21st Pennsylvania Cavalry

The 21st Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry, also known as the 182nd Regiment, was mustered June 23, 1863, remustered for three years on February 20, 1864, and mustered out July 8, 1865. It took part in 28 engagements and suffered total casualties of 459. Near this spot on June 26, 1863, Private Geo. M. Sandoe of Captain Robert Bell's Independent Cavalry Company of Adams County, afterward Company B, 21st Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry, fell as the first soldier killed on the battlefield of Gettysburg. Brevet Brigadier General Wm. H. Boyd raised the first company of cavalry for the war, Company C, 1st New York Lincoln Cavalry, was mustered July 19, 1861, promoted to colonel of the 21st Pennsylvania Cavalry on August 20, 1863, and was discharged November 4 for a wound received at Cold Harbor, Virginia, on June 3, 1864; he was born July 14, 1825, and died October 7, 1887. Brevet Brigadier General Oliver B. Knowles enlisted in that first cavalry company for the war, Company C, 1st New York Lincoln Cavalry, was mustered July 19, 1861, promoted to major in the 21st Pennsylvania Cavalry in March 1864 and to colonel in November 1864, and was discharged July 18, 1865; he was born January 3, 1842, and died December 5, 1866. Its field officers were Lieutenant Colonel R. F. Moson, Major Robert Bell, Major Chas. F. Gillies, and Major Rich'd Rykman.

Pennsylvania · United States