The First Regiment Oregon volunteer Cavalry was a volunteer
regiment
A regiment is a military unit. Its role and size varies markedly, depending on the country, service and/or a specialisation.
In Medieval Europe, the term "regiment" denoted any large body of front-line soldiers, recruited or conscript ...
in United States service
Union army
During the American Civil War, the Union Army, also known as the Federal Army and the Northern Army, referring to the United States Army, was the land force that fought to preserve the Union of the collective states. It proved essential to th ...
that was formed in response to the
American Civil War
The American Civil War (April 12, 1861 – May 26, 1865; also known by other names) was a civil war in the United States. It was fought between the Union ("the North") and the Confederacy ("the South"), the latter formed by states ...
. With men recruited in Oregon and some recruited in surrounding states, the regiment primarily served to protect the state of
Oregon
Oregon () is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the Western United States. The Columbia River delineates much of Oregon's northern boundary with Washington, while the Snake River delineates much of its eastern boundary with Idaho. T ...
and surrounding territories during the
American Civil War
The American Civil War (April 12, 1861 – May 26, 1865; also known by other names) was a civil war in the United States. It was fought between the Union ("the North") and the Confederacy ("the South"), the latter formed by states ...
.
Background
In 1861, Colonel
George Wright George Wright may refer to:
Politics, law and government
* George Wright (MP) (died 1557), MP for Bedford and Wallingford
* George Wright (governor) (1779–1842), Canadian politician, lieutenant governor of Prince Edward Island
* George Wright ...
requested permission from Oregon Governor
John Whiteaker
John Whiteaker (May 4, 1820October 2, 1902) was an American politician, soldier, and judge. A native of Indiana, he joined the army during the Mexican–American War and then prospected during the California Gold Rush. After moving to the Orego ...
to form a cavalry company in the state, as Wright was commander of the District of Oregon that included the
Washington Territory
The Territory of Washington was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from March 2, 1853, until November 11, 1889, when the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Washington. It was created from the ...
.
[Corning, Howard M. (1989) ''Dictionary of Oregon History''. Binfords & Mort Publishing. p. 84.] Wright was motivated by the fact that there were a total of 700 soldiers and 19 officers in the Pacific Northwest at a time when there were often battles with Native Americans.
[ Some volunteers joined up, asked to provide their own horse, but were later discharged when the organization failed before Wright was transferred to ]California
California is a state in the Western United States, located along the Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the most populous U.S. state and the 3rd largest by area. It is also the m ...
.[
Lieutenant Colonel Albemarle Cady replaced Wright late in 1861 as ]United States Army
The United States Army (USA) is the land warfare, land military branch, service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight Uniformed services of the United States, U.S. uniformed services, and is designated as the Army o ...
regular troops were returned east for the American Civil War
The American Civil War (April 12, 1861 – May 26, 1865; also known by other names) was a civil war in the United States. It was fought between the Union ("the North") and the Confederacy ("the South"), the latter formed by states ...
.[ To replace those troops, Wright sent volunteers from California to protect Oregon from attacks by Native Americans.][ In response, Oregon then commissioned Thomas R. Cornelius in November 1861 as colonel and ordered him to raise ten companies of cavalry troops. Oregonians were unhappy with California volunteers protecting Oregon.][
]
Formation
The initial part of the regiment (companies A through F) was organized and mustered into the army in Oregon from December 1861 to April 1862. In May 1862, it was sent into the Washington Territory
The Territory of Washington was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from March 2, 1853, until November 11, 1889, when the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Washington. It was created from the ...
to the Walla Walla country to protect immigrants and miners along the Salmon River. The 1st Oregon occupied Fort Walla Walla
Fort Walla Walla is a United States Army fort located in Walla Walla, Washington. The first Fort Walla Walla was established July 1856, by Lieutenant Colonel Edward Steptoe, 9th Infantry Regiment. A second Fort Walla Walla was occupied Septem ...
in June 1862 and sent out various expeditions over the next two years to fight the Snake Indians
Snake Indians is a collective name given to the Northern Paiute, Bannock, and Shoshone Native American tribes.
