The 7th Rhode Island Cavalry Squadron was a
cavalry
Historically, cavalry (from the French word ''cavalerie'', itself derived from "cheval" meaning "horse") are soldiers or warriors who fight mounted on horseback. Cavalry were the most mobile of the combat arms, operating as light cavalry ...
squadron
Squadron may refer to:
* Squadron (army), a military unit of cavalry, tanks, or equivalent subdivided into troops or tank companies
* Squadron (aviation), a military unit that consists of three or four flights with a total of 12 to 24 aircraft, de ...
that served in the
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 (American Civil War), Union of the collective U.S. st ...
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 th ...
.
Service
The 7th Rhode Island Cavalry Squadron was organized in
Providence
Providence often refers to:
* Providentia, the divine personification of foresight in ancient Roman religion
* Divine providence, divinely ordained events and outcomes in Christianity
* Providence, Rhode Island, the capital of Rhode Island in the ...
, Rhode Island and mustered in June 24, 1862, for three months' service. It consisted of two companies, Company A and Company B, under the command of
Major
Major (commandant in certain jurisdictions) is a military rank of commissioned officer status, with corresponding ranks existing in many military forces throughout the world. When used unhyphenated and in conjunction with no other indicators ...
Augustus W. Corliss
Augustus Whittemore Corliss (March 25, 1837 – September 4, 1908) was an American author and historian. He published, amongst other works, ''Old Times in North Yarmouth, Maine'' across several volumes. He began writing it during his career in t ...
.
[Corliss later helped to raise the ]2nd Rhode Island Cavalry
The 2nd Rhode Island Cavalry Regiment was a cavalry regiment of the Union Army in the American Civil War.
Service
The 2nd Rhode Island Cavalry Regiment was organized in Providence, Rhode Island and mustered on November 21, 1862, for a three-yea ...
, entering the service as major and being promoted to lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant colonel ( , ) is a rank of commissioned officers in the armies, most marine forces and some air forces of the world, above a major and below a colonel. Several police forces in the United States use the rank of lieutenant colone ...
.
The companies moved to Washington, D.C., June 28–30 and were attached to Military District of Washington, Wadsworth's Command, to July 1862. Sturgis' Command, Military District of Washington, to August 1862. Winchester, Virginia, to September 1862. Miles' Command, Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, September, 1862.
Served duty at Camp Clark and Camp Sprague, defenses of Washington, until July 25, 1862. Moved to Alexandria, Virginia, July 25, then to Winchester, Virginia, August 1. Served duty at Camp Sigel, Winchester, until September 3. Retreated to Newtown and Middleburg, then to Harpers Ferry, September 3–4. Maryland Heights September 12–13. Defense of Harpers Ferry September 13–15. Escaped through enemy's lines September 15 and participated in the capture of 100 wagons of Longstreet's supply train September 16.
The 7th Squadron, Rhode Island Cavalry mustered out September 26, 1862.
Commanders
* Major Augustus Whittemore Corliss
See also
*
List of Rhode Island Civil War units
List of military units raised by the state of Rhode Island during the American Civil War.
Artillery units
Cavalry
Infantry
Miscellaneous
* Independent Company Hospital GuardsThis unit was organized at Portsmouth Grove, Rhode Island on Dec ...
*
Rhode Island in the American Civil War
The state of Rhode Island during the American Civil War remained loyal to the Union, as did the other states of New England. Rhode Island furnished 25,236 fighting men to the Union Army, of which 1,685 died. The state used its industrial capacity ...
Notes
References
* Corliss, Augustus Whittemore. ''History of the Seventh Squadron, Rhode Island Cavalry'' (Yarmouth, ME: "Old Times" Office), 1879.
* Dyer, Frederick H. ''A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion'' (Des Moines, IA: Dyer Pub. Co.), 1908.
*
uthor was a corporal in Company A.*
uthor was a private and veterinary surgeon in Company B.;Attribution
* {{CWR
Military units and formations established in 1862
Military units and formations disestablished in 1862
Units and formations of the Union Army from Rhode Island
1862 establishments in Rhode Island