Silver Identification Disc of Ira Ryerson Co. C 4 N.Y. Cavalry / SOLD
Silver Identification Disc of Ira Ryerson Co. C 4 N.Y. Cavalry - Inventory Number: IDE 165 / SOLD
This regiment was one of the hardest fought cavalry regiments of the American civil war, participating in over 150 engagements!
This “War of 1861” style badge was beautifully jeweler engraved, the boarder is chases with an accented wiggle-work design. Excavated near aldie, where the 4th Cavalry had suffered great loss. During the Gettysburg Campaign, the 4' New York Cav, was heavily engaged at Aldie, Upperville, Culpepper Court House, and Racoon Ford. They pursued Lee's Army after Gettysburg and in 1864 participated in General Sheridan's Trevilian Raid. All together this regiment took part in nearly 150 battles and skirmishes.
The pin is in excellent condition for being excavated. The original pin and clasp are no longer present and appear intentional so that it could be mounted to another surface.
Ira Ryerson
Residence was not listed; 20 years old.
Enlisted on 10/28/1861 at New York City, NY as a Private.
On 10/28/1861 he mustered into "G" Co. NY 4th Cavalry
He was Mustered Out on 11/16/1864 at Winchester, VA
Intra Regimental Company Transfers:
* from company G to company F
NEW YORK FOURTH CAVALRY (Three Years)
Fourth Cavalry.-Cols., Christian F. Dickel, Louis P. Di Cesnola; Lieut.-Cols., Ferrier Nazer, Augustus Pruyn, William R. Parnell; Majs., Baron Anton Von Pueehelstein, August Haurand, Augustus Pruyn, William R. Parnell, Edward Schwartz.
This regiment, known also as the 1st German cavalry, Dickel's Mounted Rifles and the Lincoln Greens, was organized in New York city, and was mustered into the U. S. service from Aug. 10 to Nov. 15, 1861, for three years. Co. K was mustered in on Nov. 15, 1862; Co. L in Dec., 1862; and Co. M Feb. 13, 1863.
The regiment was recruited principally at New York city and Brooklyn, with one company from Cleveland, Ohio, and one from Philadelphia, Pa. A considerable number of the original members reenlisted for three years in the winter of 1863-64, those whose terms had expired being discharged.
The veterans and recruits were organized as a battalion of four companies, F, K, L and M, and continued in the service. March 29, 1865, the battalion, commanded by Maj. Schwartz, was transferred to the 9th cavalry as Cos. B, E and L. The regiment, consisting of only eight companies and numbering about 700 men, left the state on Aug. 29, 1861, and was assigned to Blenker's division.
During 1862 it was repeatedly engaged with the enemy serving with the 5th corps, in the Mountain Department, in the cavalry brigade of the 1st corps, Army of Virginia, and in the cavalry brigade, 1st division, 11th corps, Army of the Potomac. It was active at Harrisonburg, Cross Keys, Port Republic, New Market, in Pope's Virginia campaign, fighting at the Rapidan river, Waterloo bridge, Bristoe Station, Salem and White Plains, Groveton, Bull Run, Centerville, Ashby's gap, Berryville, Snicker's gap, Charlestown and Kellysville.
The regiment opened the battle of Cross Keys, successfully resisting several charges by the enemy, saving Schirmer's battery from capture, and killing the Confederate Gen. Ashby. Together with the 2nd Mich cavalry, it made the only cavalry charge during the second battle of Bull Run, checked the enemy's advance, and saved many from capture.
Col. Dickel resigned on Sept. 10, 1862, and Col. Di Cesnola received his commission the next day. During 1863 it served in the 1st and 2nd brigades, 2nd cavalry division, in the 1st brigade, 3d cavalry division, and in the 2nd brigade, 1st cavalry division, Army of the Potomac. It was heavily engaged during this period at Aldie, Upperville, Culpeper Court House and Raccoon ford, and participated in many other important battles during the year.
It joined in the pursuit of Lee's army after the battle of Gettysburg, and shared in the subsequent campaigns in Virginia, ending with the fruitless Mine Run campaign. In 1864 it served with the Army of the Potomac, detached from the cavalry corps at the beginning of Grant's campaign in the spring, but rejoined the corps towards the end of May.
In Oct., 1864, it became a part of the Army of the Shenandoah. During the year it took part in all the engagements of the Wilderness campaign; participated in Gen. Sheridan's Trevilian raid, meeting with a loss of 48 killed, wounded and missing at Trevilian Station; was active in the operations before Petersburg; sustained a loss of 25 in killed, wounded and missing at Front Royal; and in Sheridan's campaign in the Shenandoah Valley in the autumn, was active at the Opequan, Fisher's hill and many other important battles.
Altogether, the regiment took part in nearly 150 battles and skirmishes and was frequently praised by its commanding generals. After one of the brilliant charges of the regiment at Aldie, Gen. Kilpatrick took off his saber and presented it to the intrepid Col. Di Cesnola.
In a third charge Di Cesnola's horse was shot from under him and he was captured. For gallantry displayed in the capture of the colors of the 3d Va., at Front Royal, Sergt. Harry J. Mandy and Pvt. Frank Leslie were awarded medals of honor by Congress.
While in service the 4th lost 5 officers and 52 enlisted men killed in action and died of wounds; 3 officers and 54 men died of disease, accident and all other causes; a total loss by death of 8 officers and 106 men 14 of whom died in prison. The portion of the regiment still in service at the close of the war were mustered out as part of the 9th cav., at Cloud's mills, Va., July 17, 1865. (See 9th N. Y. Cav.)
Comes housed in a riker display case with blue velvet and descriptive card.
Inventory Number: IDE 165 / SOLD