On August 3, 1861, Colonel John C. Lemmon received authority from the War Department to recruit this regiment. In September 1861, recruiting power was turned over to the State of New York who assumed enrollment efforts. It was organized at Elmira where men enlisted for the Morgan Cavalry, joined it then disbanded. The regiment attained numerical designation on December 12, 1861 becoming the New York 10th Cavalry. Its companies were mustered in service to the Union for a three year period. While it was organized at Elmira, its companies were mustered in other cities in New York State; A at Syracuse on September 27, 1861, B,C,D,E,F,G at Elmira, December 28, 1861, I,K and L also at Elmira a few months earlier on October 29 and 30, 1861 along with M in November and November, December 1862 and January 1863, finishing the organization of the regiment. Following the end of the three year service term of the first eight companies, along with the men that comprised them, were discharged and the rest of the cavalry continued to serve.
The New York 10th's Cavalry was recruited from municipalities across the state. A at Syracuse, Victory, Jordan, McGrawville, Cincinnatus, Freetown, Cortland and Red Creek. Companies B,C,D,E,F,G, and H at Buffalo and Elmira; I at Johnstown, Broadalbin, Mayfield, North Hampton, and Perth; K at Coventry, McDonough, Oxford, Greene, Sherburne, Unadilla and Preston; L at Buffalo, Cuyler, Cortland, Lyons, Persia, Pitcher, Virgil and Taylor; M at Buffalo, Otto, Fretown, German, Oxfrod, Pitcher, Niagara Falls, Virgil, Lapeer, West Sparta and Cortland. The eight companies making up this regiment left New York on Christmas Eve, 1861 and served at major battles such as Gettysburg, PA in 1863. They also served as reinforcements in the Union forces. From March 1862, in the Middle Department, the 8th Corps gaurded railroads to protect supply transfers from August 1862; in defense of Washington D.C.,. Company L performed guard, courier and escort dutieds for Genneral Smith and his officer staff at the battle of Frederickburg. They also served in Gregg's Cavalry Brigade, Army of the Potomac, from February 1863, in the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac from June 1863, serving with the 12th Corps from June 22-27, 1863; in the 2nd Brigade of the same division from August 1863; Company K served as escort alongside headquarters, 2nd Corps in September 1863; and Company M from September to December 1863; the regiment in the 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac from May 17, 1864.
The regiment, commanded by Col. Matthew H. Avery was consolidated on July 10, 1865, company with corresponding company with the 24th N.Y. Volunteer Cavalry ar Cloud's Mills, Virginina, and the consolidated force received designation, "1st Provisional Reginment N.Y. Volunteer Cavalry."
The above is taken from New York in the War of the Rebellion, 3rd ED. Frederick Phisterer. Albany, NY: J.B. LYON COMPANY, 1912, New York State Military Museum
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