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8th Michigan Cavalry
in the American Civil War
| Regimental History |
| Eighth Michigan Cavalry. — Cols., John Stockton, Elisha
Mix; Lieut. -Cols., Grover S. Wormer, William L. Buck; Majs., Henry C.
Edgerly, Edward Coates, Elisha Mix, Nathan S. Boynton, Watson B. Smith,
Darwin D. Buck, James A. Strong. This regiment was organized at Mt.
Clemens in 1862, and was mustered in May 2, 1863. It left the state by
detachments, the first, consisting of eight squadrons, leaving May 12,
and the second on May 23. The regiment reported at Covington, Ky. It was
engaged in skirmishes at Triplett's bridge, the Kentucky river and Salt
river, capturing many prisoners and horses. In the pursuit of Morgan it
was in action at Lebanon, Lawrenceburg, Salvisa, Buffington island,
Winchester, Salineville, Lancaster and Stamford. At Buffington island it
captured 573 of Morgan's cavalry with horses and equipment. A detachment
under Lieut. Boynton was at Salineville with Maj. Rue, when Morgan
surrendered his forces, the guidon of Co. L, 8th Mich. floating over the
heads of Morgan and his officers when the terms were made. The regiment
was then sent to Tennessee and was engaged at Kingston, Cleveland,
Calhoun, Athens and Loudon. At Athens the oath was administered to 1,500
Confederate soldiers and a large number of citizens. The regiment was
next engaged at Philadelphia, Sweetwater, Lenoir's station, Campbell's
station, Knoxville, Nov. 18; Rutledge, Bean's station and New Market,
and was complimented by Gen. Burnside, in special orders for bravery and
valuable service rendered. In the early part of 1864 it was engaged at
Mossy creek, Dandridge, Fair Garden and Sevierville. It moved to
Knoxville on Feb. 3, turned over its horses and marched on foot to Mt.
Sterling, Ky. It was in camp at Mt. Sterling and Nicholasville until
June 3, when it was remounted and started for Big Shanty to participate
in the movement on Atlanta. It was engaged at Kennesaw mountain,
Sweetwater, the Chattahoochee river, Moore's ridge, Covington, Macon and
Sunshine Church. At the last named place the entire force under Gen.
Stoneman was surrounded. Stoneman decided to surrender, but gave
permission to any of the forces to cut their way out if they could. The
8th, under Col. Mix, made the attempt and though a few, including the
colonel, were captured the remainder forced their way through by
desperate fighting. In attempting to reach the Union lines at Atlanta
the regiment met the enemy at Eatonton and at Mulberry creek, where,
after a severe engagement, many were captured, the total loss being 215.
Those who escaped were stationed at Marietta and Turner's ferry on
picket duty until Sept. 14, when they were ordered to Nicholasville,
Ky., thence to Nashville, which place was reached Oct. 26. The 8th was
engaged near Waynesboro, and near Henryville a battalion that had been
cut off by the enemy fought its way through and joined the regiment,
which had performed valorous work, repelling an assault and arresting a
stampede of two Union regiments. It was engaged at Mount Pleasant and at
the Duck river, where it was surrounded by the enemy in large numbers,
but with the 14th and 16th Ill., charged with bayonets, forcing a way
through in gallant manner. It was at the battle of Franklin, where a
desperate attack was repulsed, and was in reserve in the movements
around Nashville in December. It was ordered to Pulaski in Jan., 1865;
was engaged in scouting and suppressing guerrillas until Sept. 21, and
was mustered out Sept. 22, 1865, at Nashville. Its original strength was
1,117; gain, 1,908, including 513 transferred from 11th cavalry; total,
3,025. Loss by death, 321. |
Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing
Company, 1908 - Volume 3
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