Site hosted by Angelfire.com: Build your free website today!

17th Cavalry 2nd State Standard, April 1865
Made by Horstmann & Co., Philadelphia.

Richard W. Moll
17th PA Cavalry, Company "E"

Private Richard W. Moll (b: 1845 d: 2 December 1864, 5th Gen) enlisted in the 17th PA Cavalry, Company "E" on August 23rd, 1864. His enlistment was for a period of one year.

Richard Moll was born in Perry Township, Berks County, PA. He was the son of George (b: 5 Aug 1816, d: 1 Mar 1876, 4th Gen) and Susanna (Unger) Moll (b: 28 Jan 1843, d: 27 Dec 1861). George Moll was a farmer. He moved his family to Bethel Township, PA about 1850. Susanna Moll died on 27 Dec 1861.

Richard had the following brothers and sisters:

Richard W. Moll enlisted in Philadelphia on August 23rd, 1864. He was 19 years old and he listed his occupation on his enlistment papers as a farmer. Richard was 5' 9", having a fair complexion, dark grey eyes and brown hair. He was enlisted by Captain Lehrman.




Remainaints of the Company "E" guidon, shredded by bullets and cannon shrapnel at the battle of Chancellorville, VA, May 2, 1863. The flag was found on the battlefield by a civilian and remained in private hands until the 1960's, until it was sold at auction. It now is on display at Motts Military Museum, Groveport OH
In July, 1862 President Abraham Lincoln called for 3 Regiments of Cavalry from Pennsylvania & the 17th Pa was one of them. By Nov,1862 the Unit was mustered, commanded by Col Josiah Kellogg ( a Mexican War Veteran ) and drilling near Washington City.

The majority of the members of the 17th Pennsylvania Cavalry hailed from central Pa ( Co E from Lebanon) and yet Co L was from Montgomery & Chester Counties and there were boys in Co I from Philadelphia Pa.

In August, 1864, General Philip H. Sheridan was ordered to command the Army of the Shenandoah. With him, went elements of his old command, including the 17th Pennsylvania Cavalry. At that time, Major Reinhold, Major of the 17th Pennsylvania Cavalry, was honorably discharged, and was succeeded by Captain Weidner H. Spera. On the 11th of August 1864, the Regiment moved toward Newtown, engaging the Southern forces. When stiff resistance was met, the Regiment made a charge which dislodged the Confederates. On the 16th of August, the Regiment was engaged at Front Royal.

The 17th PA was next engaged at Kearnysville on the 25th of August 1864. Near Shepherdstown, the 17th Pennsylvania Cavalry made a charge against the forces that had attacked General Georeg A. Custer, in a successful attempt to relieve his column. For the next several weeks, almost constant skirmishing ensued, with the Regiment being engaged at Smithfield on the 29th, White Post on the 1st of September 1864, the Berryville and Buncetown crossing of the Opequon on the 7th of September, and at Bunker Hill on the 13th of September.


Stephenson's Depot, Virginia
Site of Richard W. Moll's death, 16 November 1864
(Photo taken December, 2002)

General Sheridan then went on the offensive. With the 17th Pennsylvania leading the charge, he made his attack upon General Jubal A. Early’s forces. General Sheridan reported that:

"I attacked the forces of General Early over the Berryville Pike, at the crossing of the Opequon Creek, and after a most desperate engagement, which lasted from early in the morning until five o’clock in the evening, completely defeated him, driving him back through Winchester and capturing about two thousand five hundred prisoners, five pieces of artillery, nine battle flags, and most of their wounded."

After the battle, the Regiment was ordered to report to Colonel Edwards, the Post commander at Winchester. There, they were employed in guarding against the actions of guerillas, and charged with keeping open lines of communication and supplies. On the 15th of October 1864, a detachment of the 17th Pennsylvania Cavalry, under Major Spera, was the escort of General Sheridan to the front, thus earning a place for the Regiment in the famous "Sheridan's Ride." On the 27th, the Regiment rejoined the Division.

Until winter would set in, the regiment would be engaged in numerous skirmishes and battles in Virginia. Returning to Winchester for winter quarters, the troopers were employed in picket and scouting duties, with occasional detachments being sent out against roving bands of the enemy.

Private Richard W. Moll was wounded in action at Stevenson's Depot, Va. on 16 November 1864, most likely in a Confederate guerilla attack. He was then transferred to a field hospital at Winchester Virginia. On December 2nd, 1864, he died from his wounds in the hospital.

He is buried in the National Cemetery at Winchester, VA, lot 17.


Grave of Private Richard W. Moll
National Cemetary, Winchester, VA
(Photo taken December, 2002)


Engagements

Fought on 23 August 1864 at Kearneysville, VA.
Fought on 23 August 1864 at Shepherdstown, WV.
Fought on 24 August 1864 at Kearneysville, VA.
Fought on 25 August 1864 at Kearneysville, VA.
Fought on 25 August 1864 at Shepherdstown, WV.
Fought on 25 August 1864 at Shepherdstown,VA.
Fought on 27 August 1864 at Leetown, VA.
Fought on 29 August 1864 at Smithfield, VA.
Fought on 07 September 1864 at Opequan, VA.
Fought on 16 September 1864 at Raccoon Ford, VA.
Fought on 19 September 1864 at Opequan, VA.
Fought on 24 September 1864 at Berryville, VA.
Fought on 29 September 1864 at Fisher's Hill, VA.
Fought on 01 October 1864 at Fisher's Hill, VA.
Fought on 11 October 1864 at Newtown, VA.
Fought on 16 November 1864 at Stevenson's Depot, VA.


After the war, George Moll remarried, Marrying Caroline (maiden name unknown). He died on 1 Mar 1876.

Alfred Moll (b: 7 July 1843, d: 25 June 1916, 5th Gen) served in the 151st PA Volunteers. There is much information about his life on his regiment's webpage.

Lehman H. Moll in 1930 was living in Reading, PA. He married Ida B. Moll (b: 1860) in 1895, He is listed as being a saleman in a drug store. No other information is known about him.


View from Richard W. Moll's gravesite
National Cemetary, Winchester, VA
(Photo taken December, 2002)