The term was used as early as 1739 by French trader and explorer Pierre Gaultier de Varennes, Sieur de la Verendrye when he descri ...
and other threats. Hence, the regiment was rarely intact as a single unit for much of the war. Several companies scattered to other frontier forts, including Fort Vancouver
Fort Vancouver was a 19th century fur trading post that was the headquarters of the Hudson's Bay Company's Columbia Department, located in the Pacific Northwest. Named for Captain George Vancouver, the fort was located on the northern bank of th ...
and Fort Dalles
Fort Dalles was a United States Army outpost located on the Columbia River at the present site of The Dalles, Oregon, in the United States. Built when Oregon was a territory, the post was used mainly for dealing with wars with Native Americans. Th ...
(see also The Dalles, Oregon
The Dalles is the largest city of Wasco County, Oregon, United States. The population was 16,010 at the 2020 census, and it is the largest city on the Oregon side of the Columbia River between the Portland Metropolitan Area, and Hermisto ...
) for detached duty such as constructing roads through the wilderness.
In January 1863, the remaining portion of the regiment (companies G, H, I, K, and M) were authorized and activated for duty. Companies G and H served at Camp Watson on Rock Creek; Company I was at Fort Klamath
Fort Klamath was a military outpost near the western end of the Oregon Trail, between Crater Lake National Park and Upper Klamath Lake in Klamath County, Oregon, United States. The Fort Klamath Site, about a mile southeast of the present communi ...
, Company K at Fort Dalles and Companies L and M at Fort Boise
Fort Boise is either of two different locations in the western United States, both in southwestern Idaho. The first was a Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) trading post near the Snake River on what is now the Oregon border (in present-day Canyon County ...
in Idaho Territory. The battalion came together for several skirmishes with local Indians in the Harney Lake Valley and other locations.
Men signed up for a three-year tour of duty with the cavalry.[ Pay was $13 per month for each soldier, and at the end of service men were given a $100 bounty and of land.][ In addition to Col. Cornelius, other officers included R. F. Maury, C. S. Drew, Benjamin F. Harding as quartermaster, and J. S. Rinearson.][
]
Disbanding
In January 1865, Col. Reuben F. Maury, 1st Oregon Cavalry, assumed command of the Federal District of Oregon. The 1st Oregon Cavalry mustered out November 20, 1866.
The 1st Oregon Volunteer Cavalry Regiment did not muster out all at once, but did so in stages beginning in November 1864. Two years later there were only a small number of men remaining to muster out of service.
1st Regiment Oregon Volunteer Cavalry Commanders
* Colonel Thomas R. Cornelius 1862
* Colonel Reuben F. Maury 1862–1865
Company assignments
* Company A – The company was organized near Oregon City and moved to Fort Dalles
Fort Dalles was a United States Army outpost located on the Columbia River at the present site of The Dalles, Oregon, in the United States. Built when Oregon was a territory, the post was used mainly for dealing with wars with Native Americans. Th ...
then to Fort Walla Walla
Fort Walla Walla is a United States Army fort located in Walla Walla, Washington. The first Fort Walla Walla was established July 1856, by Lieutenant Colonel Edward Steptoe, 9th Infantry Regiment. A second Fort Walla Walla was occupied Septem ...
, Washington Territory
The Territory of Washington was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from March 2, 1853, until November 11, 1889, when the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Washington. It was created from the ...
, June 24 – July 12, 1862. The Company left Fort Walla Walla, July 25, 1862, for Salmon Falls on the Snake River Expedition against Snake Indians
Snakes are elongated, limbless, carnivorous reptiles of the suborder Serpentes . Like all other squamates, snakes are ectothermic, amniote vertebrates covered in overlapping scales. Many species of snakes have skulls with several more joints ...
in what is now Idaho
Idaho ( ) is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the Western United States. To the north, it shares a small portion of the Canada–United States border with the province of British Columbia. It borders the states of Montana and Wyomi ...
, August 19 – October 11, 1862, and protecting emigrant roads until November. At Fort Dalles until April, 1863 then ordered to Fort Walla Walla April 20 and sent on another Expedition against Snake Indians in Idaho from May 4 to October 26, 1863. , February 16–23, 1864, and to Southeastern Oregon
Southeastern Oregon is a geographical term for the area along the borders of the U.S. state of Oregon with Idaho, California, and Nevada. It includes the populous areas of Burns, Klamath Falls and Lakeview. The region is also known by its nick ...
