8th Regiment, Kentucky Cavalry (Union)

Brief History
The 8th Regiment, Kentucky Cavalry was organized at Russellville, Logan County, Kentucky, and mustered in August 13, 1862, under Colonel Leonidas Metcalfe. In a long and fatiguing march, the regiment helped track down and were present when the notorious Morgan’s raiders were taken. They mustered out September 23, 1863.

The 8th Regiment, Kentucky Cavalry was organized at Russellsville, Logan County, Kentucky, and mustered in August 13, 1862. The regiment moved to Buffington's Island, Ohio, July 19. It mustered out September 23, 1863.

For more information on the history of this unit, see:


 * The Civil War Archive section, 8th Regiment Cavalry, (accessed 29 June 2012).
 * The Wikipedia article, 8th Regiment Kentucky Volunteer Cavalry, (accessed 29 June 2012).

Companies in this Regiment with the Counties of Origin
Men often enlisted in a company recruited in the counties where they lived though not always. After many battles, companies might be combined because so many men were killed or wounded. However if you are unsure which company your ancestor was in, try the company recruited in his county first.

The 8th Regiment Kentucky Cavalry:


 * 1st Battalion, Maj James H Holloway, Mustered In Sept 13, 1862, Henderson, Ky


 * 1)   Co B. Capt Issac Singleton
 * 2)   Co E. Capt John A. Arthur
 * 3)   Co H. Capt Samuel Allen
 * 4)   Co L. Capt Robert V Gunter


 * 2nd Battalion, Lt. Col Benjamin H Bristow, Mustered in Sept 6, 1862, Russellville, Ky


 * 1)  Co A. Capt George W. Mucullough
 * 2)  Co D. Capt Samuel F. Johnson
 * 3)  Co G. Capt James M Morrow
 * 4)  Co K. Capt James H. Hudspeth


 * 3rd Battalion, Maj James W Weatherford, Mustered in Sept 8, 1862, Russellville, Ky


 * 1)  Co C. Capt Charles M Whipp
 * 2)  Co F. Capt James B. Carson
 * 3)  Co i.  Capt John Dever
 * 4)  Co M. Capt John D Belden

Battalion Movements
September- October 1862


 * 1st Battalion- Under Major Holloway, commanded by Coronel Shackelford the 1st remained at Henderson, Kentucky and were constantly skirmishing with Rebel forces under the command of Adam Johnson. This battalion together with one or two companies of the Indiana Calvary fought a large force under the command of Adam Johnson at Greigers Lake and scathered them in every direction. In this engagement, Coronel Shackleford recieved a severe and painful wound while leading the charge.
 * 2nd &amp; 3rd Battalions- In the meantime, the second and third battalion's were engaged with the Rebel Coronel Woodward and finally by a night march under Major Joseph M. Kennedy, They came upon his forces at Camp Coleman in Todd County, Ky dispersing the whole force. Upon the occasion of the short lived invasion of Kentucky by Confederate General Braxton Bragg, General Don Carlos Buell ordered the Second and Third Battalion's to join his command at Bowling Green. In conjunction with a part of the 4th Ky Calvary they were assigned responsibility of guarding Buell's immense wagon train across the Green River.

November 1862


 * 1st &amp; 2nd Battalion- ordered back to Russellville, Ky
 * 3rd Battalion-  sent to Clarksville, TN in order to repeal invasions and keep the Cumberland river flowing, thus ensuring supplies for General William Rosecrans Army.

Jan 1863


 * In January Coronel Shackleford was promoted to Brig Genral &amp; Lt Col Benjamin H Bristow was commisioned Coronel.

Winter 1862/ Spring 1863


 * 1st &amp; 2nd Battalion- During the winter and spring the 1st &amp; 2nd were engaged in many skirmishes and were assigned duty protecting land west of the Nashville Railroad.

July 1863

In July the 8th Regiment in its entirety along with a Battalion of the 3rd Calvary under the command of Coronel Bristow were in pursuit of John Hunt Morgan on his raid throught Indiana, Kentucky, &amp; Ohio. They performed beyond expectation on the long and fatigueing march throught the states and were present at the capture of the notorious raider at the Battle of Bluffington Island. Though not offically part of the battle it aided in the capture as Hunts men who had planned on escaping accros the ford but were surrounded due to the prescence of the U.S. Naval Mississippi Fleet which slowed Hunts Progress. As such July 26 1863 John Hunt Morgan's raid came to an abrubt end and he surrendered after the Battle of Salineville.

Sept 1863


 * Sept 23, 1863 after returning to Russellville, Ky, the regiment was mustered out of service.

The records for this Regiment's Companies are from the book, Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Kentucky, Vol. 1-1861-1866.

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The Civil War Soldiers and Sailors database lists 1,851 men on its roster for this unit. Roster.

Other Sources

 * Beginning United States Civil War Research gives steps for finding information about a Civil War soldier. It covers the major records that should be used. Additional records are described in ‘Kentucky in the Civil War’ and ‘United States Civil War, 1861 to 1865’ (see below).


 * National Park Service, The Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System, is searchable by soldier's name and state. It contains basic facts about soldiers on both sides of the Civil War, a list of regiments, descriptions of significant battles, sources of the information, and suggestions for where to find additional information.


 * Kentucky in the Civil War describes many Confederate and Union sources, specifically for Kentucky, and how to find them.. These include compiled service records, pension records, rosters, cemetery records, Internet databases, published books, etc.


 * United States Civil War, 1861 to 1865 describes and explains United States and Confederate States records, rather than state records, and how to find them. These include veterans’ censuses, compiled service records, pension records, rosters, cemetery records, Internet databases, published books, etc.