page_title: 5th New York Cavalry Regiment
section_title: Opequon
hierarchical_section_title: 5th New York Cavalry Regiment / Sheridan / Opequon
caption_attribution_description: English: General John B. McIntosh, Colonel of 3rd PA Cavalry and commander of 1st Brigade of Custer's Third Division of Sheridan's Civil War Army of the Shenandoah.
context_page_description: The 5th New York Cavalry Regiment, also known as the 5th Regiment New York Volunteer Cavalry and nicknamed the "1st Ira Harris Guards", was a cavalry regiment of the Union Army during the American Civil War. The regiment had a good fighting reputation, and had important roles in the Battle of Hanover and the Battle of the Wilderness. It was present at nearly 175 battles and skirmishes, including Gettysburg, Opequon, and Cedar Creek. A majority of its fighting was in Virginia.
  The regiment was formed in New York City by Othniel De Forest. Training began in New York before the regiment moved to Annapolis, Maryland. John Hammond and Abram H. Krom provided much of the unit's on-field leadership. Both began as captains and finished their military careers as commander of the regiment. The regiment was originally involved with the defense of Washington, and subsequently served in the Army of the Potomac and then the Army of the Shenandoah.
  The regiment had 8 officers and 93 men killed or mortally wounded. Disease killed 3 more officers and 222 more enlisted men.
context_section_description: The Battle of Opequon, also known as the Third Battle of Winchester, is considered the most important American Civil War battle in the Shenandoah Valley. Over 54,000 men (both sides together) participated in this Union victory on September 19, and casualties for both sides totaled to over 8,600. Confederate forces had two generals killed and several others wounded such as Fitzhugh Lee. Union forces has one general killed and several others wounded. The commander of the entire Union Army in this battle was Major General Philip Sheridan, and his cavalry was led by Major General Alfred T. A. Torbert. Brigadier General James H. Wilson led Torbert's 3rd Division. Brigadier General John B. McIntosh led Wilson's First Brigade until he was seriously wounded, and then it was led by Lieutenant Colonel George A. Purington. Both the 5th New York and 2nd New York cavalries were part of the First Brigade. The 2nd New York, followed by the 5th New York, led the initial advance in this battle. The 5th New York Cavalry made five charges, including four against infantry. General McIntosh led a dismounted charge and was wounded—causing his left leg to be amputated below the knee. Company C's Captain Charles J. Farley also needed his leg amputated after receiving a wound while rallying his men. Casualties for the regiment were 2 officers and 11 enlisted men wounded, and 2 enlisted men killed and 2 captured. After the main fight, the regiment spent the next few days pursuing Confederates while having few casualties.
caption: Gen. McIntosh
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