Second Kentucky
Cavalry
Contributed by
Department of Kentucky, SUVCW, member
Tim Downey.
The two most noted points
where the first enlistments of Kentucky volunteers were made, were Camp
Dick
Robinson, and Camp Jo. Holt.
The former is mentioned in the account of the 1st.
Ky. Cavalry, and other regiments. Camp Jo. Holt is mentioned in the
account of
the 5th Ky. Infantry. It was established in July, 1861, on the Indiana
side of
the Ohio river, immediately opposite Louisville. At that time it was
thought
inconsistent with the neutrality of Kentucky to open a camp of
enlistment
within the borders of the state, consequently the volunteers from
Louisville
and vicinity assembled at Camp Jo. Holt. They were at first under the
general
leadership of Gen. Lovell H. Rousseau, and were in numbers sufficient
for the
formation of several separate organizations. One of these organizations
became
the 2d Ky. Cavalry. The officers prominent in the formation of this
regiment
were Col. Buckner Board, Lieut. Col. Thos. B. Cochran, and Maj. Thos.
P.
Nicholas. After the war Col. Cochran became the able and well known
chancellor
of the Louisville Chancery Court. Thos. P. Nicholas was the son of the
eminent
jurist of Kentucky, Judge S. S. Nicholas. The regiment was mustered
into
service September l, 1861 at Camp Jo. Holt, and at once took the field,
where
it remained on constant active duty, always at the front for almost
full four
years.
One of the captains in the
first organization was E. S. Watts, who later became
lieutenant-colonel, and
commanded the regiment during part of its career. From him the writer
has
obtained a statement from which the following quotation is made:
On the 17th of
September,
1861. Confederate Gen. Buckner had seized the Louisville &
Nashville
railroad and started for Louisville. At 9 o'clock that evening the
"long
roll" startled Camp Jo. Holt. The command broke camp and at midnight
marched to Jeffersonville; crossed on the ferry to Louisville where,
even at
that hour a large number of people had assembled on the streets,
peering into
faces, greeting acquaintances and bidding them good-bye. Taking trains
on the
Nashville railroad in the gray dawn, the command reached Lebanon
Junction in
the early forenoon. Leaving the cars, the troops were formed on the
right of
the bridge just burned, and still smoking. There for the first time
they loaded
their muskets.
Prompt action in
sending
Rousseau's command to the front and the celerity with which it was
accomplished
prevented the march to, and occupation of the city of Louisville by the
Confederates. Some weeks were spent at Muldraugh's Hill guarding the
trestles
south of Colesburg, and in the advance to Elizabethtown, to Camp Nevin
and Camp
Wood.
In that time the
2d
Cavalry with two additional companies, Capt. Craddock's and Capt.
McCullough's,
assigned to it, was fully organized and mounted, and armed with sabre
and
revolver, still retaining the muskets drawn at Camp Jo. Holt.
The officers at that time
were: Col. Buckner Board, Lieut.-Col. Thomas B. Cochran, Maj. Thos. P.
Nicholas, Adjt. Geo. W. Griffith, Capts. E. S. Watts, H. E. Collins, H.
G.
Thomas, J. J. Craddock, O. T. Booth, E. J. Mitchell, M. R. McCullough,
T. C.
Wiley and A. C. Van Dyke. During the winter, while at Camp Wood, two
other
companies joined, commanded by Lieut. J. Griswold and Capt. M. Bateman.
In the month of January,
1862, the men suffered with sickness, incident to exposure in camp. In
February
and March they were employed in scouting, and on guard duty along the
railroad,
being assigned to McCook's Division of Buell's Army.
The 2d Cavalry accompanied
Buell's army from Nashville to Pittsburgh Landing, taking part in the
second
day's battle, and following in pursuit of the Confederates to Corinth.
During
the engagement, Capt. John W. Wickliffe, of Company A, served on the
staff of
Gen. Rousseau, who compliments him in his report for his efficient
service on
the field.
