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Commanding Officer on the Antietam Campaign:
Col. Benjamin F. Davis
Arms:
Sharps Carbine
This Regiment's Chain of Command:
Army - Army of the Potomac
Division - Cavalry Division
Brigade - 5th Brigade, Cavalry Division
On 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.
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
We have 3 individuals in the AotW database who were on the Maryland Campaign with this unit:
| Co. | Rank | Name | Casualty? | Details* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D | Pvt | Dobson, Isaac J. | Died (d) 10/23 |  |
| G | Sgt | Compson, Hartwell Thomas Benton | | |
| G | Sgt | Page, William H. H. | Died (d) 11/01 | |
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