Rush's Lancers: The Sixth Pennsylvania Cavalry in the Civil War

by Eric J. Wittenberg

"A superb regiment, noted for intelligence, bravery and stalwart service, the Sixth Pennsylvania Cavalry was an elite outfit, in the truest sense. That they were accepted and admired by the Regulars, alongside whom they served on many a hard-fought field, speaks volumes of the gallantry and dash of these sons of the Keystone State."—Brian C. Pohanka, historian and adviser for the motion pictures Cold Mountain and Glory The Sixth Pennsylvania Cavalry, also known as Rush’s Lancers, was a completely volunteer unit and one of the finest regiments to serve in the Civil War. Tracing their history from George Washington’s personal body guard during the Revolutionary War, many of the men of the Sixth Pennsylvania were the cream of Philadelphia society, including Richard H. Rush, grandson of Dr. Benjamin Rush, Maj. Robert Morris, Jr., great-grandson of the financier of the Revolutionary War, Capt. Charles Cadwalader, whose great-grandfather was a general under George Washington, Frank H. Furness, architect and Medal of Honor recipient, and George G. Meade, Jr. But it was their actions in battle, not their illustrious family histories, that distinguished Rush’s Lancers. The Sixth Pennsylvania Cavalry earned a reputation for being a highly trained and reliable unit, despite being armed initially with antiquated weapons, leaving their mark on key battlefields, including Hanover Court House, Antietam, ! Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Brandy Station—where they conducted one of the most famous charges of the war—and Appomattox. Drawing upon letters, diaries, memoirs, service and pension files, contemporary newspaper coverage, official records, and other primary sources, Rush’s The Sixth Pennsylvania Cavalry in the Civil War by distinguished military historian Eric J. Wittenberg is an engrossing account of these young men from both Philadelphia's social elite and the city's working classes who, despite not being professional soldiers, answered the Nation’s call to war.

Genres: Civil War

320 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Eric J. Wittenberg is an American Civil War historian, author, lecturer, tour guide and battlefield preservationist. He is a practicing attorney in downtown Columbus, Ohio. His published works have focused especially on the Civil War cavalryman and the cavalry battles of the Civil War, with emphasis on the Army of the Potomac's Cavalry Corps

Reviews

[Joe Owen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Civil War historian and author Eric J. Wittenberg has written an outstanding history of the famed 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry Regiment. "Rush's Lancers" by Mr. Wittenberg is the history of this famous regiment made up of Philadelphia's noble sons. The men (many from the upper crust of Philadelphia society) earned their fame for the many campaigns and battles they partook as part of the Army of the Potomac from 1862 to the end of the Civil War in 1865. First formed during the American Revolution as part of General George Washington's personal body guard, this regiment at the beginning of the Civil War was equipped at first with antiquated weaponry such as lancers thus there name was made as Rush's Lancers named after Richard H. Rush.
First going into battle in 1862, the regiment was in the thick of many engagements against the Army of Northern Virginia. The regiment traveled many miles in Virginia, Maryland, and West Virginia and was known for their bravery in battle and being highly trained and proficient in weaponry which served them well at Antietam (Sharpsburg), Gettysburg, and later in the war at Petersburg. After the war some of the officers of the regiment went on to have great careers in the regular army.
Mr. Wittenberg in his thorough research of the regiment tells of the everyday life of the Union Cavalrymen both officer and enlisted, and the tremendous sacrifice these cavalry troopers endured. Some of the cavalrymen would die of disease that spread through many regiments, wounds received in battle, and being killed in action. When the cavalry and infantry units of the Army of Northern Virginia faced the 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry, they knew they were in for a "tough time" in battle.
This is a complete and thorough history of the regiment from 1862 to 1865. The author as noted before has outstanding end notes, bibliography, photos, maps, and campaign history that compliments this as an accurate and resourceful read. This is a book that is a great tribute to the regiment and the Union Cavalry Regiments of the Army of the Potomac. It is a must read to anyone interested in the history of the Union Cavalry of the Civil War, Army of the Potomac, and history of the Union Regiments of Pennsylvania from 1862 to 1865. A truly outstanding read and history!