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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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