History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, by Samuel P. Bates.

EIGHTIETH REGIMENT,
SEVENTH OAYVALRY.
THE authority to raise this regiment was given on the 27th of August,
1861., to William B. Sipes, of Philadelphia, by the Hon. Simon Cameron,
Secretary of War. Companies A and F were recruited in Schuylkill county,
B in Lycoming and Tioga, C in Tioga and Bradford, D in Northumberland and
Montour, E in Clinton and Centre, G in Chester, H in Montour and Luzerne, I
in Dauphin, K in Cumberland, L in Berks, and M in Allegheny. The companies were recruited, for the most part, by their officers and at their expense, the
grade of their commissions depending, as a general rule, upon their success in
securing men. Their military experience was in general limited to the three
months' service. The companies rendezvoused at Camp Cameron, near Harrisburg, where a regimental organization was effected, and the following field
officers were commissioned: George C. Wynkoop, of Pottsville, Colonel William B. Sipes, of Philadelphia, Lieutenant Colonel; James J. Seibert, of Philadelphia, James Given, of West Chester, and John E. Wynkoop, of Pottsville,
Majors. Colonel Wynkoop had been connected with the State militia, as
an officer of cavalry, for more than twenty years, had served as Brigadier
General of Volunteers in the three months' service, and it was by the active
exertions of Lieutenant Colonel Sipes, who had little military experience beyond that of the three months' service, that he was selected to lead the regiment. Clothing was promptly issued to the men upon entering camp, and the
regiment was regularly exercised in dismounted drill. Side arms were received
while at Camp Cameron, and horses were supplied, but not issued until after
leaving it.
On the 18th of December, the colors were presented by Governor Curtin,
from the steps of the State Capitol, and on the following day, in pursuance of
orders from the Secretary of War, the regiment started for Louisville, Kentucky, where, upon its arrival, it reported to General Buell, in command of the
Department of the Cumberland, and was placed in camp of instruction at Jeffersonville, Indiana. Belgian Bifles were issued, but were soon after condemned and turned in, and subsequently the Smith and Burnside carbines were
given.
Towards the close of January, 1862, the regiment broke camp, and, moving
leisurely southward, through Kentucky, arrived at Nashville, Tennessee, soon
after its occupation by Union forces. Here the three battalions were separated,
the first, under ajor iWynkoop, being assigned to General Negley's Brigade,
and sent with him to Columbia; the second, undor Colonel Wynkoop, to the
command of General Dumont, garrisoning Nashville; and the third, under
ajor Given, to Colone l Duffields command, two companies being stationed