2nd Ohio Cavalry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 2nd Ohio Cavalry (Three Years’ Service) was a Union cavalry regiment organized in Ohio during the summer and fall of 1861. The regiment was recruited under the supervision of Hon. B. F. Wade and Hon. John Hutchins, with its rendezvous at Camp Wade. Serving primarily in the Western and later Eastern Theaters, the regiment participated in numerous campaigns and engagements throughout the war, earning distinction for its service and reenlistment rate.

The 2nd Ohio Cavalry was mustered in for three years’ service and served until September 11, 1865. It was involved in significant operations across Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Virginia, and was known for its high level of activity and engagement in both mounted and dismounted actions.

Organization & Service

The 2nd Ohio Cavalry was organized at Camp Wade, Ohio, in the summer and fall of 1861. The regiment mustered into United States service for three years and departed Ohio in January 1862, traveling by rail through Cincinnati, St. Louis, and St. Joseph to Platte City, Missouri. Early in its service, a detachment engaged Confederate forces under Quantrill at Independence, Missouri, marking the regiment’s first combat action.

In August 1862, a detail from each company was formed into a light artillery battery, which became the 25th Ohio Battery in January 1863. The regiment participated in campaigns in Missouri and Arkansas, including actions at Carthage, Newtonia, Cow Hill, Wolf Creek, White River, and Prairie Grove. In late 1863, the regiment moved to Tennessee, engaging at Blountsville, Bristol, Morristown, Russellville, and Bean’s Station, and operated during the siege of Knoxville.

After a large portion of the regiment reenlisted in January 1864, the 2nd Ohio Cavalry was transferred to the Eastern Theater. It participated in the Wilderness Campaign, serving on the right flank of the infantry, and fought at Brandy Station, Hanover Court House, Ashland, Nottaway Court House, Stony Creek, and Reams’ Station. The regiment continued to see action in the Shenandoah Valley at Winchester, Charlestown, Berryville, Opequan, Front Royal, Luray Valley, Waynesboro, Bridgewater, Cedar Creek, New Market, and Lacey’s Springs. The regiment was mustered out on September 11, 1865, at St. Louis, Missouri.

Research This Regiment Further

If you’d like to explore this unit’s history in more depth, regimental histories and Civil War reference works offer valuable detail.

Engagements & Campaigns

  • Independence, Missouri (February 1862)
  • Carthage, Missouri
  • Newtonia, Missouri
  • Cow Hill, Arkansas
  • Wolf Creek, Arkansas
  • White River, Arkansas
  • Prairie Grove, Arkansas
  • Blountsville, Tennessee (September 1863)
  • Bristol, Tennessee
  • Siege of Knoxville, Tennessee
  • Morristown, Tennessee (December 1863)
  • Russellville, Tennessee
  • Bean’s Station, Tennessee
  • Brandy Station, Virginia
  • Wilderness Campaign, Virginia
  • Hanover Court House, Virginia
  • Ashland, Virginia
  • Nottaway Court House, Virginia
  • Stony Creek, Virginia
  • Reams’ Station, Virginia
  • Winchester, Virginia (August 1864)
  • Charlestown, West Virginia
  • Berryville, Virginia
  • Opequan (Third Battle of Winchester), Virginia
  • Front Royal, Virginia
  • Luray Valley, Virginia
  • Waynesboro, Virginia
  • Bridgewater, Virginia
  • Cedar Creek, Virginia
  • New Market, Virginia
  • Lacey’s Springs, Virginia

Casualties

According to available primary sources, the 2nd Ohio Cavalry suffered the following losses in key actions:

  • Independence, Missouri: 1 killed, 3 wounded
  • Russellville, Tennessee: 40 killed and wounded
  • Stony Creek and Reams’ Station: 105 killed, wounded, and missing

Total regimental losses for the full term of service are not consistently reported in all sources. Some details are incomplete in surviving primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

  • Colonel Charles Doubleday
  • Colonel August V. Kautz
  • Colonel Bayard Nettleton
  • Colonel Dudley Seward
  • Lieutenant Colonel Robert W. Ratliff
  • Lieutenant Colonel George A. Purington
  • Lieutenant Colonel David E. Welch
  • Major Henry F. Willson
  • Major George G. Miner
  • Major Henry L. Burnett
  • Major Albert Barnitz
  • Major Hyman N. Easton
  • Major Rynd E. Lawder

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 2nd Ohio Cavalry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster provides details on service records, enlistment dates, and other pertinent information.

To view the complete roster, visit the 2nd Ohio Cavalry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

  • Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes and parts (see index for Ohio cavalry operations)
  • Ohio Roster Commission, Official Roster of the Soldiers of the State of Ohio in the War of the Rebellion, Vol. 11 (Cavalry)
  • Dyer, Frederick H., A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion
  • Fox, William F., Regimental Losses in the American Civil War
  • The Union Army, Federal Publishing Company, 1908, Volume 2
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