1st Missouri Cavalry Regiment
Provisional Government of Missouri
(Pro-Union)
ActiveSeptember 6, 1861 to September 1, 1865
CountryUnited States
AllegianceUnion
BranchCavalry
EngagementsAmerican Civil War

The 1st Missouri Volunteer Cavalry Regiment was a cavalry regiment with three battalions that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War from 1861 to 1865.[1][2][3]

Background

Missouri in the American Civil War was divided, with the southern and central portion of the state pro-Confederacy, and most of the rest pro-Union. By the end of the Civil War, Missouri had supplied nearly 110,000 troops to the Union and at least 40,000 troops for the Confederate Army with additional bands of pro–Confederate guerrillas.[4] There were battles and skirmishes in all areas of the state, from Iowa and the Illinois border in the northeast to the edge of the state in the southeast and southwest on the Arkansas border. Counting minor engagements, actions and skirmishes, Missouri saw over 1,200 distinct fights. Only Virginia and Tennessee exceeded Missouri in the number of clashes within the state's boundaries.[5][6]

By the War's end, some 447 Missouri Regiments like the 1st Missouri Cavalry Regiment fought for the Union.[7]

Service

Jefferson Barracks at the time of the Civil War.

The 1st Missouri Cavalry Regiment was organized at Jefferson Barracks located on the Mississippi River at Lemay, Missouri, south of St. Louis. The Regiment served and fought from September 6, 1861 until mustering out on September 1, 1865.[8]

The Regiment moved to Benton Barracks September 12, 1861 thence to Jefferson City, Missouri ON September 21 (5 Companies) for training. Other Companies moved to Jefferson City on October 4 and later joined the Regiment at Tipton, Missouri, October 19. It was later organized into 3 battalions.[1][8]

The Regiment served with the Expedition to Lexington October 5–16 (Companies "C" and "L"). Capture of Lexington October 16 (Companies "C" and "L"). Warrensburg, Missouri October 18. General Fremont's advance on Springfield, Missouri, October 20–26, 1861.[1][8]

1st Battalion (Companies "A," "C," "D" and "E") moved to Sedalia, Missouri, as escort to General David Hunter, November; thence to Fort Leavenworth in Kansas, and duty there until May, 1862. Attached to Dept. of Kansas November, 1861, to May, 1862. District of Southwest Missouri, Dept. of Missouri, to October, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, Army of the Frontier, Dept. of Missouri, to February, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, Army of the Frontier, to June, 1863. 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, District of Southeast Missouri, Dept. of Missouri, to August, 1863. Reserve Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Arkansas Expedition, to December, 1863. 1st Brigade, 1st Division Cavalry, Army of Arkansas, to January, 1864. 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, 7th Army Corps, Dept. of Arkansas, to May, 1864. 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 7th Army Corps, to September, 1864. (Regiment consolidated to 7 Cos. September 10, 1864.) 2nd Brigade, Cavalry Division, 7th Army Corps, to March, 1865. Separate Brigade, 7th Army Corps, to September, 1865.[1][8]

2nd Battalion (Companies. "B," "H," "I", and "L.") Moved to Otterville, Mo., November, 1861, and duty there until February, 1862. Expedition to Milford December 15–19. Shawnee Mound, Milford, Blackwater River, December 19. Roan's Tan Yard, Silver Creek, January 8, 1862. Joined 3rd Battalion at Lebanon February 9. Attached to 3rd Brigade, Army of Southwest Missouri, Dept. of Missouri, to February, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, Army of Southwest Missouri, to April, 1862. Cassville, Mo., District of Southwest Missouri, to October, 1862. (Detached from 3rd Battalion at Cassville, Mo., April 7.) Unattached, 2nd Division, Army of the Frontier, to January, 1863; then same as 1st Battalion. Advance on Springfield, Mo., February 13–16. Pursuit of Price to Fayetteville, Ark., February 13–16. Skirmish with Price's Rear Guard February 14–15. Bentonville February 17. Sugar Creek February 18. Reconnaissance to Berryville March 3–7. Battles of Pea Ridge March 7–8. Leetown March 7. Elkhorn Tavern March 8. Operations against Stan Wattee March 19–23. At Cross Timbers until April 6. Moved to Cassville April 6–7. Santa Fe Road April 14. Neosho April 26. Near Newtonia August 8. Union Mills August 20. Occupation of Newtonia October 4, Battle of Prairie Grove, Ark., December 7. Expedition over Boston Mountains December 27–29. Dripping Springs and capture of Van Buren December 28. (See 1st Battalion.)[1][8]

3rd Battalion (Companies "F," "G," "K" and "M."). Moved to Rolla, Mo., November, 1861. Expedition against Sam Freeman December --. Stein's Creek, LaClede County, January 1, 1862. Scouting on the Gasconade until January 15, 1862. Attached to 3rd Brigade, Army of Southwest Missouri, Dept. of Missouri, to April, 1862. 2nd Division, Army of Southwest Missouri, to July, 1862. District of Eastern Arkansas, Dept. of Missouri, to December, 1862. 1st Brigade, 3rd Cavalry Division, District of Eastern Arkansas, to January, 1863, Helena, Ark., District of Eastern Arkansas, 13th Army Corps, Dept. of Tennessee, to January, 1863. District Of Memphis, Tenn., 16th Army Corps, to March, 1863. 4th Brigade, District of Memphis, 5th Division, 16th Army Corps, to June, 1863. Dept. of Missouri to December, 1863. New Madrid, Mo., to September, 1864.[1][8]

