6th Ohio Cavalry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 6th Ohio Cavalry (Three Years’ Service) was a Union cavalry regiment organized at Camp Hutchins, Warren, Ohio, in October, November, and December 1861. The regiment served in the Eastern Theater throughout the Civil War, participating in numerous campaigns and engagements with the Army of the Potomac and other commands. It was known for its extensive service in major operations from western Virginia to Appomattox.

This unit was mustered for three years’ service and is distinct from any other Ohio cavalry formations. The 6th Ohio Cavalry was notable for its participation in many significant battles and for the detachment of one battalion to the far west under Lieutenant Colonel William O. Collins.

Organization & Service

The 6th Ohio Cavalry was organized by Colonel William R. Lloyd at Camp Hutchins, Warren, Ohio, during the last quarter of 1861. The regiment entered U.S. service in the field in western Virginia in May 1862, initially under General Fremont. It then moved into the Shenandoah Valley under General Sigel, and participated in the campaign in front of Washington, D.C., during the summer of 1862 with the Army of Virginia under General John Pope.

In the fall of 1862, the regiment was attached to the Army of the Potomac under General George B. McClellan, followed by service under General Burnside in the winter of 1862–1863. Early in 1863, the cavalry corps was organized by General Joe Hooker, and the 6th Ohio Cavalry served under successive cavalry corps commanders: Generals Stoneman, Pleasonton, and Sheridan. The regiment continued with the Army of the Potomac under General Meade and later under Generals Grant and Sheridan until the end of the war.

The 6th Ohio Cavalry was assigned to various brigades commanded by Generals Buford, Duffie, Averell, McIntosh, D. McM. Gregg, Kilpatrick, Huey, Davies, and C. H. Smith, and to divisions led by Generals Bayard, Averell, Pleasonton, Gregg, and Crook. A battalion of four companies was detached and sent to the far west under Lieutenant Colonel Collins. To maintain regimental strength, four companies were recruited in late 1862 and early 1863, with Companies B and E joining at Falmouth, Virginia, in March 1863, and Companies F and M joining at Warrenton, Virginia, in March 1864.

Upon the expiration of the original three-year term, non-veteran members were mustered out, while the regiment continued in service with reenlisted veterans and recruits. The 6th Ohio Cavalry was finally mustered out at Petersburg, Virginia, on August 7, 1865, in accordance with War Department orders.

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

  • Western Virginia operations (May 1862)
  • Shenandoah Valley campaign
  • Campaign in front of Washington, D.C. (Summer 1862)
  • Woodstock, Mt. Jackson, Cross Keys, Luray Court House, Warrenton
  • Bull Run, Chantilly, Fredericksburg
  • Kelly’s Ford, Stoneman’s Raid, Stevensburg, Aldie, Middleburg, Upperville (Virginia)
  • Gettysburg (Pennsylvania)
  • Hagerstown, Boonsboro, Falling Waters (Maryland)
  • Shepherdstown, Rapidan Station, Sulphur Springs, Auburn Mills, Bristoe Station, Mine Run
  • Todd’s Tavern, Mitchell’s Shop, Yellow Tavern, Meadow Bridge, Haw’s Shop, Cold Harbor, Bottom’s Bridge
  • Trevillian Station, St. Mary’s Church, Malvern Hill, Darbytown, Deep Bottom, Reams’ Station, Peebles’ Farm, Boydtown Road, Stony Creek, Hatcher’s Run, Quaker Road, Dinwiddie Court House, Five Forks, Jetersville, Deatonsville, Sailor’s Creek, Farmville, High Bridge, Appomattox (Lee’s surrender)

Casualties

The roster of the 6th Ohio Cavalry indicates that from 1861 to 1865, a total of 1,758 officers and enlisted men served in the regiment. Specific casualty figures for killed, wounded, or died of disease are not fully detailed in available primary sources.

Some details are incomplete in surviving primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

  • Colonel William R. Lloyd
  • Colonel William Stedman
  • Colonel Frank C. Loveland
  • Lieutenant Colonel William O. Collins
  • Lieutenant Colonel Norman A. Barrett
  • Lieutenant Colonel George W. Dickinson
  • Major John O. Ferrell
  • Major Richard B. Treat
  • Major Amandar Bingham
  • Major John H. Cryer
  • Major Benjamin C. Stanhope
  • Major James C. Richart
  • Major James S. Abell
  • Major Matthew H. Cryer

Regimental Roster

The complete roster of the 6th Ohio Cavalry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men who served from 1861 to 1865, is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster provides details on company assignments, enlistment dates, and service records.

To view the full roster, visit the 6th Ohio Cavalry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

  • Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes and parts (Army of the Potomac, Cavalry Corps reports, 1862–1865)
  • Ohio Adjutant General’s Report
  • Dyer, Frederick H., 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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