During the spring and summer
of 1862 the 2d Cavalry was on constant duty with Buells' army in all it
operations in Tennessee and Alabama. So active was it, that the
reports,
instead of locating it, only mention its being in the field. When
Buell's army
entered upon its march to Kentucky, the 2d moved with it, being engaged
in
scouting and reconnoitering and skirmishing with the enemy. One of the
incidents which occurred at the beginning of that march was moving to
Bowling
Green with Gen. Sooy Smith's command, making its way through the
enemy's lines
in doing so. Reaching Louisville in September, the 2d Cavalry advanced
from
thence, when the movement against Bragg commenced, October 1st. It led
the way
out the Bardstown turnpike, and soon began skirmishing with the enemy's
cavalry. One of these skirmishes was at Hay's Spring, 10 miles from
Louisville,
and another at Mt. Washington. Moving on to Perryville, it had several
encounters. Near Bardstown in a charge upon the enemy it suffered
severely in
killed and wounded, and in a counter charge, Maj. Watts, Capt. Bateman
and
Lieut. Arthur were captured.
Reaching Perryville October
8th, it participated in that battle, and its services are honorably
mentioned
in the reports, particularly those of Gens. McCook and Rousseau. From
Perryville the 2d engaged in the pursuit of Bragg, scouting and
skirmishing. It
then marched to Nashville, performing guard duty on the way.
The battle of Murfreesboro
occurred on December 31st and January 1st and 2d. At that time the 2d
was in
command of Col. Nicholas, and was in Gen. R. S. Granger's division, it
was
severely engaged, and suffered serious losses. Among the killed was
Capt.
McCullough.
Col. Nicholas continued in
command of the 2d for about a year. During the winter and spring of
1863, he
was on duty with Rosecran's army at Murfreesboro, being attached to the
14th
Army Corps. In that spring the cavalry corps was organized under Gen.
D. S.
Stanley, and the 2d was placed in Col. Eli. Long's brigade, of Crook's
division
in that corps. In the months following it was constantly at the front,
in daily
activity, moving from place to place in Tennessee and Alabama.
Col. Watts, in his narrative,
says:
June 23, 1863,
breaking
camp at Murfreesboro on a general movement of the army, the 2d Kentucky
moved
toward Manchester with the division. The following day the 2d Battalion
was detached
and ordered to report to Gen. Sheridan for duty, and during the
Tullahoma
campaign remained with him, being the first National troops to enter
Tullahoma;
meantime participating in constant work, scouting and skirmishing,
especially
at Elk river and Winchester, Tenn. At the same time the1st Battalion
had an
experience in an affair near Elk river. Lieut. W. G. Jenkins, a gallant
officer, being killed in action. The regiment reunited at Winchester,
Tenn.,
the division being under command or Gen. George Crook, and another
period of
camp life intervened, during which a stand of colors was presented to
the
regiment by the ladies of Newport, KY., under most happy auspices and
conditions.
Forward once again
in the
Chattanooga campaign; march to Stevenson and Bridgeport. The regiment
fording
Tennessee river in the dawn of morning, the horses swimming. Safely
over,
ascend Sand mountain; cross and descend the eastern face, charging into
Trenton. Ga., being the first Federal troops to reach that point;
return, again
ford the river. Reaching camp near Bridgeport, September 6th. Once
again ford
the river, in company with the division this time; cross the mountain
by
another pass, debouch into Will's valley, at Valley Head. On the 9th
ascend
Lookout mountain, cross it on the 10th and descend into Alpine, Ga.,
engaging
the enemy's cavalry with a loss of fourteen killed and wounded of the
2d Ky.,
but driving the enemy from the field. A vivid incident on the mountain
was the
murder of John Smith of Troop A, by a prowling Confederate soldier,
revenged by
burning the house and contents.
