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Company K-Bull Run
On the morning of June 19, 1861, the cavalry was attached to various divisions of the main army, Company K being placed with Colonel Hunter’s division. The entire command marched toward Bull Run on the 21st led by Hunter’s division. When the battle began, the cavalry was concentrated on the right, where Company K was protected at first by heavy timber. The presence of these regulars among the volunteers steadied the latter along this part of the line. But the untrained men finally gave way at a time when it looked as if the day was won. After the infantry left, the cavalry formed a line across this part of the field to check the enemy in his pursuit.
Finally, when the infantry was gone, the cavalry moved out in good order until they reached Sudley’s Church, where they dismounted. Keeping in rear of the army, the cavalry marched slowly along, occasionally driving away the Rebel horsemen assisted by Arnold’s artillery. General Heintzelman says:
“We relied entirely for our protection on one section of artillery and a few companies of cavalry.”
Colonel Porter reports: “The Commanding General then ordered a retreat upon Centerville, at the time directing me to cover it with the battalion of regulars, the cavalry and a section of artillery. The rear guard thus organized followed our panic stricken troops to Centerville, resisting the attacks of the Rebel cavalry and artillery, and saving them from the inevitable destruction which awaited them had not this body been interposed.” Upon reaching Centerville the cavalry returned to their old quarters and unsaddled and fed their horses a meager meal, after which they lay down to sleep using the saddles as pillows. Lieutenant David S. Gordon, recently appointed, was taken prisoner in this action. Sergeant Sacks captured General George H. Steuart, formerly Second Lieutenant Company I, Second Dragoons, and transferred to the First Cavalry when it was organized in 1855, but now a staunch Rebel.
VAL VERDE, NEW MEXICO - COMPANY G
During this same month Company G was defending the Union in the new territory of New Mexico. Under the strange events of war this company was undergoing some unusual experiences. Left practically to shift for itself, it was commanded by four different officers from other branches in five months time. Finally it was assigned to duty with a battery of light artillery October 8, 1861. This battery of six guns, commanded by Captain Alexander McRae, Infantry, was made up of Company G, Second Cavalry, and one company of the Third Cavalry.
Preceding the battle of Val Verde, the force concentrated at Fort Craig, New Mexico, consisted of parts of the Fifth and Seventh Infantry, Company G, Second Cavalry, one company of the Third Cavalry, and two regiments of New Mexican volunteers under Kit Carson. Leaving the post February 21, 1862, under Brigadier General E.R.S. Canby, it marched north along the east bank of the Rio Grande River. At 6:00 a.m. the light battery received orders to move to the front, and going forward at a gallop, it crossed the river and took a position opposite a Rebel battery about four hundred yards distance. Here it remained during the morning, when it dislodged the opposing battery, enabling the infantry to cross to the opposite bank. At noon it crossed to the east bank and for some time fired occasional shots at the enemy cavalry. Later, the battery was advanced to the front and on the left of the line of battle. Soon after arriving here it was found they were within one hundred yards of two enemy batteries which were masked behind a hill. These Texas batteries soon did great damage to them, and followed this cannonade with a charge of their infantry. The New Mexican volunteers fled, leaving a few Union troops to repulse the charge, which was gallantly done. The Texas troops soon charged again, led by General Henry H. Sibley, formerly a captain in the Second Dragoons. There followed a severe hand-to-hand fight resulting in many casualties to both sides. General Canby ordered a withdrawal to the east bank and after a short time the whole command fell back to Fort Craig. The casualties in G Company were nine men killed, eight wounded, and two missing. Colonel Joseph MacBell has this to say of the cavalrymen who were now artillerymen:
“Too much praise cannot be given to the companies of the Second and Third Cavalry, manning the battery, for the part they took in the fight. Failing in no duty, regardless of themselves, and having in view the honest performance of all that was to be done, they bore themselves as men of courage throughout the day.”
FORT HENRY, FORT DONELSON - COMPANY C
Regimental Headquarters, Band, and Companies B, E, and H left Fort Crittenden (Camp Floyd), Utah, July 27, 1861, en route to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. After a march of over two months, during which time they had very little knowledge of the stirring events in the East, they arrived at that post October 6. Taking a train to Washington, D.C., they reached Cantonment Holt October 19. Companies A, D, and F joined them there in December, and as Company K was already there, seven of the ten companies were assembled as a unit. At the end of the year 1861 Company C was at Paducah, Kentucky, Company G at Fort Craig, New Mexico, and Company I at Fort Garland, Colorado.
After the battle of Wilson’s Creek Company C was transferred to St. Louis August 30. From here it proceeded to Paducah, Kentucky, and was assigned to the command of Brigadier General Charles F. Smith of McClernand’s Division along with one company of the Fourth Cavalry. At this place it was engaged in scouting and escort duty until February 5, 1862, when operations against Forts Henry and Donelson, Tennessee, were begun under Grant. During this time the cavalry was opposed to Forrest, the famous Southern cavalry leader. Fort Henry was captured without much struggle and the army moved on to Donelson. While on reconnaissance duty near Fort Donelson Company C had a skirmish with the enemy February 10 and another on the 12th. Arriving at that place, the army soon bottled up the Confederates, causing the surrender of the entire garrison except the cavalry. The company then marched south with the army to Nashville, Tennessee.
PITTSBURG LANDING (SHILOH) - COMPANY C
Arriving at Nashville, Tennessee, February 28, 1862, Company C remained there until March 1 when it marched south with Grant’s army to Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee. The regimental returns have the following to say about this company during the year:
“Engaged in the battle of Pittsburg Landing (Shiloh) April 6 and 7, 1862. Left there the 14th under command of General C.F. Smith, and drove back the enemy’s, returning to camp at Pittsburg Landing the same day. Left Pittsburg Landing on a reconnaissance April 27 and marched within five miles of Purddy, returning to camp at Pittsburg Landing April 30, 1862.
Left Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee, May 4 and arrived at Corinth, Mississippi, June 7, 1862.
Remained at Corinth, Mississippi, until September 25 when we marched to Pocahontas Farm same day and engaged and dispersed the Confederate Cavalry. The Company lost five men and eighteen horses in this engagement. It returned to Corinth, Mississippi September 26, 1862.”
THE REGIMENT REASSEMBLES
We left Company I at Taos, New Mexico, in 1861, under Captain Sibley. That officer went over to the Confederacy, leaving it in command of Lieutenant Walker. On October 9, 1861, it moved to Fort Garland, Colorado, where it remained until September, 1862.
During that month it joined forces with Company G at Camp Picket Wire, New Mexico, and started for Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, as an escort to General Canby, where it arrived October 27. The two companies soon proceeded to Washington, arriving there November 23, 1862. During October Companies L and M were authorized; their officers were assigned, and recruiting began at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania. In December Company L, having received its recruits, went into camp at Fort Albany, Virginia. During this month Companies A, B, and D joined Company L at this place after also receiving recruits. Company M received its quota of recruits in February, 1863, and went into training at Washington, D.C. It joined the regiment at Warrenton Junction, Virginia, in May, 1863.
Company C was detached from the remainder of the regiment and was fighting in the West during the first two years of the war. It was moved from Holly Spring, Mississippi, and arrived at Memphis, Tennessee, January 15, 1863, where it acted for some time as escort to General Grant. During April, 1863, it was moved to Washington, D.C., and remained there until June, when it joined the regiment in the field. This company never received its quota of recruits as did the others, and during the rest of the war was considerably below them in strength. By June, 1863, the entire regiment of twelve companies, consisting of an aggregate of 832 officers and men, was assembled as a unit. | |