April 30 to October 6, 1864. from August 27 to October 5, 1864. At Fort Vancouver
Fort Vancouver was a 19th century fur trading post that was the headquarters of the Hudson's Bay Company's Columbia Department, located in the Pacific Northwest. Named for Captain George Vancouver, the fort was located on the northern bank of th ...
and other stations in Oregon and Idaho until muster out. Expedition from Camp Lyon, Idaho Territory, to Malheur River, Oregon, and skirmish
Expedition may refer to:
* An exploration, journey, or voyage undertaken by a group of people especially for discovery and scientific research
Places
* Expedition Island, a park in Green River, Wyoming, US
* Expedition Range, a mountain range in ...
July 2–13, 1865.
* Company B – Company "B" moved from Salem, Oregon, to Fort Vancouver
Fort Vancouver was a 19th century fur trading post that was the headquarters of the Hudson's Bay Company's Columbia Department, located in the Pacific Northwest. Named for Captain George Vancouver, the fort was located on the northern bank of th ...
then to Fort Walla Walla via Fort Dalles from May 14 – June 2, 1862. The Company left Fort Walla Walla July 25, 1862, for Salmon Falls on Snake River. Expedition against Snake Indians in Idaho
Expedition may refer to:
* An exploration, journey, or voyage undertaken by a group of people especially for discovery and scientific research
Places
* Expedition Island, a park in Green River, Wyoming, US
* Expedition Range, a mountain range in ...
August 19 – October 11, 1862, and protected emigrant roads until November 1, 1862. At Fort Walla Walla until April 1863. Moved to Fort Lapwai
Fort Lapwai (1862–1884), was a Federal government of the United States, federal Fortification#North America, fort in present-day Lapwai, Idaho, Lapwai in North Central Idaho, north central Idaho, United States. On the Nez Perce people#Nez P ...
June 13, 1863, then to Canyon City July 10. Ordered to Fort Vancouver on September 29, 1863, with duty there until April 1864. Expedition to Southeastern Oregon and skirmishes
Expedition may refer to:
* An exploration, journey, or voyage undertaken by a group of people especially for discovery and scientific research
Places
* Expedition Island, a park in Green River, Wyoming, US
* Expedition Range, a mountain range in ...
April 20 – October 6, 1864. Duty at Forts Vancouver, Walla Walla, Boise
Boise (, , ) is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Idaho and is the county seat of Ada County. On the Boise River in southwestern Idaho, it is east of the Oregon border and north of the Nevada border. The downtown area' ...
and other points in the District of Oregon until muster out. Expedition from Camp Lyon, Idaho Territory, to Malheur River
The Malheur River (local pronunciation: "MAL-hyure") is a tributary of the Snake River in eastern Oregon in the United States. It drains a high desert area, between the Harney Basin and the Blue Mountains and the Snake.
Despite the similari ...
, Oregon, and skirmish July 2–13, 1865.
* Company C – The company was organized near Oregon City moved to Fort Vancouver June 24, 1862. (A Detachment ordered to Jacksonville, Oregon, July 2, 1862.) Duty there and at Klamath operating against Indians in Rogue River District until June, 1865. At Fort Steilacoom
''For the adjacent park, see Fort Steilacoom Park''
Fort Steilacoom was founded by the U.S. Army in 1849 near Lake Steilacoom. It was among the first military fortifications built by the U.S. north of the Columbia River in what was to become the ...
and other points in District of Oregon until muster out.
