On Feb. 12, 1864, my great-grandfather, Theodore Harrison Mumford, became a Union soldier at the age of 22. On the same day he was mustered into service: 18th Pennsylvania Cavalry, Company B, 163rd Regiment.
Camp of the 18th Pennsylvania Cavalry, Brandy Station, VA, February 1864
Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, [reproduction number, e.g., LC-USZ62-92389]
Camp of 18th Pennsylvania Cavalry, Brandy Station, Virginia vicinity March 1864
Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, [reproduction number, e.g., LC-B8184-3287]
From this document: [History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, by Samuel P. Bates.Author: Bates, Samuel P. (Samuel Penniman), 1827-1902], I have excerpted the passages that Theodore would have been involved with during his service in the Eighteenth Pennsylvania.
"On the evening of February 28th, 1864, the regiment was called out of winter-quarters to accompany Kilpatrick on his daring raid upon the rebel capital, for the release of Union prisoners confined there, and enduring the torments of a most fiendish captivity. For two weeks it was upon the march, suffering from inclement weather, and frequent skirmishing and fighting. The object of the campaign was not effected, and the gallant Dahlgren, who led one division, was killed. After the return of the division, General Wilson succeeded Kilpatrick, and General M'Intosh was assigned to the command of the brigade, which was now composed of the Eighteenth Pennsylvania, Fifth, and Second New York, Second Ohio, and First Connecticut regiments.
In the general movement of the army, which commenced on the 4th of May, the Eighteenth led the advance from Germania Ford to Wilderness Tavern, and pushing thence in the direction of Orange Court House, drove the enemy back to the neighborhood of Mine Run, where it bivouackled for the night. On the following morning it moved to the left of the Plank Road and met the advance of the enemy under General tosser, a severe battle ensuing, which resulted in driving him back upon his infantry supports, which were just then coming up the road in his rear, and which proved to be Longstreet's Corps At four in the afternoon the enemy began to withdraw from the front of the Union cavalry and to move by its left on a road which intersected that upon which the cavalry had advanced, and the only avenue open for its escape.
General Wilson immediately ordered the division to fall back, with the exception of the Eighteenth, under command of Lieutenant Colonel Brinton, which he directed to hold its ground, keeping up a show of strength, for one-half hour, and then re-join the column if possible. That half hour seemed a long one those gallant men, who stood in presence of an entire corps of the rebel army, and could see by the clouds of dust which marked its course that their only way of escape was being rapidly approached. Until the time had fully elapsed they remained at their posts, and when the signal was given to retire, moved at double-quick, in hope of passing the threatened point before it was reached by the enemy. In this they were disappointed; for when the advance, under Major Darlington, approached the junction, he found the enemy in strong force, dismounted and holding all the approaches. The Major immediately charged with his battalion, but was driven back by a, furious, direct and cross fire from a foe hidden behind fences. The Second Battalion, under Major Phillips, was soon upon the ground, and also made a most gallant charge, but was in like manner repulsed. At this moment Major Darlington fell severely wounded. His wound was at the, time supposed to be mortal, and he was left in the enemy's hands. He however survived, with the loss of a leg, and was rescued by Sheridan several days after, while on the way to Richmond with other Union prisoners. Some confusion ensued as the battalions retired from these charges, and while they were being re-formed, the enemy opened at. very short range with canister, The position of the regiment was a perilous one. In front lay the enemy in strong position; the road on the right was filled with his infantry; the battery vomited forth its surcharged missiles on the left; and to the rear was a pine thicket, apparently impassable for cavalry.
The enemy, seeing that the regiment was completely cut off; commenced crossing to the road on which it had retreated, and forming in its rear. Standing alone against overwhelming numbers, its capture seemed inevitable. The only hope of escape was through the pines and at a given signal the regiment plunged into the thicket, and by the most strenuous exertions succeeded in forging its way through, and across a swamp in its rear, gaining time open woods, where it could hold the enemy in check, with but the loss of one officer and thirty-nine men in killed, wounded, and captured.
