Merrill’s Horse in the American Civil War

Overview

Merrill’s Horse, also known as the 2nd Missouri Cavalry, was a Union cavalry regiment with significant Ohio connections during the American Civil War. While officially organized in Missouri, Companies B, C, and K were enlisted at Cincinnati, Ohio, and officered by Ohio men, with additional recruits from Ohio joining throughout its service. The regiment served primarily in the Western Theater and was noted for its active participation in numerous engagements across Missouri, Arkansas, and Kansas.

This unit is distinct from other Ohio cavalry regiments and is sometimes referenced as the 2nd Missouri Cavalry due to its dual state affiliations.

Organization & Service

The regiment was organized at Benton Barracks, St. Louis, Missouri, with Companies A through K mustered in late 1861 for three years’ service. Companies L and M were subsequently organized at St. Louis and Warrenton, Missouri, on January 1 and June 30, 1863, respectively. Companies B, C, and K were raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, and led by Ohio officers, with further Ohio recruits joining over time.

Merrill’s Horse was attached to various commands within the Department of Missouri and later participated in operations in Arkansas and Kansas. The regiment was engaged in numerous actions, including Silver Creek, Knob Noster, Memphis, Moore’s Mills, Kirksville, Switzer’s Mill, Crampton’s Ferry, and Roanoke in Missouri; Brownsville, Bayou Meto, Little Rock, Princeton, Prairie d’Ane, Camden, Moro Bottom, and Jenkins’ Ferry in Arkansas; and Little Blue, Big Blue in Missouri, as well as Little Osage River in Kansas. The original members, except for veterans, were mustered out as their terms expired. The regiment, composed of veterans and recruits, remained in service until September 19, 1865, when it was mustered out at Nashville, Tennessee, by order of the War Department.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Silver Creek, Missouri
• Knob Noster, Missouri
• Memphis, Missouri
• Moore’s Mills, Missouri
• Kirksville, Missouri
• Switzer’s Mill, Missouri
• Crampton’s Ferry, Missouri
• Roanoke, Missouri
• Bear Skin Lake, Missouri
• Brownsville, Arkansas
• Bayou Meto, Arkansas
• Little Rock, Arkansas
• Princeton, Arkansas
• Prairie d’Ane, Arkansas
• Camden, Arkansas
• Moro Bottom, Arkansas
• Jenkins’ Ferry, Arkansas
• Little Blue, Missouri
• Big Blue, Missouri
• Little Osage River, Kansas

Casualties

Specific casualty figures for Merrill’s Horse are not detailed in the available primary sources. The regiment sustained losses in killed, wounded, and by disease during its extensive service, but exact numbers are not provided in Dyer’s Compendium or the Official Records.

Some details are incomplete in surviving primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Lewis Merrill
• Other field officers and acting commanders are not fully listed in available primary sources.

Regimental Roster

The full roster of Merrill’s Horse, including Companies B, C, and K raised in Ohio, is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster includes names, ranks, and service details of the men who served in the regiment.

To view the complete list of soldiers and officers, visit the Merrill’s Horse (Regimental Roster) page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes (see Missouri and Arkansas operations, 1861–1865)
• Dyer, Frederick H. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion
• Federal Publishing Company, The Union Army, Vol. 2 (1908)
• State Adjutant General Reports (Ohio and Missouri, as applicable)