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1st Massachusetts Cavalry

Editor’s Note: Do you have information on this unit’s role at the Siege of Petersburg?  Please contact us using the Contact button in the menu at the top of the screen.  We are happy to exchange information with other researchers.

Note: The 3rd Battalion (Cos. I, K, L, and M) was permanently detached from the 1st MA Cavalry on August 4, 1863, well before the Siege of Petersburg, and were not present at the Siege.1

Muster In: Organized at Camp Brigham, Reedville, and duty there until December 25, 1861.2
Muster Out: Mustered out June 29, 18653

Commander(s):
Lieutenant Colonel Samuel E. Chamberlain
SamuelEChamberlain1stMACavv95p48514

Major John Tewksbury
Commander Image

Captain George H. Teague
GeorgeHTeague1stMACavv95p48525

First Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | Second Division | Cavalry Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army6,7

  • Commander:
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:
  • Note: Companies C and D of the 1st Massachusetts Cavalry under Captain Charles F. Adams, Jr. served with the Provost Guard in the Army of the Potomac during this time period.8,9,10

Second Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | Second Division | Cavalry Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army11,12

  • Commander: Lieutenant Colonel Samuel E. Chamberlain (June 30, 1864)13
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:
  • Note: Companies C and D of the 1st Massachusetts Cavalry under Captain Charles F. Adams, Jr. served with the Provost Guard in the Army of the Potomac during this time period.14,15

Third Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | Second Division | Cavalry Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army16,17

  • Commander: Lieutenant Colonel Samuel E. Chamberlain (July 31, 1864)18
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:
  • Note: Companies C and D of the 1st Massachusetts Cavalry under Captain Charles F. Adams, Jr. served with the Provost Guard in the Army of the Potomac during this time period.19,20

Fourth Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | Second Division | Cavalry Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army21,22

  • Commander: Lieutenant Colonel Samuel E. Chamberlain (August 31, 1864)23
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:
  • Note: Companies C and D of the 1st Massachusetts Cavalry under Captain Charles F. Adams, Jr. served with the Provost Guard in the Army of the Potomac during this time period.24

Fifth Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | Second Division | Cavalry Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army25,26

  • Commander:
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:
  • Note: Companies C and D of the 1st Massachusetts Cavalry served with the Provost Guard in the Army of the Potomac during this time period.27

Sixth Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | Second Division | Cavalry Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army28,29

  • Commander: Lieutenant Colonel Samuel E. Chamberlain (October 31, 1864)30
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:
  • Note: Companies C and D of the 1st Massachusetts Cavalry under Captain Edward A. Flint served with the Provost Guard in the Army of the Potomac during this time period.31

Seventh Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | Second Division | Cavalry Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army32,33

  • Commander: Lieutenant Colonel Samuel E. Chamberlain (December 31, 1864)34
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:
  • Note: The 1st Massachusetts Cavalry consisted of eight (8) companies at this time.35,36
  • Note: This regiment participated in Warren’s Stony Creek, or “Apple Jack” Raid to Belfield and Hicksford, Virginia from December 7-12, 1864.37
  • Note: Companies C and D of the 1st Massachusetts Cavalry under Captain Edward A. Flint served with the Provost Guard in the Army of the Potomac during this time period. 38

Eighth Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | Second Division | Cavalry Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army39,40,41

  • Commander:
    • Lieutenant Colonel Samuel E. Chamberlain (January 31, 1865)42
    • Captain George H. Teague (February 28, 1865)43
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:
  • Note: Companies C and D of the 1st Massachusetts Cavalry under Captain James J. Higginson served with the Provost Guard in the Army of the Potomac during this time period.44,45
  • Note: The 1st Massachusetts Cavalry consisted of eight (8) companies at this time.46,47
  • Note: This unit is listed in the casualty returns for the Battle of Hatcher’s Run, February 5-7, 1865, implying it was present during the Eighth Offensive and the battle.48

Ninth Offensive Order of Battle:

First Brigade | Second Division | Cavalry Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army (March 1-28(?), 1865)

Independent Brigade | Ninth Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army (March 28(?) on, 1865)49,50

  • Commander: Major John Tewksbury (March 31, 1865)51
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:
  • Note: Companies C and D of the 1st Massachusetts Cavalry served with the Provost Guard in the Army of the Potomac during this time period. Company C was commanded by Captain Edward A. Flint.  Company D was commanded by Captain James J. Higginson.52,53
  • Note: The 1st Massachusetts Cavalry consisted of eight (8) companies at this time.54,55
  • Note: The 1st Massachusetts Cavalry transferred from 1/2/Cav/AotP to the newly formed Independent Brigade, Ninth Corps, AotP on or near March 28, 1865.

