Regimental Histories 8th New York Cavalry Also known as: The Rochester Regiment, The Crooks Cavalry Regiment Colonels: Samuel J. Crooks, Alfred Gibbs, Benjamin F. "Grimes" Davis, William L. Markell, William H. Benjamin, Edmund M. Pope Recruitments: from the counties of Monroe, Ontario, Seneca, Wayne, Orleans, Niagara, Chenango, and Oneida Dates of Service: Organized at the Rochester Fairgrounds, Rochester NY Mustered in November 23 and 28, 1861, to October 4, 1862 to serve for three years Mustered out of service on June 27, 1865 Major Engagements: Winchester, Antietam, Upperville, Barbee's Cross Roads, Beverly Ford, Gettysburg, Locust Grove, Hawe's Shop, Wilson's Raid, White Oak Swamp, Opequan, Cedar Creek, Appomattox Campaign Upon muster, the regiment's officers were: Colonel Samuel J. Crooks Lt. Colonel Charles R. Babbitt Major William L. Markell Major William H. Benjamin Adjutant Albert L. Ford Surgeon James Chapman Asst. Surgeon Winfield S. Fuller Chaplain John H. Van Ingen Co. A - Captain Edward M. Pope, 1st Lt. Alfred Leggett, 2nd Lt. Alfred E. Miller Co. B - Captain Caleb Moore, 1st Lt. Henry Cutler, 2nd Lt. John A. Broadhead Co. C - Captain John W. Dickinson, 1st Lt. John W. Brown, 2nd Lt. Frederick W. Clemons Co. D - Captain William Frisbie, 1st Lt. Ezra J. Peck, 2nd Lt. Albert L. Ford Co. E - Captain Benjamin F. Sisson, 1st Lt. Frank O. Chamberlain, 2nd Lt. Samuel E. Sturdevant Co. F - Captain Fenimore T. Gallett, 1st Lt. Thomas Bell, 2nd Lt. William D. Bristol Co. G - Captain William H. Healy, 1st Lt. William H. Webster, 2nd Lt. Frederick Scoville Co. H - Captain John Weiland, 1st Lt. John Schoen, 2nd Lt. Charles Moore Co. I - Captain Benjamin F. Foote, 1st Lt. Alpah Whiton Co. K - Captain George H. Barry, 1st Lt. Alfred S. Kinney, 2nd Lt. Daniel E. Sackett The 8th New York Cavalry, also known as the "Rochester Regiment," and informally as the "Crooks Cavalry Regiment" was organized at the Rochester Fairgrounds through November of 1861. On July 22, 1861 (the day after the Federal defeat at Bull Run), two members of Company F, 54th New York State Militia, met in Rochester and discussed the idea of raising a regiment of cavalry for the war effort. After more discussion, the two met with New York Governor Edwin D. Morgan in Albany, and received authority to raise the regiment. It would serve for three years or the duration of the war. Returning to Rochester, the pair opened a recruiting office and secured the county fairgrounds and buildings for a barracks and training camp. Samuel J. Crooks, a native of Buffalo, had labored hard to raise the regiment from counties in western New York. Ten companies were formed and began drill. On the morning of November 21, Colonel Crooks received the marching orders for the unit, camped at the time at Camp Hillhouse. The orders were to proceed to Washington DC by way of Elmira and Harrisburg on the 26th. Horses had not yet been provided to the new recruits but were promised by the following week. It was noted in the Rochester Daily Union and Advertiser of November 22 that "the ladies of the Brick Church congregation have been engaged for a few days past making 'housewives' (sewing kits) for the soldiers,... and they have completed over six hundred, which have been presented through their pastor (Rev. Dr. J. B. Shaw) to Col. Crooks' Cavalry... it is believed that these little gifts will be very useful to the soldiers, when away from home and in camp." It was also noted in the article that "a lady of upward of eighty years... presented to Col. Crooks a 'housewife,' designed especially for him, which he most thankfully accepted. This venerable lady has two nephews in the Federal army, and takes a lively interest in the cause of the Union." The regiment was officially mustered in on November 23. On the 28th, the regiment departed for Washington via the Genesee Valley Road. The "Union Blues," consisting of a band and a drum corps of young boys, dressed in Zouave uniforms, acted as escort for the troopers. The streets were thronged with well-wishers to witness the departure parade. About 4 pm the regiment made its appearance on foot, marching down St. Paul Street surrounded by a thick crowd, the band leading the way. The crowd was so enthralled that at least two people were run over and injured, one a small boy. Colonel Crooks was mounted, as well as the field officers. The over 800 men of the ten dismounted companies marched in platoons and reached the Genesee Valley Depot an hour later, where the soldiers boarded the train on that Thanksgiving Day amidst shouts of support. The regiment arrived at Washington on November 30 around 10 pm and were lodged in the Soldier's Retreat. The regiment had reached Baltimore earlier that morning and one soldier described the