At Alpine much
scouting
and skirmishing: developing Bragg's position at Lafayette, when he was
supposed
to be retreating south. After this important discovery, moved 45 miles
to the
left wing of the army; a hasty retreat up the mountain by McCook's
corps,
followed by the cavalry, which halts at Doherty's Gap - the insection
of Pigeon
mountain with Lookout, where the cavalry arrived September14. On the
18th. at
Doherty's Gap, the cavalry were in sound of the guns in the preliminary
engagement between Thomas and Bragg. On the 19th it was much more
evident, the
distant guns announcing the opening of the battle of Chickamauga. At
noon an
order was received and hurried preparations and rapid march toward the
sound of
the guns, by way of McLemore's Cove; a night march, a short bivouac,
the march
resumed at daylight: arrived at 9 a. m. Under fire all morning of the
enemy's
outposts at Crawfish Springs, where Adjt. Griffiths was wounded. A
short halt and
again forward, a rocky road to the right through the Cedars. Met the 2d
Mich.
Cavalry coming back form line of battle on the brow of a hill with
orders to
protect the Chicago Board of Trade Battery, which unlimbered and
actively
engaged an the right of the 2d Cavalry. The determined onset of the
enemy up
through the field and woods to the left was met by the determined
resistance of
the 2d, until doubled hack on the left it was forced to retreat, but
not until
the battery was safe. This engagement cost the regiment 53 men killed
and
wounded.
The retreat was by
stages
to Chattanooga; across the Tennessee river to the north bank, two days'
rest,
march to Washington, Tenn.. guarding Cottonport and other fords,
forcible
crossing of Wheeler's Confederates, the hurried concentration of the
cavalry
division, the chase of Wheeler over two mountain ranges. The affair
near and
the charge of the 2d at McMinnville (called in the reports a brilliant
charge).
The death of the gallant Capt. Hosmer of Troop A, the march to
Murfreesboro,
thence to Shelbyville, the charge at and battle of Farmington, rout of
the
enemy and his escape across the Tennessee at Rogersville. Return of the
regiment to the army and assigned to duty with Gen. Jo. Hooker in
Lookout
Valley.
It would be difficult to add
to this graphic picture, but it is proper to say that in Gen. Crook's
report of
the operation of his cavalry division during the month of September,
1863, he
describes the various marches and encounters in the enemy country about
Chattanooga, and in the direction of Rome and Lafayette and Crawfish
Springs.
His force at Crawfish, he says, consisted of Col. Eli. Long's brigade
only, and
in the severe fight which occurred he states the loss of the 2d Ky.
Cavalry at
11 killed and 50 wounded, among the wounded being Adjt. Griffith,
Lieut. E. B.
Agers, Capt. Charles A. Zackary and Lieut. B. P. Brooks.
When Gen. Hooker stormed
Lookout mountain, November 25, 1863, the 2d Ky. Cavalry was on duty
guarding
Hooker's left flank in the valley, and when Gen. Grant's success was
complete
in storming Missionary Ridge, the 2d Cavalry was sent to the relief of
Knoxville, Tenn., where Gen. Burnside was besieged by Longstreet. Being
in Gen.
Eli. Long's brigade, it led the advance of Sherman's relieving column,
and
approached Knoxville from the direction of Maryville. The siege being
raised,
the 2d returned, and spent the winter at Bridgeport, Ala., Col. E. S.
Watts
being in command.
At that place the 2d
re-enlisted in the veteran organization, and was assigned to
Kilpatrick's
Division of Gen. Elliott's cavalry corps, organized for the opening of
the
Atlanta campaign of 1864. The 2d entered upon the first stages of this
campaign, taking part in the advance to Rocky Face, Ringgold, Buzzard
Roost,
Taylor's Ridge and Dalton. It was then ordered to Nashville, where it
reported
to Gen. Rousseau. This officer had been engaged in protecting the line
of the
railroad in Tennessee from the raids of Confederate cavalry, and was
directed
in July, 1864, to perform a most important duty. With a force of
cavalry,
including the 2d Ky., commanded then by Maj. Owen Starr, he proceeded
to
Decatur, Ala., and starting from thence July 10, 1864, he traversed 300
miles
in nine days, going as far south as Montgomery, destroying many miles
of railroad,
and large military stores, and depots of supplies. He proceeded 100
miles south
of Johnston's army, and safely joined Sherman in Georgia. The 2d
Cavalry
reached Marietta, July 23d. It then participated in another raid by
Gen.
