First D.C. Cavalry

This Regiment was an independent organization designed for special services in Washington, D.C. Its' first officers were commissioned by the President of the United States. The later companies had their officers commissioned by the Governor of the State of Maine. The regiment did not arrive in Washington at the same time, but over a period of time covering the end of October to the end of February.

Part of this regiment went to Portsmouth, Virginia for guard duty and the remainder joined General Butler's Army. That part which joined General Butler saw action around Petersburg. After a heavy engagement at Sycamore's Church and Cox's Church, the remainder of the regiment went to the First Maine Cavalry and their regimental history of engagements will be the same as the First Maine.

Engagements

Kautz's Raid - May 5 - 20, 1864
Weldon and Petersburg Railroad - May - June, 1864
Malvern Hill - July 26, 1864
Picket duty on railroad - August 21-24, 1864
Ream's Station - August 24, 1864

Transfer to 1st Maine Cavalry - August 27, 1864

Sycamore's Church (still as D.C. Cavalry) - September 15, 1864
Cox's Church - September 15, 1864

Total Enrollment

1,017 all recruits (source 1864-65 Adjutant General's Report)

Casualties(source 1864-65 Adjutant General's Report)

Killed in Action - 24
Died of Disease -27
Died of Wounds - 3
Died in Prison - 1

Civil War Records Common To All Regiments

Civil War Correspondence
Civil War Index for Soldiers and Sailors
Civil War Muster Rolls
Civil War Obituaries
Civil War Photos (Mostly Officers)
Cemetery Index
General Law Pension
Graves Registration Cards

Civil War Records Unique to the First DC Cavalry

Enlistment papers 1863-1864 (Box 68)
Muster and Descriptive Rolls 1863-1864 (Box 186)
Returns of the Regiment - 1st ME Cav. and the 1st DC Cavalry - 1 Vol. 1864