The 2nd Michigan Cavalry Regiment was a
cavalry
Historically, cavalry (from the French word ''cavalerie'', itself derived from ''cheval'' meaning "horse") are groups of soldiers or warriors who Horses in warfare, fight mounted on horseback. Until the 20th century, cavalry were the most mob ...
regiment
A regiment is a military unit. Its role and size varies markedly, depending on the country, military service, service, or administrative corps, specialisation.
In Middle Ages, Medieval Europe, the term "regiment" denoted any large body of l ...
that served in the
Union Army during the
American Civil War
The American Civil War (April 12, 1861May 26, 1865; also known by Names of the American Civil War, other names) was a civil war in the United States between the Union (American Civil War), Union ("the North") and the Confederate States of A ...
.
Service
The 2nd Michigan Cavalry was organized at Grand Rapids,
Michigan
Michigan ( ) is a peninsular U.S. state, state in the Great Lakes region, Great Lakes region of the Upper Midwest, Upper Midwestern United States. It shares water and land boundaries with Minnesota to the northwest, Wisconsin to the west, ...
, on October 2, 1861. It numbered 1,163 officers and enlisted men upon completion of recruitment.
The 2nd Michigan Cavalry was initially placed in St. Louis at the
Benton Barracks with the
2nd Iowa Cavalry. The regiment trained and drilled at the Benton Barracks under the newly promoted Colonel Gordon Granger.
The 2nd Michigan Cavalry joined a newly formed cavalry brigade in John Pope's
Army of the Mississippi. At the Battle of Island Number Ten, Ltc. Seldon H. Gorham was acting as head of the regiment as Col.
Gordon Granger
Gordon Granger (November 6, 1821 – January 10, 1876) was a career U.S. Army officer, and a Union (American Civil War), Union general during the American Civil War, where he distinguished himself at the Battle of Chickamauga.
Granger is best re ...
was elevated to lead the brigade. The brigade consisted of two regiments, the 2nd Michigan and 3rd Michigan Cavalry. "Granger's 2nd Michigan Cavalry helped capture Point Pleasant, 12 miles southwest of New Madrid where the river could be blocked to prevent Confederate reinforcements coming up."
The regiment was mustered out of service on August 17, 1865.
Total strength and casualties
The regiment suffered 4 officers and 70 enlisted men killed in action or mortally wounded and 2 officers and 266 enlisted men who died of disease, for a total of 342
fatalities.
Commanders
*
Col. Gordon Granger
*
Col. Philip H. Sheridan
* Col. Archibald P. Campbell
See also
*
List of Michigan Civil War Units
*
Michigan in the American Civil War
Michigan made a substantial contribution to the Union during the American Civil War. While the state itself was far removed from the combat theaters of the war, Michigan supplied many troops and several generals, including George Armstrong Cus ...
Notes
References
The Civil War Archive
External links
*
Cavalry
Historically, cavalry (from the French word ''cavalerie'', itself derived from ''cheval'' meaning "horse") are groups of soldiers or warriors who Horses in warfare, fight mounted on horseback. Until the 20th century, cavalry were the most mob ...
1865 disestablishments in Michigan
1861 establishments in Michigan
Military units and formations established in 1861
Military units and formations disestablished in 1865
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