18th Cavalry Regiment
Civil War
Corning Light Cavalry

History
The following is taken from New York in the War of the Rebellion, 3rd ed. Frederick Phisterer. Albany: J. B. Lyon Company, 1912.

Left the State in detachments: September 26, 1863 to January 1864
Mustered out: May 31, 1866.

May 11, 1863, Col. James J. Byrne received authority to recruit the Corning Light Infantry; June 24, 1863, the designation Infantry was changed to Cavalry. The regiment was organized in New York city for a service of three years. October 22, 1863, the men enlisted by Lieut. Cyrus Payne for the 16th Cavalry were assigned to this regiment. The companies were mustered in the service of the United States at Staten Island, A and B July 18th and 19th, respectively; C, D, E and F August I2th, 25th, I5th and 31st, respectively; G and H October 13th and 31st, respectively; at Fort Columbus, New York harbor, I December 2, 1863, and at Elmira, K, L and M in January, 1864. June 12, 1865, the I4th N. Y. Volunteer Cavalry, joined by transfer, and Companies L and M were consolidated with the other companies of the regiment.

The companies were recruited, principally: A, B, D, E and F at New York city; C at Albany and New York city; G at New York city, Albany, Poughkeepsie and Troy; H at New York city, Cazenovia and Watertown; I at New York city, Albany, Cape Vincent and Buffalo; K at New York city, Alexandria and Cape Vincent; L and M at Alexandria, Albany, Columbia, Massena, Mannheim, Pamelia, Watertown and Winfield.

Companies A, B, C, D, E and F left the State September 26, 1863, commanded by Maj. Edward Byrne; G and H October 23, and I and K December 13, 1863; Companies L and M left in January, 1864; the regiment served in the defenses of Washington, D. C., 22d Corps; from February 22, 1864, in the Department of the Gulf; in the 5th Cavalry Brigade, from March, 1864; at La Fourche, La., from June, 1864 (Companies A and F, detached, in Texas from June to November, 1864) ; in January, 1865, dismounted; at Bonnet Carre, La., from March, 1865; in 1st Brigade, 2d Division, Military Division, W. Mississippi, from May, 1865; in Texas from November, 1865.

Commanded by Colonel Byrne, the regiment was honorably discharged and mustered out May 31, 1866, at Victoria, Tex., having lost by death during its service, killed in action, 1 officer, 8 enlisted men; of wounds received in action, 6 enlisted men; of disease and other causes, 2 officers, 202 enlisted men; total, 3 officers, 216 enlisted men; aggregate, 219; of whom 11 enlisted men died in the hands of the enemy. The regiment lost drowned, 1 officer, 23 enlisted men, by the foundering of the steamer North America December 22, 1864.

Battles and Casualties Table from Phisterer

Civil War Newspaper Clippings

18th Cavalry Flank Markers

18th Cavalry Standard

Muster Roll

Unit Roster

Further Reading
This is meant to be a comprehensive list. If, however, you know of a resource that is not listed below, please send an email to ng.ny.nyarng.list.historians@mail.mil with the name of the resource and where it is located. This can include photographs, letters, articles and other non-book materials. Also, if you have any materials in your possession that you would like to donate, the museum is always looking for items specific to New York's military heritage. Thank you.

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