20th Pennsylvania Cavalry

The 20th Pennsylvania Cavalry (181st Volunteers) was a United States Cavalry regiment in the American Civil War. They were raised in Harrisburg and Philadelphia in 1863. They were commissioned for six months service. Most companies were sent to do guard duty. Soldiers such as Daniel Ernest were recruited in areas such as Perry County. Ernest would later join the 208th Pennsylvania volunteer Infantry and would suffer a slight wound at the Battle of Petersburg. They followed up Robert E. Lee's army of Northern Virginia after the Battle of Gettysburg. They managed to capture a few soldiers, horses, and supplies. They were in the Battle of Berkeley Springs and suffered a loss of 20 prisoners. They fought and lost at the Battle of Lynchburg. By January 7 they were formally discharged.