Dyer’s/Sifakis’ Compendium Info:
Siege of Petersburg Battles56:

  • Sheridan’s Trevillian Raid June 7-24.
  • Trevillian Station June 11-12.
  • Newark, or Mallory’s Cross Roads, June 12.
  • Reconnaissance to Westover Church, June 13 (Cos. C & D)57
  • Black Creek, or Tunstall Station, and White House, or St. Peter’s Church, June 21.
  • St. Mary’s Church June 24.
  • Camp at Prince George Court House June 27-July 13.
  • Weldon Railroad and Warwick Swamp July 12.
  • At Lee’s Mills until July 26.
  • Demonstration on north side of James River July 27-29.
  • Deep Bottom July 27-28.
  • Malvern Hill July 28.
  • Lee’s Mills July 30.
  • Scouting duty until August 14.
  • Demonstration north of James River August 14-18.
  • Gravel Hill August 14.
  • Strawberry Plains August 14-18.
  • Charles City Cross Roads August 18.
  • Weldon Railroad August 19-21.
  • Dinwiddie Road, near Ream’s Station, August 23.
  • Ream’s Station August 25.
  • Hawkinsville September 14.
  • Jerusalem Plank Road September 16.
  • Belcher’s Mills September 17.
  • Poplar Grove Church September 29-October 2.
  • Davis’ Farm September 30.
  • Arthur’s Swamp September 30-October 1.
  • Vaughan Road October 1.
  • (Old members left front for Massachusetts October 25, 1864.)
  • Boydton Plank Road, Hatcher’s Run, October 27-28.
  • At McCann’s Station until November 18.
  • Reconnaissance toward Stony Creek November 7.
  • At Westbrook House until December 1.
  • Stony Creek Station December 1.
  • Bellefield Raid December 7-12.
  • Bellefield December 9-10.
  • At Westbrook House until March 17, 1865.
  • Dabney’s Mills, Hatcher’s Run, February 5-7.
  • Provost duty at City Point until April 2.
  • Fall of Petersburg April 2.
  • Provost duty until May 27.

Bibliography:

    Siege of Petersburg Documents Which Mention This Unit:

    Sources:

    1. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3) ↩
    2. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3) ↩
    3. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3) ↩
    4. Samuel E. Chamberlain image.  MOLLUS-Mass Civil War Photograph Collection, Vol. 95, Page 4851.  United States Army Heritage and Education Center, Carlisle, PA. ↩
    5. George H. Teague image.  MOLLUS-Mass Civil War Photograph Collection, Vol. 95, Page 4852.  United States Army Heritage and Education Center, Carlisle, PA. ↩
    6. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 1 (Serial Number 80), p. 232 ↩
    7. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 2 (Serial Number 81), p. 551 ↩
    8. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 1 (Serial Number 80), page 218 ↩
    9. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 3 (Serial Number 82), page 542 ↩
    10. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 2 (Serial Number 81), p. 4. ↩
    11. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 1 (Serial Number 80), p. 232 ↩
    12. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 2 (Serial Number 81), p. 551 ↩
    13. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 2 (Serial Number 81), p. 551 ↩
    14. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 1 (Serial Number 80), page 218 ↩
    15. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 3 (Serial Number 82), page 542 ↩
    16. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 1 (Serial Number 80), page 262 ↩
    17. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 3 (Serial Number 82), page 736 ↩
    18. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 3 (Serial Number 82), page 736 ↩
    19. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 1 (Serial Number 80), page 250 ↩
    20. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 3 (Serial Number 82), page 728 ↩
    21. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 2 (Serial Number 88), page 618: “Organization of the Army of the Potomac…August 31, 1864” ↩
    22. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 1 (Serial Number 87), pages 121, 127, 131 “Return of Casualties in the Union Forces (August 1864)” ↩
    23. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 2 (Serial Number 88), page 618: “Organization of the Army of the Potomac…August 31, 1864” ↩
    24. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 2 (Serial Number 88), page 611: “Organization of the Army of the Potomac…August 31, 1864” ↩
    25. Sommers, Richard J. “Grant’s Fifth Offensive at Petersburg: A Study in Strategy, Tactics, and Generalship.  The Battle of Poplar Spring Church, the First Battle of the Darbytown Road, the Second Battle of the Squirrel Level Road, the Second Battle of the Darbytown Road (Ulysses S. Grant, Virginia).” Doctoral Thesis. Rice University, 1970. Print. p. 1297. ↩
    26. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 1 (Serial Number 87), page 142: “Return of Casualties in the Union Forces (September-October 1864)” ↩
    27. Sommers, Richard J. “Grant’s Fifth Offensive at Petersburg: A Study in Strategy, Tactics, and Generalship.  The Battle of Poplar Spring Church, the First Battle of the Darbytown Road, the Second Battle of the Squirrel Level Road, the Second Battle of the Darbytown Road (Ulysses S. Grant, Virginia).” Doctoral Thesis. Rice University, 1970. Print. p. 1297. ↩
    28. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 3 (Serial Number 89), page 463: “Organization of the Union Forces” (October 31, 1864)” ↩
    29. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 1 (Serial Number 87), page 159: “Return of Casualties in the Union Forces…Boydton Plank Road, Va., October 27-28, 1864” ↩
    30. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 3 (Serial Number 89), page 463: “Organization of the Union Forces” (October 31, 1864)” ↩
    31. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 3 (Serial Number 89), page 457: “Organization of the Union Forces” (October 31, 1864)” ↩
    32. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 3 (Serial Number 89), page 1122: “Organization of the Union Forces” (December 31, 1864) ↩
    33. Calkins, Chris. “The Apple Jack Raid: For This Barbarism There Was No Real Excuse.” Blue & Gray Magazine Summer 2005: 18-25 (OOB on page 60). ↩
    34. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 3 (Serial Number 89), page 1122: “Organization of the Union Forces” (December 31, 1864) ↩
    35. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 3 (Serial Number 89), page 1122: “Organization of the Union Forces” (December 31, 1864) ↩
    36. Calkins, Chris. “The Apple Jack Raid: For This Barbarism There Was No Real Excuse.” Blue & Gray Magazine Summer 2005: 18-25 (OOB on page 60). ↩
    37. Calkins, Chris. “The Apple Jack Raid: For This Barbarism There Was No Real Excuse.” Blue & Gray Magazine Summer 2005: 18-25 (OOB on page 60). ↩
    38. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 3 (Serial Number 89), page 1114: “Organization of the Union Forces” (December 31, 1864) ↩
    39. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 2 (Serial Number 96), page 333: “Organization of the Union Forces” (January 31, 1865) ↩
    40. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 2 (Serial Number 96), page 746: “Organization of the Union Forces” (February 28, 1865) ↩
    41. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 96), page 68: “Return of Casualties in the Union forces at Hatcher’s Run (otherwise known as Dabney’s Mill, Armstrong’s Mill, Rowanty Creek, and Vaughan Road)… (February 5-7, 1865)” ↩
    42. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 2 (Serial Number 96), page 333: “Organization of the Union Forces” (January 31, 1865) ↩
    43. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 2 (Serial Number 96), page 746: “Organization of the Union Forces” (February 28, 1865) ↩
    44. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 2 (Serial Number 96), page 324: “Organization of the Union Forces” (January 31, 1865) ↩
    45. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 2 (Serial Number 96), page 738: “Organization of the Union Forces” (February 28, 1865) ↩
    46. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 2 (Serial Number 96), page 333: “Organization of the Union Forces” (January 31, 1865) ↩
    47. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 2 (Serial Number 96), page 746: “Organization of the Union Forces” (February 28, 1865) ↩
    48. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 96), page 68: “Return of Casualties in the Union forces at Hatcher’s Run (otherwise known as Dabney’s Mill, Armstrong’s Mill, Rowanty Creek, and Vaughan Road)… (February 5-7, 1865)” ↩
    49. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 95), page 574: “Organization of the Union Forces” (March 31, 1865) ↩
    50. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 95), page 590: “Return of casualties in the Union Forces commanded by Lieut. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, March 29-April 9, 1865” ↩
    51. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 95), page 574: “Organization of the Union Forces” (March 31, 1865) ↩
    52. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 95), page 564: “Organization of the Union Forces” (March 31, 1865) ↩
    53. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 95), page 581: “Return of casualties in the Union Forces commanded by Lieut. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, March 29-April 9, 1865” ↩
    54. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 95), page 574: “Organization of the Union Forces” (March 31, 1865) ↩
    55. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 95), page 590: “Return of casualties in the Union Forces commanded by Lieut. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, March 29-April 9, 1865” ↩
    56. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3) ↩
    57. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 2 (Serial Number 81), p. 4. ↩

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