2nd New York Cavalry (Harris Light)

[John Popolis]

Hello all. I was wondering if any of you have information on the 2nd New York Volunteer Cavalry (Harris Light). I've located one or two web sites (http://www.dmna.state.ny.us/historic/reghist/civil/cavalry/2ndCav/2ndCavMain.htm for example), but would appreciate a little more detail on uniforms, equipment, etc. A book would be nice, I but can't find anything later than 1874 (or that is still in print, or available through the local library).

Any info would be appreciated. Thanks!

PS I've thought about visiting New York archives... but I live in Illinois. :mad:

[markj]

Hi,

I can tell you that two companies (F and I) of the "Harris Light" were from right here in Indiana. In fact, "I" was organized in Lafayette, where I live and "F" was organized at Covington, in Fountain County, just adjacent to my county (Tippecanoe). The local papers for August-September 1861 do carry some references to the Indiana companies and their subsequent "personality conflicts" with the New Yorkers after the regiment was organized. The Hoosiers did eventually get their share of respect and one of the Lafayette men eventually became Major of the regiment.

Here is the U.S. Army Center of Military History unit bibliography for the 2nd NY Cav:

http://www.carlisle.army.mil/usamhi/Bibliographies/CivilWarUnitBibliographies/ny/cav/2cav.doc

A number of 2nd NY Cav vets returned to Indiana after their service and are buried in local cemeteries.

Let me know if you need any more information!

Mark Jaeger

[John Popolis]

markj-

Do you know if USACMH has a research/duplication service? In short, would they photocopy materials for me? (I realise that I'd end up paying for it... no problem by me.)

Looks like F and I were attatched very early in the war. Did the two companies retain their regional flavor, or did recruitment dilute their character somewhat?

Any info on how they (F and I) were equipped/outfitted?

Thank you for the info by the way! :)

-John

PS the photos on the site I placed in my original post are good... but they provide no concrete info on when the photos were taken... my best guess was one from early (1861-62), one from late (1864-65) in the war.

[markj]

Hi John,

The short answer is "Yes." If you use the USACMH photo search engine you will quickly discover that it holds a number of wartime and postwar images of 2nd NY Cav men. Among these is John A. Naylor (I think the first name is right), of Lafayette IN, who eventually rose to be Major of the regiment.

Naylor, in fact, began the war as 1st Lieutenant of Company A, (Lafayette Legion), 10th Indiana Volunteer Infantry (Three Months) and mustered into active service on/about 24 April 1861. He saw action in Western Virginia and actually took over command of Company A at Rich Mountain (11 July 1861) when Captain Christian "Chris" Miller was severely wounded early in the engagement.

Naylor also had a brother (I think his name was Isaac) who served as an officer in the 10th Indiana "Cox's" Light Artillery Battery. Unfortunately, Isaac broke his leg in an accident shortly after he resigned his commission and died in July 1863 from post-operative complications after his leg was amputated.

As time permits, I'll see if I can find some more stuff in the papers,

Mark

[markj]

Hi John,

I took a quick look at the images on the NY site: The "Unknown" image of the guy with the handlebar mustache appears to be post-war. The other images are much harder to pin down--a safe guess is "circa 1863." You may have noted that the men were photographed in front of "camp backdrops." This suggests the images were made by an itinerant photographer catering to the soldier trade.

Regards,

Mark Jaeger

P.S. Probably the best source of potential information for arms/accoutrements for the 2nd NY Cav is "Summary of Annual Returns of Ordnance...." (NARA Microfilm ID M1281):

http://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/winter_1995_civil_war_arms_and_equipment_4.html

[NY Pvt]

You have probably seen this site but I thought I would post it anyways. It has lots of great info and links to all things NY related.

http://www.morrisville.edu/library/local_history/sites/

However, I must say, I have never seen another northern unit recruited from some many far-reaching places.... From New Jersey, NYC, Poughkeepsie (10 minutes from me), CT, upstate NY, western NY, and IN. I am sure you could write a book how this unit was organized and reorganized in it self.

Happy hunting!

[John Popolis]

Thanks to all! I have a lot to go through, now... although, that may not necessarily be a good thing. :) Still, half the fun of a hunt is in the chase!