The Fifth New York Cavalry in the Civil War

by Vincent L. Burns

Overview

The Fifth New York Cavalry was a volunteer regiment organized in response to the Union defeat at the Battle of Bull Run in July 1861. The citizen-cavalrymen who made up the regiment came from across New York State and from every walk of life. In the following four years the unit became, according to contemporary sources, one of the finest cavalry formations in the field. The regiment's history is told chronologically in the overall context of the Civil War and based upon primary sources, including official reports, diaries, letters and newspaper accounts. Wherever possible Fifth New York troopers speak to us directly, describing their experiences in the Shenandoah campaign of 1862, the epic encounter at Gettysburg, life in camp and on picket duty, the Wilderness in the spring of 1864 and again the Shenandoah in the fall of 1864.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780786476909
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
Publication date:	12/31/2013
Pages:	304
Product dimensions:	10.90(w) x 7.30(h) x 1.00(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Vincent L. Burns lives in Boise, Idaho.

Table of Contents

Preface 1

1 And the War Came-1861 7

2 Spring in the Shenandoah-1862 27

3 In the Defenses of Washington-1863 45

4 Advance and Pursuit-1863 57

5 Three Days in July-1863 84

6 Retreat and Pursuit-1863 107

7 Virginia in Summer, Fall and Winter-1863-1864 128

8 Across the River-1864 168

9 Wilson's Raid-1864 193

10 Autumn in the Shenandoah-1864 219

11 Cedar Creek-1864 242

12 The Final Months-1865 252

Epilogue 263

Chapter Notes 275

Bibliography 285

Index 289

Editorial Reviews

Burns thoughtful analysis and objective presentation are a pleasure to read. This book is a model for modernizing long-outdated regimental histories and is highly recommended”—Civil War News; “this is the first history of the regiment...and Burns has done a good job of it. An excellent regimental history, this book also helps remind us that service in the cavalry was by no means as glamorous as is usually thought, and was often much more arduous than being in the infantry”—The NYMAS Review; “this is the first history of the regiment, and independent Civil War scholar Burns has done a good of of it...excellent”—Strategy Page.

From the Publisher

"this is the first history of the regiment...and Burns has done a good job of it. An excellent regimental history, this book also helps remind us that service in the cavalry was by no means as glamorous as is usually thought, and was often much more arduous than being in the infantry"

The NYMAS Review

Burns thoughtful analysis and objective presentation are a pleasure to read. This book is a model for modernizing long-outdated regimental histories and is highly recommended

Civil War News