Notes for Patrick J Carey

Family Group Sheet

Notes for Patrick J Carey

BIO:Mr. Carey was fourteen years old when his parents moved from New York to Minnesota, and, for a number of years, he worked with his father on the farm and attended the common schools. When still a young man he returned to New York, and in 1859 enlisted in Company E, Second Dragoons (now termed cavalrymen), regular army. After drilling at Carlisle Barracks for nearly a year, he was mustered into the service at Salt Lake in November, 1860. In 1861 his regiment crossed the Plains to Leavenworth, and was sent on to Washington, D. C. Mr. Carey served in a regular brigade throughout the Civil war under Generals Buford, Merritt and Pleasanton. He was in the battles of Bull Run, Manassas Gap, Manasseh, Gaines' Mill, Whitehouse Landing, Malvern Hill, Winchester and the famous Sheridan ride, the Wilderness, through the Maryland and Pennsylvania campaign to the battle of Gettysburg, and in other important engagements. He was wounded in the battle of the Wilderness and, while attempting to assist a wounded comrade named Wilsie from the field, was taken prisoner, May 8, 1864. After spending eleven months in the Richmond hospital and in prison, he was paroled and exchanged. He rejoined his company later at Winchester. In 1863 he was made a sergeant for meritorious conduct. During two years of his service he was field messenger, carrying dispatches from one commander to another, both on the field of battle and during encampments. At one time he captured a rebel spy and thirteen Confederates, who were temporarily housed in a building outside of Gen. Kilpatrick's lines, known as the "Ye How Tavern." The spy was clothed in the blue uniform and was addressed by the members of the party as "Major Jones," but proved to be a woman. Mr. Carey received his discharge at Winchester May 3, 1865, and went to Washington, D. C. where he was employed for a time in the Bureau of Freedmen under Gen: O. O. Howard.An Illustrated History of Klickitat, Yakima, and Kittitas Counties with an Outline of the State of Washington, Interstate Publishing Company, 1904.