3rd United States Colored Cavalry Regiment

3rd United States Colored Cavalry Regiment 1st Mississippi Cavalry (African Descent)
Sgt. Samuel Smith, African-American soldier with family
Active	11 Mar. 1864 – 26 Jan. 1866
Country	United States
Allegiance	Union
Branch	Union Army
Type	Cavalry
Size	Regiment
Engagements	American Civil War Action at Bayou Boeuf (1863) Battle of Yazoo City (1864) Action at Roach's Plantation (1864) Yazoo City expedition (1864) Action near Jackson (1864) Action at Vaughan's Station (1864) Battle of Egypt Station (1864)
Commanders
Notable commanders	Embury D. Osband Jeremiah B. Cook

The 3rd United States Colored Cavalry was a regiment in the United States Army organized as one of the units of the United States Colored Troops during the American Civil War. The regiment was originally formed in October 1863 at Vicksburg, Mississippi as the 1st Mississippi Cavalry Regiment (African Descent). The unit soon began taking part in expeditions near Vicksburg. In February–March 1864, the regiment saw action at Yazoo City. After being renamed the 3rd U.S. Colored Cavalry in March 1864, the regiment continued to participate in raids, including the Yazoo City expedition in May. In December 1864, the unit took part in a successful raid led by Benjamin Grierson during which the Battle of Egypt Station and other actions were fought. The regiment operated near Memphis, Tennessee, until April 1865, after which it returned to Vicksburg for occupation duties. The soldiers were mustered out of federal service in January 1866.