1st Oregon Cavalry

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= 1st Oregon Volunteer Cavalry Regiment


caption=Flag of Oregon
dates= April 1862 to November 20, 1866.
country= United States
allegiance= Union
branch= Cavalry
equipment=
battles=

The First Regiment, Oregon Cavalry was a regiment in the volunteer Union army that participated in the American Civil War. With many men recruited from California, the regiment primarily served to protect the state of Oregon and surrounding territories in the Pacific Coast Theater of the American Civil War.

Background

In 1861, Colonel George Wright requested permission from Oregon Governor John Whiteaker to form a cavalry company in the state, as Wright was commander of the District of Oregon that included the Washington Territory.Corning, Howard M. (1989) "Dictionary of Oregon History". Binfords & Mort Publishing. p. 84.] Wright was motivated by the fact that there were a total of 700 soldiers and 19 officers in the Pacific Northwest at a time when there were often battles with Native Americans. Some volunteers joined up, asked to provide their own horse, but were later discharged when the organization failed before Wright was transferred to California.

Lieutenant Colonel Cody replaced Wright late in 1861 as United States Army regular troops were returned east for the American Civil War. To replace those troops, Wright sent volunteers from California to protect Oregon from attacks by Native Americans. In response, Oregon then commissioned Thomas R. Cornelius in November 1861 as colonel and ordered him to raise ten companies of cavalry troops. Oregonians were unhappy with California volunteers protecting Oregon.

Formation

The initial part of the regiment (companies A through F) was organized and mustered into the army in Oregon from February to April 1862. In May 1862, it was sent into the Washington Territory to the Walla Walla country to protect immigrants and miners along the Salmon River. The 1st Oregon occupied Fort Walla Walla in June 1862 and sent out various expeditions over the next two years to fight the Snake Indians and other threats. Hence, the regiment was rarely intact as a single unit for much of the war. Several companies scattered to other frontier forts, including Fort Vancouver and Fort Dalles (see also The Dalles, Oregon) for detached duty such as constructing roads through the wilderness.

In January 1863, the remaining portion of the regiment (companies G, H, I, K, and M) were authorized and activated for duty. Companies G and H served at Camp Watson on Rock Creek; Company I was at Fort Klamath, Company K at Fort Dalles and Companies L and M at Fort Boles in Idaho Territory. The battalion came together for several skirmishes in the Harney Lake Valley and other locations with local Indians.

Men signed up for a three-year tour of duty with the cavalry. Pay was $31 per month for each soldier, and at the end of service men were given a $100 bounty and 160 acres of land. In addition to Col. Cornelius, other officers included R. F. Maury, C. S. Drew, Benjamin F. Harding as quartermaster, and J. S. Rinearson.

Disbanding

In January 1865, Col. Reuben F. Maury, 1st Oregon Cavalry, assumed command of the Federal District of Oregon. The 1st Oregon Cavalry mustered out November 20, 1866.

References

* Dyer, Frederick H., "A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion". Vol. 2. Dayton, Ohio: Morningside Press, 1979.
* [http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/regiments.cfm National Park Service Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System]
* [http://www.ccws.us/ft_klamath.html Fort Klamath webpage]

External links

* [http://www.co.klamath.or.us/museum/Profile%20FKM.htm Klamath County Museums: Fort Klamath Museum]
* [http://www.suvoregon.org/ Col. Edward D. Baker Camp - Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War]
* Shannon, Donald H. "Massacre Rocks and City of Rocks" (2008). Chapter Thirteen. pp 157-176. Caldwell, ID: Snake Country Publishing. ISBN 978-0-9635828-3-6