97 Horses Left on the Field: The 8th Pennsylvania Cavalry Charge at Chancellorsville

A common complaint from infantrymen during the Civil War was “who ever saw a dead cavalryman?” That epithet certainly couldn’t be used in reference to the 8th Pennsylvania Cavalry whose charge to escape capture at Chancellorsville left the ground carpeted with 97 dead horses and 51 men killed, wounded, or captured.

In describing the charge, one veteran stated “the enemy opened their ranks to the front and rear and allowed us to pass amid a shower of bullets and bayonet thrusts. Many of them were cut down with the saber and some were trampled to death by our horses. A good number of our own men and horses had fallen in the road and it was with difficulty we reached the road at all. Our hearts almost sank within us as there was yet another line of the enemy to pass through and in their front our forces were hurrying forward to reach the new line of battle that had been partly formed. We must cut our way through or surrender; so, we dashed forward with renewed energy, scattering the enemy to the woods which shielded the roads and from the shelter of this they kept up a constant and rapid fire.”

This following exciting account of the Chancellorsville campaign was written by a soldier of Troop E, 8th Pennsylvania Cavalry writing under the nom-de-plume of Bugler. It first saw publication in the June 6, 1863, edition of the West Jersey Pioneer published in Bridgeton, New Jersey.

 

 

This fine print by Don Troiani depicts what was known as Keenan's Charge, named after Major Peter Keenan of the 8th Pennsylvania Cavalry who lost his life leading his troopers to safety. 

Port Conway, Virginia

May 17, 1863

          We have had some stirring times and tall fighting within the past two or three weeks. Your readers are doubtless familiar with all the particulars of the general engagement but I will give you a brief narrative of the doings of our own regiment. It must be remembered that the entire cavalry force, with the exception of our brigade [Second Brigade, First Division under Colonel Thomas Devin] was with General Stoneman, none of them were engaged with the army.

          The advance was started on Monday April 27th and reached U.S. Ford where we rested for the night. Tuesday, our brigade was inactive but the infantry and artillery were marching in solid columns all day and little did we think that we would find an enemy in our front of sufficient strength to make us falter on the road, but such is war.

Before daylight Wednesday morning [April 29] we were on the road to Kelly’s Ford, a good part of the troops were already across but were now halting. The 6th New York Cavalry started the right advance, the 17th Pennsylvania Cavalry in rear driving the stragglers forward while our regiment advanced on the left and the road leading to Fredericksburg via Chancellorsville, Sickle’s division of infantry following close in our rear. We found no obstructions or enemy but reached the Rapidan River in safety, a small party crossed and reported no enemy within one mile.

We were then ordered to Richards’ Ford, our errand being to capture the strong picket known to be stationed there. We met no enemy until within sight of the Ford when we discovered about 30 of the enemy resting themselves in a grove directly in our front. We charged upon them with a shout that made the valley ring. They rose and grasped their muskets but it was too late as the glittering blade was above them and they were forced to surrender although one of two of their balls came uncomfortably close. We marched them to headquarters, delivered them into the hands of the Provost Marshal, and then crossed the Rapidan and camped for the night. Some of the carbines that were captured from us last fall at Leedstown were recovered by their owners at Richard’s Ford.

During the night, intelligence was received of a strong picket in our front and at early morn we made a descent upon them and after a little skirmish, we captured two officers and 16 men, driving the remainder to the main body which we found to consist of a brigade of infantry in line of battle protected by a dense wood and earthwork. Therefore, we could not approach them without a heavy loss. General [George] Sykes was informed of their position and sent his column to the right and left of the road, left orders to watch them closely, and if they advanced on us, aid would be forthcoming. If they retired, we were to follow as close as we thought prudent. I think the Rebels smelled a trap and they soon retired although our pickets did not give the signal for ten minutes afterwards.

