term. This brigade furnished the only cavalry present at the battle of Chancellorsville, where Cos. C and I were detailed for escort duty with Gen. Meade and the rest of the regiment assisted in staying the mad onset of Stonewall Jackson's men when the 11th corps was routed. It was highly complimented for its coolness by Gen. Pleasonton in a general order. Next it was engaged at Beverly ford with the enemy's cavalry, and again met him at Upperville. Gen. Buford, in command of the division, initiated the battle of Gettysburg on July 1, and was able to hold Hill in check until the forces of Reynolds and Howard reached the field. During the rest of the battle the 17th was employed in preventing flanking movements and in guarding communications with the army's base. In the pursuit after the battle it was engaged at Boonsboro and skirmished daily thereafter until the enemy escaped across the river. The regiment was almost incessantly active during the indecisive fall campaigns, being often engaged and bearing its full share of the toils and losses until it finally went into winter quarters at Culpeper. Through the winter it picketed a long line towards James City, and toward the close of Feb., 1864, a detail of 200 men under Capt. Spera, joined in Kilpatrick's raid to Richmond. On the opening of the spring campaign in 1864 it was engaged throughout May 6, on the left of the line at "the Furnace," and on the next two days was heavily engaged on the Spottsylvania road, losing 14 killed and wounded. It then joined in Sheridan's cavalry raid toward Richmond, being active at Beaver Dam Station, Ground Squirrel Church, Yellow tavern and Meadow bridge. Rejoining the army on May 25 it was given but one day's rest, when it was engaged at New Castle ferry on the Pamunkey river, driving the enemy, and the next day skirmished at Hanoverton. It was engaged at Old Church on the 30th, losing a number of men. At Cold Harbor the command fought dismounted, losing 22 killed and wounded, and shortly after, when Sheridan led the cavalry towards Lynchburg, it was hotly engaged near Trevilian Station, losing 5 killed, 19 wounded and 2 missing. It lost at White House, some ten days later, 5 killed and 12 wounded, and at Jones' bridge and Charles City Court House it again met with some loss. Late in July it was heavily engaged at Deep Bottom. In August it joined Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley and was engaged at Sulphur Springs bridge, White Post, Crooked run, Front Royal, and then assisted in driving the enemy's infantry at Kearneysville and Shepherdstown. Three weeks of constant skirmishing followed, in which the 17th was active at White Post, Berryville and Bunker Hill. At the battle of Opequan it led the charge which drove the enemy towards Winchester. After the battle the regiment reported to Col. Edwards, post commander at Winchester, and was employed in keeping open communication with the base of supplies. On Oct. 19 a detachment of the regiment under Maj. Spera rode with Sheridan during his famous dash from Winchester to the battlefield at Cedar creek and shared in the great battle of that day. The command was then active at White's ford and Jack's shop, in December and then returned to the vicinity of Winchester, where it went into permanent winter quarters. It shared in Sheridan's grand raid in the rear of Richmond in Feb. and March, 1865, which was one of the most arduous and trying campaigns of the whole war. Rejoining the army before Petersburg on March 26, it led the advance during the final campaign and was almost incessantly engaged until April 6, when Gen. Ewell, with one wing of the Confederate army was captured. The cavalry now maintained a running fight with the enemy until the final surrender at Appomattox Court House, the 17th maintaining its fine reputation as hard fighters until the end. After a short period of rest it marched to the vicinity of Washington and was mustered out at Cloud's mills, Va., June 16, 1865. A small remnant of the regiment was consolidated with the 1st and 6th Pa. cavalry on June 17, 1865, and designated the 2nd Pa. provisional cavalry. It was mustered out with that organization, Aug. 7, 1865, at Louisville, Ky. In parting with the regiment, Gen. Devin said: "In five successive campaigns, and in over three score engagements, you have nobly sustained your part. Of the many gallant regiments from your state none has a brighter record, none has more freely shed its blood on every battlefield from Gettysburg to Appomattox. Your gallant deeds will be ever fresh in the memory of your comrades of the Iron Brigade and the First Division. Soldiers, Farewell." Roster:
The Roster of this unit contains the names of 3028 men.

Company A in Beaver County;

Company B in Susquehanna County;

Company C in Lancaster County;

Company D in Bradford County;

Company E in Lebanon County;

Company F in Cumberland County;

Company G in Franklin County;

Company H in Schuylkill County;

Company I in Perry County and in the City of Philadelphia;

Company K in Luzerne County;

Company L in Montgomery County and Chester County;

Company M in Wayne County.

Source:
The Union Army by Federal Publishing Company, 1908 - Volume 1
Bibliography:

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Blair, William and William Pencak, editors. Making and Remaking Pennsylvania's Civil War. University Park, Pennsylvania: Penn State University Press, 2004.

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Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce. Southern Revenge: Civil War History of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. Chambersburg, Pennsylvania: Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce, 1989.

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