McCook, and yet another by Gen. Kilpatrick, each time passing entirely
around
the Confederate army. These raids are historic, and space does not
admit of a
detail of them in this place.
After the fall of Atlanta,
the 2d Cavalry continued with Sherman's army, still being on active
duty,
through the months of September and October.
In November Gen. Sherman
prepared for his great march to the sea. The 2d Cavalry was chosen
among others
to accompany that movement. With the cavalry force it led the way
through to
Savannah, fighting and skirmishing at many points. After the capture of
Savannah, the 2d accompanied Sherman's march across the Carolinas. In
this
campaign the work of the cavalry was peculiarly arduous. It was
employed in the
advance, and in protecting the flanks of the infantry columns. The 2d
was
engaged in many encounters, notably at Sister's Ferry, Bentonville and
Averysboro. In March, 1861, it was at Mt. Olive, N. C., in April at
Durham. In
May, June and July, it moved to different places in North Carolina,
being part of
the time at Lexington.
July 17, 1865, four years
from the time it had first organized at Camp Jo. Holt, the 2d Ky.
Cavalry was
mustered out of the service at Lexington, N. C. It engaged in the first
contests in Kentucky in 1861, and ended its career with the last
battles in
1865.
From Lexington, N. C., it was
ordered to proceed to Louisville, Ky., to be finally discharged.
It participated in 56
engagements, in which loss was sustained. Among these may be mentioned:
Woodburn, Ky., September 10, 1862; Bardstown, October 4, 1862;
Perryville,
October 8, 1862; Stone's River, Hillsboro Pike, June 29, 1863; Neal's
Clap,
Ga., September 17, 1863; Chickamauga, McMinnville, October 2, 1863;
Washington,
Tenn., October 2, 1863; Dalton, Ga., May 27, 1864; Kennesaw, June 23,
1864;
Smith's Cross Roads, July 29, 1864; Newmans, Ga., July 30, 1864;
Triune, Tenn.,
September 3, 1864, when Col. Eifort was killed; Waynesboro, Ga.,
November 27,
1864; Averysboro, N. C., March 16, 1865.
Among its losses were five
officers killed and many wounded. No regiment in the service was more
faithful
or efficient. Its motto was "Always ready."
From Dyer's Compendium:
2nd Regiment Cavalry
Organized at Camp Joe Holt and Muldraugh's
Hill, Ky.,
September 9, 1861; to February 13, 1862. Attached to Rousseau's
Brigade,
McCook's Command, Army of the Ohio, October, 1861, to December, 1861.
2nd
Division, Army of the Ohio, to September, 1862. Unattached Cavalry, 1st
Corps,
Army Ohio, to November, 1862. Cavalry, 1st Division, Center 14th Army
Corps, Army
of the Cumberland, to January, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division,
Army of
the Cumberland, to April, 1864. 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, Cavalry
Corps, Army
of the Cumberland, to October, 1864. 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, Cavalry
Corps,
Military Division Mississippi, to November, 1864. 1st Brigade, 3rd
Division,
Cavalry Corps, M.D. M., to July, 1865.
SERVICE--At Bacon Creek and
Green River, Ky., until February, 1862. March to Nashville, Tenn.,
February
10-25, thence to Savannah, Tenn., March 31-April 7. Battle of Shiloh,
Tenn.,
April 7-8. Advance on and siege of Corinth, Miss., April 29-May 30.
Duty at
Corinth until June 10. Buell's Campaign in Northern Alabama and Middle
Tennessee June to August. March to Louisville, Ky., in pursuit of Bragg
August
21-September 26. Woodburn, Ky., September 10. Pursuit of Bragg into
Kentucky
October 1-22. Near Bardstown October 4. Battle of Perryville October 8.
