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Contributed
by Department of Kentucky,
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.
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