Originally mustered into service as the 130th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment it was converted to cavalry on July 28, 1863, and designated as the 19th Regiment New York Volunteer Cavalry.

The 19th Cavalry was officially re-designated as the 1st Regiment of Dragoons on September 10, 1863.

[1] The term dragoon generally refers to mounted infantry or light cavalry.

[2] After marching in the Grand Review at Washington D.C. at the close of the Civil War, the Dragoons were mustered out of service at Cloud’s Mills, Virginia, on June 30, 1865.

Two enlisted men and one officer of the 1st New York Dragoons were awarded the Medal of Honor for gallantry during the Civil War.