Pursuit
to Loudon October 10-22. Bloomfield October 18. March to Nashville,
Tenn.,
October 22-November 7. Duty there until December 26. Nolensville
December 20.
Advance on Murfreesboro December 26-30. Battle of Stone's River
December 30-31,
1862, and January 1-3, 1863. At Murfreesboro until June. Expedition to
McMinnville April 20-30. Wartrace Road June 13. Middle Tennessee or
Tullahoma
Campaign June 24-July 7. Near Hillsborough June 29. Tullahoma July 1.
Bob's
Cross Roads July 1. Moore's Ford and Rock Creek Ford, Elk River, July
2.
Boiling Fork, near Winchester, July 3. Expedition to Huntsville July
13-22.
Passage of Cumberland Mountains and Tennessee River, and Chickamauga
(Ga.)
Campaign August 16-September 22. Alpine, Ga., September 3 and 8.
Reconnaissance
toward LaFayette September 10. Neal's Gap September 17. Battle of
Chickamauga
September 19-21. Near Philadelphia September 27. Operations against
Wheeler and
Roddy September 30-October 17. Pitt's Cross Roads, Sequatchie Valley,
October
2. Hill's Gap, Thompson's Cove, October 3. Murfreesboro Road, near
McMinnville,
October 4. McMinnville October 4. Farmington October 7. Sim's Farm,
near
Shelbyville, October 7. Lookout Mountain November 24 (Detachment).
Mission
Ridge November 25 (Detachment). March to relief of Knoxville November
28-December 8. At Bridgeport, Ala., until May, 1864. Scouts to
Caperton's Ferry
March 28 (Detachment). Atlanta Campaign May to September. Near Resaca
May 13.
Battle of Resaca May 14-15. Kingston May 24. Dalton May 27. Rousseau's
Raid
from Decatur on West Point & Montgomery Railroad July 10-22. Ten
Island
Ford, Coosa River, July 14. Siege of Atlanta July 22-August 25.
McCook's Raid
on Atlanta and West Point and Macon & Western Railroad July 27-31.
Lovejoy
Station and Smith's Cross Roads July 29. Clear Creek and near Newman's
July 30.
Kilpatrick's Raid around Atlanta August 18-22. Camp Creek August 18.
Jonesboro
August 19. Lovejoy Station August 20. Flank movement on Jonesboro
August 25-30.
Flint River Station August 30. Battle of Jonesboro August 31-September
1.
Lovejoy's Station September 2-6. Operations against Hood in North
Carolina and
North Alabama September 29-November 3. Camp Creek September 30.
Sweetwater and
Noyes Creek, near Powder Springs, October 1-3. Van Wert October 9-10.
Marietta
November 6. March to the sea November 15-December 10. Lovejoy Station
November
16. Griswoldsville November 22. Sylvan Grove and near Waynesboro
November 27.
Waynesboro November 27-28. Near Waynesboro November 28. Near Louisville
November 30. Millen or Shady Grove December 1. Waynesboro December 4.
Siege of
Savannah December 10-21. Campaign of the Carolinas January to April,
1865.
Blackville, S.C., February 7. Williston February 8. Johnson's Station
February
10. Phillips Cross Roads, N. C., March 4. Monroe's Cross Roads March 8.
Averysboro, Taylor's Hole Creek, N. C., March 16. Battle of Bentonville
March 19-21.
Occupation of Raleigh and Moresville April 13. Chapel Hill April 15.
Bennett's
House April 26. Surrender of Johnston and his army. Duty at Mt. Olive,
Lexington and Durham, N. C., until July. Mustered out at Camp Joe Holt,
Ky.,
July 9-27, 1865.
Regiment lost during service
5 Officers and 51 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 1
Officer and
122 Enlisted men by disease. Total 179.
Copyright © 2000-2009, Robert M. Baker, Timothy
Downey, and
the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War,
Additional Resources:
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Kentucky Veteran Cavalry Rosters