Stories of the House: The Story of Rush's Lancers

Rush’s Lancers Regiment

Union Civil War Unit Raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The Rush’s Lancers Regiment was raised during August and September 1861 from companies raised in Philadelphia, Montgomery and Berks counties by Richard H. Rush, who had been authorized to do so by Governor Curtin. Rush was appointed Colonel of the regiment, with John H. M'Arthur as lieutenant colonel and C. Ross Smith and Robert Morris as majors. At the suggestion of Major George B. McClellan, the men were armed with Austrian lances. After several weeks of training in Philadelphia, the regiment was transferred to Washington, D.C., where it was assigned to the Cavalry Division of the Army of the Potomac. 

By Gettysburg Battlefield Commission. [Public domain or Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Engagements by the Rush’s Lancer’s Unit in the Civil War

The regiment served with the army during the Peninsula Campaign and Maryland Campaign, skirmishing many times but seeing no heavy fighting. During the Battle of Fredericksburg, it served as the provost guard for the Center Grand Division's rear. It was absent during the Battle of Chancellorsville, participating instead in Stoneman's Raid.

In the May 1863, the regiment was rearmed with Sharps carbines and assigned to the Reserve Brigade of the 1st Cavalry Division.

Rush’s Lancers Cavalry Charge at Gettysburg

Rush’s Lancers fought in the Gettysburg Campaign and was part of General Wesley Merritt’s Cavalry Charge across the Houghtelin Farm, now Battlefield Bed & Breakfast. This action took place at the same time as Pickett’s Charge. The cavalry was not successful in breaking through the Confederate infantry line, but did succeed in holding the attention of the infantry to prevent them from joining the center of the infantry charge further north on the Emmitsburg Road.

In 1863, Rush’s Lancers also fought in the Mine Run Campaign. The following year it fought in the Overland Campaign and Sheridan's Valley Campaign among the Valley Campaigns of 1864. In September, the regiment's original enlistments expired, and the unit was reorganized for an additional three years. Following the Appomattox Campaign, it was ordered to Washington, D.C., where it was consolidated with the 1st Pennsylvania Cavalry and 17th Pennsylvania Cavalry to form the 2nd Pennsylvania Provisional Cavalry. The combined regiment was sent to Louisville, Kentucky, where it was mustered out in August 1865. 

The Rush’s Pennsylvania Lancers room commemorates this storied unit.