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2nd Michigan Cavalry
in the American Civil War

Regimental History
Second Michigan Cavalry. — Cols., Gordon Granger, Archibald P. Campbell; Lieut. -Cols., William C. Davies, Frederick Fowler, Benjamin Smith, Thomas W. Johnston; Majs., Robert H. G. Minty, Charles P. Babcock, Frank W. Dickey, John C. Godley, Leonidas S. Scranton, Marshall J. Dickinson, Harrison F. Nicholson, Charles N. Baker. This regiment was organized at Grand Rapids and was mustered in Oct. 2, 1861. It left the state on Nov. 14, was stationed at Benton barracks, St. Louis, was engaged in skirmishes at Point Pleasant, Tipton and New Madrid, participated in the siege of Island No. 10, and then moved with Pope's army to Mississippi. It was in the engagements at Pine hill, Monterey and Farmington, and the siege of Corinth. Col. Granger was made brigadier-general and was succeeded by Philip H. Sheridan as colonel, but the latter was not mustered in as such. The regiment was in the engagements at Booneville, Blackland, and Baldwin, in June, 1862, and was in a spirited fight at Booneville July 1, where 7,000 of Chalmer's cavalry were repulsed by six companies, numbering less than 500 men. This was one of the greatest minor victories of the war. The 2nd Mich. and 2nd Ia. cavalry followed the enemy for 20 miles, capturing a large amount of arms and clothing. The regiment was engaged at Rienzi in August, when a largely superior force was defeated and dispersed and many prisoners were captured. Col. Sheridan was made a brigadier- general and Lieut. -Col. Campbell was appointed colonel. The regiment was engaged at the battle of Perryville, Ky., then at Harrodsburg, Lancaster and the Rockcastle river. In Dec, 1862, and Jan., 1863, it was in a raid in eastern Tennessee, being engaged at Blountville, Zollicoffer, Wartrace, Jonesville, Bacon creek and Glasgow. In March it was engaged at Milton, Cainsville, Spring Hill, Columbia, Hillsboro and Brentwood. The engagement at Columbia was against a much larger force, but two battalions of the 2nd Mich. cavalry by tremendous efforts, saved the wagon trains, which were in charge of the 18th Ohio cavalry. The regiment fought at McGarvick's ford in April, and during the summer was engaged at Triune, Rover, Middletown, Shelbyville, Elk river ford, and Decherd. It participated at Chickamauga, holding an important point against an enemy, and in October was engaged in the pursuit of Wheeler's cavalry, being in action at Anderson's cross-roads. It fought at Sparta, Dandridge and Mossy creek, in December, and at Dandridge and Pigeon river in Jan., 1864. While at Cleveland, Tenn., 326 reenlisted as veterans and took a furlough, rejoining the regiment in July. On the Atlanta campaign the regiment fought at Dug gap, Red Clay, the Etowah river and Acworth, and joined Gen. Thomas' army in Tennessee. It met and defeated the enemy at Campbellville and Franklin in September; was engaged at Cypress river in October, where a force four times that of the Union army was defeated; participated at Raccoon ford, and during November was engaged at Shoal creek, Lawrenceburg, Campbellville, Columbia, Spring Hill and the battle of Franklin. During December it was engaged at Nashville, Richland creek, Pulaski and Sugar creek, and in 1865 fought at Corinth, Tuscaloosa, Trion, Bridgeville and Talladega. It was in camp at Macon from May 1 until July 17, detachments being sent to garrison Perry, Thomaston, Barnesville, Forsyth and Milledgeville. The regiment was mustered out Aug. 17, 1865. Its original strength was 1,163; gain 1,262; total, 2,425. Loss by death, 338.

Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing Company, 1908 - Volume 3

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