Model 1860 light cavalry saber

They did not halt at Chancellorsville but passed directly through and towards Fredericksburg. We advanced two miles beyond where we found them in position awaiting our attack. We gave them the pleasure of a skirmish and then retired, with the loss of three men wounded and nine horses killed. We left a strong picket and retired about a mile and camped for the night. No demonstration was made by either party until 10 o’clock Friday morning [May 1] when the enemy advanced on us in force. We fell back slowly, fighting as we went. General Sykes soon brought up his infantry and after they were in position, we fell to the rear of all with the loss of two men killed and nine wounded. The enemy still advanced but were repulsed with considerable loss. General Hooker came on the ground soon after the fight commenced and personally superintended the forming of the lines. Heavy skirmishing was constantly raging and towards night the sharp crack of the deadly rifle could be heard in every direction on the front, right, and left.

During the night, the enemy was pretty docile and our lines were permanently formed and strengthened by fallen trees and rifle pits. Skirmishing commenced early Saturday morning [May 2] and was every minute increasing in rapidity of fire until toward noon when the fight became general. Very little artillery had as yet been used but it had begun to speak. To get to our position, we were obliged to take the plank road one mile from Chancellorsville. We turned to the left and marched about one mile down a small and almost impassable road.

We were busy watching an immense wagon train which was slowly wending its way to Fredericksburg and were just contemplating our chances of success in case we should make a dash upon it when an aide came dashing up to General Sickles and General [Alfred] Pleasonton and whispered to them but a moment. We were ordered to draw sabers and follow. We had heard heavy firing on our right but did not for a moment think that anything serious had happened to us, but our first thought was the 11th Corps had routed the enemy and we are to try our blades on them. Supposing this to be the situation of affairs, we charged through the road that we had but a short half hour before came in on, and you can judge our surprise and amazement when we saw the road filled with a solid mass of the enemy.

Major Peter Keenan, 8th Pennsylvania Cavalry 

But this was our only means of escape and in our leaders we recognized three gallant men- General Sickles, General Pleasonton, and Major Peter Keenan. The enemy opened their ranks to the front and rear and allowed us to pass amid a shower of bullets and bayonet thrusts. Many of them were cut down with the saber and some were trampled to death by our horses. A good number of our own men and horses had fallen in the road and it was with difficulty we reached the road at all.

Our hearts almost sank within us as there was yet another line of the enemy to pass through and in their front our forces were hurrying forward to reach the new line of battle that had been partly formed. We must cut our way through or surrender; so, we dashed forward with renewed energy, scattering the enemy to the woods which shielded the roads and from the shelter of this they kept up a constant and rapid fire. While this was going on, the enemy halted and was only attending most affectionately to us which gave our forces time to reform their line and place the artillery. This time was taken advantage of and when the enemy advanced again he received a welcome that sent him back howling with rage. Many of us who had lost our horses were compelled to run but most arrived safe in the rear. Many of us who had lost our horses were compelled to run, but most arrived safe in the rear. When we arrived at Chancellorsville we formed a skirmish line and detained all stragglers of which there were a great many.

After the panic had ceased and tranquility and unity of action again restored, our regiment was withdrawn from duty and the men laid down to rest. At roll call Sunday morning, we found our loss to be 51 men killed and wounded, Major Keenan killed, wounded, or prisoner, Adjutant [J. Hazleton] Haddock killed, Captain [Thomas] Arrowsmith of Co. B, killed. 97 horses were left on the field with all of their equipment. Some of the men say they will work with the 11th Corps, but I do not think there is one who, if he saw them in danger, but would do all he could for their rescue. The battle commenced again early Sunday morning with increased ardor, but we steadily held our lines until noon when the enemy retired; for some cause, we did not follow.

We were ordered back across the river, crossed U.S. Ford, and camped for the night. The enemy brought a light to the bank and gave us a vigorous shelling we were forced to retire farther back. In the afternoon, we were ordered to Sedgwick’s assistance.

Bugler

Source:

Letter from Bugler, Co. E, 8th Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry, West Jersey Pioneer (New Jersey), June 6, 1863, pg. 1


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