Unit

Federal Regiment

8th New York Cavalry

Commanding Officer:
Col. Benjamin F. Davis

Arms:
   Sharps Carbine

Battlefield Tablets for this Unit:
   Tablet #122: Army of the Potomac - 17 Sep, 10 AM to 17 Sep, 6 PM
   Tablet #21: Cavalry Division - 17 Sep, 6 AM to 17 Sep, 8 PM
   Tablet #121: Army of the Potomac - 17 Sep, 8 AM to 17 Sep, 6 PM

This Regiment's Chain of Command:
  Army - Army of the Potomac
  Division - Pleasonton's Cavalry Division
  Brigade - 5th Brigade, Cavalry Division

In the Antietam Campaign:
On 30 August 1862 the regiment entrained for Harpers Ferry. They were assigned to the vedette line running from Summit Point to Kearneysville (based at Harpers Ferry). The primary object, as stated in Davis' orders, was to protect the Winchester Rail line as well as to break up the 12th Virginia Cavalry.

By the 13th of September they were essentially 'bottled up' with the garrison at Harpers Ferry. Davis created and argued the plan to get the Cavalry out, which was executed on the night of Sept 14-15. During their escape the troopers briefly fought with Confederates near Sharpsburg, and captured (part of?) General Longstreet's reserve ammunition train (consisting of about 80 wagons) on the Hagerstown Pike near Williamsport MD.

The 8th NY Cavalry joined the rest of Gen Pleasonton's Cavalry at Antietam, but were kept largely in reserve on the 17th.

We have 5 individuals in the AotW database for this unit:

Co.	Rank	Name	Casualty?
D	Sgt	Briggs, John	KIA 09/17
F	Pvt	Griffis, Hoy C.	Died 11/21
G	Sgt	Compson, Hartwell Thomas Benton
H	Pvt	Boughton, Charles W.	Died 09/21
M	Pvt	Page, W. H. H.	Died 11/01

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