At evening it joined the division in camp, near Old Wilderness Tavern, where it was received with marks of rejoicing, the eintire regiment having been reported as capturtd. From the division headquarters a bottle of wine was sent to Colonel Brinton, on, which was this inscription: "To the Eighteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, which knows how to fight into and how to fight out of a hard place."
On the 7th the regiment moved to the east and encamped near the out-works. of Fredericksbrurg, and on the following day proceeded to, Spottsylvania Court House, where the Eighteenth charged into the place, then held by the enemy's dismounted cavalry, capturing fifty prisoners and driving his cavalry back upon his advancing infantry. On the 9th the regiment, with the main body of Sheridan's command, moved around the right flank of Lee's army, and struck boldly out towards Richlmond. In this exciting and difficult march, where, the enemy sprung up on all sides, and greatly harassed and impeded its course, the regiment participated being engaged on the 11th at Yellow Tavern, on the 12th at Richmond, and finally, on the 16th, reached Haxali's Landing, on the James, where supplies were obtained from the command of General Butler. After a few days rest, Sheridan returned and re-joined the main body of the army near the South Anna.
On the 31st the cavalry crossed the Pamunky and moved up towards Hanover Court House, which was found in possession of Generals Fitz Hugh Lee and Wyckham, who held all the roads leading thereto. The outposts were immediately driven in, but finding the main body securely posted behind barricades of rails, a halt was ordered until evening, when the Eighteenth Pennsylvania, supported by the Second Ohio, was ordered to charge and clear the town. At twilight the charge was made, dismounted, and though opposed by vastly superior numbers, well covered by breast-works, was driven in utter rout and confusion, and many prisoners were taken. Lieutenant Colonel Brinton and Major Phillips, who led the charge, were both slightly, and Captains M. S. Kingsland and David Hamilton severely wounded.
Early on the following morning the command started in pursuit of the foe, but at Ashland he was met in overpowering numbers and it was compelled to fall back again to Hanover, whence it marched to Old Church Tavern, on the road from Richmond to White House, where it joined the main body of the army. The regiment was immediately placed on picket and scout duty, in which it was engaged until the movement commenced for the crossing of the James."
On June 6, 1864, the records show that Theodore was diagnosed with Typhoid Fever and chronic diarrhea. He was hospitalized until August 10th and then furloughed until he returned to the regiment on Oct. 17th. I pick up the history again...
"In the battle of Cedar Creek, on the 19th of October, the Eighteenth was engaged from early dawn until evening, when it participated with the brigade in a brilliant charge, which closed the struggle and swept from the enemy's grasp his guns and trains. This single brigade was accredited with the capture of forty-five pieces. The loss in the engagement was three killed and five wounded."
On the 12th of November the division again met the enemy's cavalry near Cedar Creek. The brigade charged and drove him three miles. The Second Brigade, which charged on a parallel road, was repulsed, and the enemy, following up, came in upon the Eighteenth unawares, capturing Major Phillips, Lieutenant Blough, and fifteen men. Soon after this the regiment went into winter-quarters near Harper's Ferry. It subsequently participated in the descent upon Waynesboro, whereby the remnants of Early's army were captured, and with the Fifth New York Cavalry, was detailed to conduct the prisoners taken, amounting to fifteen hundred, back to Winchester. On the way General Rosser repeatedly attacked, counting confidently on the release of the prisoners, but he was foiled in every attempt, and the prisoners were all safely delivered to the commanders at Winchester. This virtually closed the active campaigning of the regiment. It remained near Winchester, engaged in picketing and scouting, until after the fall of Richmond and the surrender of Lee."
Theodore turned 23 on Dec. 17th and was again hospitalized for chronic diarrhea on Dec. 29th. It appears he spent at least the next month in the hospital. July 16, 1865, he was admitted to General Hospital Cumberland at Claryville, Maryland with severe diarrhea.
On July 21, 1865, Theodore Harrison Mumford was honorably discharged at Cumberland, Maryland.
Unidentified Union Cavalry