* Company D – The company was organized near Oregon City moved to Fort Dalles; then to Fort Walla Walla from June 24 – July 12, 1862. Left Fort Walla Walla July 25 for Salmon Falls on Snake River. Expedition against Snake Indians in Idaho
Expedition may refer to:
* An exploration, journey, or voyage undertaken by a group of people especially for discovery and scientific research
Places
* Expedition Island, a park in Green River, Wyoming, US
* Expedition Range, a mountain range in ...
and protecting emigrant roads August 19 to October 11, 1862. At Fort Walla Walla November, 1862, to April, 1863. Expedition from Fort Walla Walla against Snake Indians
Expedition may refer to:
* An exploration, journey, or voyage undertaken by a group of people especially for discovery and scientific research
Places
* Expedition Island, a park in Green River, Wyoming, US
* Expedition Range, a mountain range in ...
in Idaho May 4 – October 20, 1863. Ordered to Fort Dalles October 29, and duty there until April, 1864. Expedition to Southeastern Oregon and skirmishes
Expedition may refer to:
* An exploration, journey, or voyage undertaken by a group of people especially for discovery and scientific research
Places
* Expedition Island, a park in Green River, Wyoming, US
* Expedition Range, a mountain range in ...
April 20 – October 6, 1864. Expedition from Siletz Block House to Coos Bay, Crooked River, April 21 – May 12, 1864 (Co. "D"). Ordered to Fort Vancouver October 6, 1864. Duty at Fort Vancouver, Fort Walla Walla and other points in the District of Oregon until muster out. Expedition from Camp Lyon, Idaho Territory, to Malheur River, Oregon, and skirmish
Expedition may refer to:
* An exploration, journey, or voyage undertaken by a group of people especially for discovery and scientific research
Places
* Expedition Island, a park in Green River, Wyoming, US
* Expedition Range, a mountain range in ...
July 2–13, 1865.
* Company E – The company was organized near Salem moved to Fort Vancouver; then to Fort Walla Walla via Fort Dalles May 14 – June 3, 1862. Duty at Fort Walla Walla until April, 1863. Expedition to Grand Ronde Prairie
Expedition may refer to:
* An exploration, journey, or voyage undertaken by a group of people especially for discovery and scientific research
Places
* Expedition Island, a park in Green River, Wyoming, US
* Expedition Range, a mountain range ...
August 10–22, 1862. Expedition against Snake Indians in Idaho
Expedition may refer to:
* An exploration, journey, or voyage undertaken by a group of people especially for discovery and scientific research
Places
* Expedition Island, a park in Green River, Wyoming, US
* Expedition Range, a mountain range in ...
May 4 – October 20, 1863. At Fort Walla Walla until April, 1864. , February 16–23, 1864. April 20 – October 6, 1864. At Forts Dalles, Colville and other points in District of Oregon until muster out.
* Company F – The company was organized near Oregon City. Company "F" moved to Fort Dalles; then to Fort Walla Walla June 24 – July 12, 1862. Duty near Lewiston, Nez Perce Reservation, July 25 to November 1, 1862. Garrison at Fort Lapwai
Fort Lapwai (1862–1884), was a Federal government of the United States, federal Fortification#North America, fort in present-day Lapwai, Idaho, Lapwai in North Central Idaho, north central Idaho, United States. On the Nez Perce people#Nez P ...
until May, 1865. Expedition from Fort Lapwai to the Meadows
Expedition may refer to:
* An exploration, journey, or voyage undertaken by a group of people especially for discovery and scientific research
Places
* Expedition Island, a park in Green River, Wyoming, US
* Expedition Range, a mountain range in ...
August 22 to September 20, 1863. Skirmish, Harney Lake Valley September 23, 1864 (Cos. "F" and "H"). At Fort Walla Walla and other points in District of Oregon May, 1865, to muster out.
* Company G – Company "G," authorized January, 1863. Company "G" at Camp Watson on Rock Creek, Ore.
No other companies were mustered during the regiment's service.
Regiment mustered out November 20, 1866.
Notes
References
* Dyer, Frederick H., ''A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion''. Vol. 2. Dayton, Ohio: Morningside Press, 1979.
National Park Service Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System
External links
Col. Edward D. Baker Camp – Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War
* Shannon, Donald H. "Massacre Rocks and City of Rocks" (2008). Chapter Thirteen. pp 157–176. Caldwell, ID: Snake Country Publishing. {{ISBN, 978-0-9635828-3-6
Military units and formations in Oregon
Units and formations of the Union Army from Oregon
1862 establishments in Oregon
Military units and formations established in 1862
Military units and formations disestablished in 1866