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

SEVENTIETH -REGIMENT,
SIXTH CAVALRY.
ON the 27th of July, 1861, Richard H. Rush, of Philadelphia, a graduate of
the Military Academy at West Point, and late a captain of artillery in
the regular army, received authority from the War Department to recruit a
volunteer regiment for three years' service. Recruiting stations were immediately opened in different parts of the city, and on the 3d of September a camp
was established on Second street, known as Camp Meigs. On the 7th dismounted drills were commenced, on the 20th the first horses were received, and
on the 25th mounted drills. With the exception of company G, which was
recruited in Berks county, and a few squads brought in from different parts of
the State, the men were from Philadelphia. The following were the field officers: Richard Henry Rush, Colonel; John H. M'Arthur, Lieutenant Colonel;
C. Ross Smith, 1st Major; Robert Morris, Jr., 2d Major.
In recruiting the regiment the officers received substantial aid from prominent citizens of Philadelphia, and on the 30th of October, a stand of colors
and a set of guidons, a gift from ladies of Germantown, were presented at the
hands of William Rotch Wistar, Esq. The companies were supplied with
clothing, camp, and garrison equipage, from the United States Depot in Philadelphia, and the men armed, at first, with Colt's army pistols and light cavalry
sabres. Subsequently General M'Clellan suggested that the regiment be armed
with the lance, and the suggestion was accepted by a vote of the officers. This
weapon was new to our service. The Austrian pattern was adopted. It was
nine feet long, with an eleven inch, three edged blade; the staff was Norway
fir, about one and a quarter inches in diameter, with ferule and counterpoise
at the heel, and a scarlet swallow-tailed pennon, the whole weighing nearly five
pounds. Subsequently twelve carbines to a company was added to its arms
for picket and scout duty. On the 4th of December, the State colors were presented by Governor Curtin, in the midst of imposing ceremonies. The regiment paraded on the occasion on the streets of Philadelphia, and attracted
much attention. The lance was new and highly burnished, and the scarlet
pennon, bright and attractive; the new uniforms, and tidy appearance of the
men, and the well groomed and trained horses, made it a beautiful and imposing pageant. The presentation was made in a large field, near the Odd Fellows' Cemetery, on Islington Lane. Five regiments of infantry, and this of
cavalry, participated in the parade, and received their colors on this occasion.
His Excellency, surrounded by his staff, and distinguished officers of the State
and National government, and of the army and navy, made an eloquent and
patriotic speech, which was responded to by the commanding officers as they
received the flags.