6th New York Cavalry - Gettysburg Brigade Commander - NEW

Item CDV-11615

Description

Thomas C. Devin
6^th New York Cavalry
 
He was a militia officer - rising to Lieutenant Colonel of the First New York State Militia Cavalry. He led an independent Company of Cavalry, a 90-day Volunteer unit he raised, and in July 1861 he was appointed Captain in the 1^st New York Cavalry. At age 38 he enrolled in New York City on 15 November and mustered as Colonel of the 6^th New York Cavalry on 18 November 1861.
 
He was in command of a detachment (8 companies) of his Regiment as escort and advance guard of the Ninth Corps. 

They were at South Mountain on the 14^th of September 1862 in support of Campbell's Battery, and crossed Antietam Creek early on the 16th to scout the Confederate line, taking artillery fire near the Lower Bridge on that mission. On the 17^th they were stationed near and below the Bridge opposite the Confederate Cavalry at that end of the field.
 
He commanded the 2^nd Brigade/1^st Division/Cavalry Corps at Chancellorsville, Beverly Ford, and with distinction under Brigadier General Buford on the first day at Gettysburg. He was on the raid on Richmond, in the Shenandoah Valley campaign, at Front Royal, where he was wounded, Winchester, Fisher's Hill, and Cedar Creek, VA. In October 1864 he was appointed Brigadier General of Volunteers and led the First Division of the Cavalry Corps to Five Forks, and on the rest of the Appomattox campaign. He was honored by brevet to Major General of Volunteers in March 1865 for his war service and mustered out on 15 January 1866.
 
He was appointed Lieutenant Colonel of the 8^th United States Cavalry (Regular Army) on 28 July 1866 and promoted to Colonel, 3^rd US Cavalry on 25 June 1877. He was still in service when he died at home on 4 April 1878.
 
Born 12/10/1822; New York, NY
 
Died 04/04/1878; New York, NY; burial in Calvary Cemetery, Woodside, Queens, NY
 
 
Source: Wikipedia