city as "a dreary looking place and very quiet." The troopers there saw the "bullet holes made by the noble Massachusetts men when they defended themselves against the secession mob" and hoped that "vengeance will yet be visited upon Baltimore for the outrage." At the station there, a young African-American boy climbed onto the train, asking to join their Company C. The men of the 8th called him "Friday." A member described him as "a bright little fellow, and says he wants to fight. He is a pet with the regiment already. He wears a haversack and canteen like other soldiers." Exhausted from their trip, the new recruits slept on the floor of the Retreat and were informed by the Commissary that over the past 12-hour period, over 9,000 troops had passed through and been fed by him. A great many recruits were in the city, being readied for war, and men of the 8th found friends and neighbors they hadn't seen since their training began. They would be encamped at Camp Selden, on Meridian Hill, two miles outside Washington for drill and instruction. The following week, the men of the regiment were informed that Rev. Dr. John H. Van Ingen, former rector of St. Paul's Church in Rochester, accepted the position of Chaplain and was leaving for Washington. The regiment experienced its first "casualties" soon upon arriving at Washington. Private Delafield Dwelley of Company E was ill with the measles when the unit departed Camp Hillhouse. Leaving the Washington hospital in a weak condition, 1st Lt. Frank Chamberlain accompanied the young recruit back to his Rushville, Yates County home, where Dwelley died a few hours after arrival. Dwelley was described as "an ambitious young man, possessed of a warm heart and the kindest regard for all around him." Chamberlain, who found on arrival that his home had accidentally been destroyed by fire the previous morning, returned to Rochester for two weeks to continue recruiting for the regiment. His company E, consisting of 94 members, still needed 10 more. On December 13, Private Elijah Demelet, a member of Company C, died in the Kalorama Hospital in Georgetown of acute bronchitis. Demelet was from Williamson in Wayne County. Dr. James Chapman, regimental surgeon, would soon come under controversy. One soldier referred to his facilities as the "humbug hospital," and Chapman was forced to resign under threat of being removed due to improper treatment of the ailing. Chaplain Van Ingen took temporary charge of the hospital. Van Ingen went to Washington, obtained several ambulances, and removed all the sick to the nearby Columbia Hospital for proper treatment. In all, 22 soldiers, most suffering from typhoid fever, were taken to new quarters, and Van Ingen was highly praised for his tireless efforts. Dr. Backus of Rochester, in February 1862, was requested to go to Washington to assume the post of surgeon. Upon arriving, however, and considering the situation, Backus declined the post. The less-than-competent Colonel Crooks tendered his resignation from command of the regiment, to take effect on February 17. Crooks subsequently enlisted as a private in the 33rd New York Infantry. Lt. Colonel Charles R. Babbitt was placed in temporary command. New York Governor Morgan, the following month, appointed Captain Alfred Gibbs of the 34th United States Cavalry, a native of Rochester, to take command. On the appointment Gibbs was elevated to the rank of Colonel. The regiment remained in Washington as part of the force in defense of the Capital until March 9, 1862. Not yet being mounted or "properly armed," the men of the 8th had felt neglected, even hearing rumors that they were to be disbanded, or given the choice of joining infantry units. Apparently the military authorities were of the opinion that they were getting more cavalry than what was needed. The regiment wouldn't even receive its carbines until early 1863. Until then, they toted the obsolete "Hall" model. On March 9, the regiment broke camp at Washington and was placed on guard along the upper Potomac from Edward Ferry to Point of Rocks. On April 6th, the men were ordered to Harper's Ferry and guarded the railroad from there to Winchester until May 24. The men had to fall back to Harper's Ferry during Union General Nathaniel P. Banks' retreat from Confederate General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson's Corps. Five companies (A, B, C, D, and H) of the regiment had previously been sent up the Potomac to guard bridges on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. The companies had been ordered to Winchester VA as part of the reinforcements for General Banks' 5th Corps. Lt. Colonel Babbitt was in command of the detachment when it was engaged in its first fight with elements of Jackson's infantry.