A computer generated reproduction of the insignia of the Union Army cavalry branch. The insignia is displayed in gold and consists of two sheathed swords crossing over each other at a 45 degree angle pointing upwards
United States Cavalry branch insignia

Detailed service

The Regiment served, conducted operations and fought in mostly the Trans-Mississippi Theater of the American Civil War in the following areas as cited in "A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, V.III" by Frederick H. Dyer, 1908, pages 1301-1302.[1][8]

1st Battalion

The Grand Army of the Republic badge. Authorized by the U.S. Congress to be worn on the uniform by Union Army veterans.[9]

2nd & 3rd Battalions

  • The 2nd & 3rd Battalions conducted operations with the Curtis' Campaign in Southwest Missouri between January 15 and February 16, 1862.
  • Occupation of Lebanon January 26, 1862.
  • Reconnaissance beyond Bolivar February 6–9.
  • Bolivar February 8.
  • Advance on Springfield, Mo., February 10–13.
  • Pursuit of CSA Major General Sterling Price to Fayetteville, Arkansas, February 13–16.
  • Skirmish with Price's Rear Guard February 14–15.
  • Bentonville February 17.
  • Sugar Creek February 18.
  • Reconnaissance to Berryville March 3–7.
Plan of the Battlefield of Pea Ridge. The Battle of Pea Ridge (also known as the Battle of Elkhorn Tavern) fought between March 6–8, 1862, at Pea Ridge, Arkansas.
  • Battles of Pea Ridge March 6–9.
  • Leetown March 7.
  • Elkhorn Tavern March 8.
  • Operations against Stan Wattee March 1962.
  • At Cross Timbers until April 6.
  • Advance to Forsyth, thence to Batesville April 7-May 5. (Co. "F" detached as escort to General Jeff C. Davis May 10, 1862, and moved to Army of the Tennessee.) ***
  • March to Helena, Arkansas, May 25-July 14.
  • Big Indian Creek, White County, May 23.
  • Searcy, White County, May 27.
  • Taberville August 11.
  • Lagrange September 6.
  • Expedition to Lawrenceville and St. Charles September 11–13.
  • Expedition from Helena to Lagrange September 26.
  • Near Helena October 11.
  • Expedition from Helena to Moro November 5–8, 1862.
  • At Helena, Arkansas, until January 29, 1863.
  • Moved to Memphis, Tennessee, and duty there until June.
  • Carter's Creek Pike April 27.
  • Expedition to Hernando May 23–24 and May 26 (Detachments).
  • Scouts toward Hernando May 27–28 (Detachment).
  • Operations in Northwest Mississippi June 15–25.
  • Coldwater, near Hernando, June 19 (Detachment).
  • Hernando June 20.
  • Moved to St. Louis, Missouri, June 30-July 3; thence to Cape Girardeau escorting train July 20–27.
  • March to Bloomfield and return to Cape Girardeau August 1–6.
  • Expedition to Pocahontas August 17–27. Pocahontas August 24.
  • At Cape Girardeau and Pilot Knob until October 23, and at Bloomfield until December 14, 1863.
  • Moved to New Madrid, Missouri, and duty there until September 1864.
  • In swamps of Little River April 6, 1864.
  • Scout to Gainesville, Arkansas, May 10–25.
  • Expedition to Carruthersville July 5–10.
  • Operations in Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas July 18-August 6.

*** Company "F" served detached as escort to General Jeff C. Davis, commanding 4th Division, Army of Mississippi, to September 1862; then with Headquarters, 9th Division, 3rd Corps, Army of Ohio, to November 1862. 1st Division, Right Wing 14th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to January 1863. 1st Division, 20th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to October, 1863. At Headquarters, Dept. of Missouri, to August 1864. Siege of Corinth, Miss., April 29-May 30, 1862. Campaign against Bragg in Kentucky October 1862. Stone River Campaign December 1862-January 1863. Weem's Springs August 19, 1863.[8]

Roster

A roster of those who served with the 1st Missouri Volunteer Cavalry Regiment is available through the Missouri Digital Heritage. Some 2,922 names, with company designation and a link to a soldier record of service card provides more detail, are on the roster. Some names are duplicated and some may have been off this list. The link is here. Note: Care must be exercised not to confuse the Regiment with a Confederate States of America (CSA) unit of same name.[10]

Casualties

The Regiment lost 2 Officers and 51 Enlisted men killed or mortally wounded due to combat. A further 2 Officers and 179 Enlisted men lost their lives due to disease. Total 234.[8]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Missouri Digital Heritage (2007). "1st Regiment Cavalry Volunteers". Missouri Office of the Secretary of State • Missouri State Library • Missouri State Archives • The State Historical Society of Missouri. Retrieved July 12, 2015. NOTE: These records also refer to the National Archives and Records Administration; Carded Records Showing Military Service of Soldiers Who Fought in Volunteer Organizations During the American Civil War, compiled 1890 - 1912, documenting the period 1861 - 1866; Catalog ID: 300398; Record Group #: 94; Roll #: 724.
  2. ↑ Frederick H. Dyer (1908). "Missouri Volunteer Forces in the Civil War with Federal Service (Union): 1st Regiment Mo Cavalry". "A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, V.III". The Civil War Archive (on line). Retrieved July 13, 2015.
  3. ↑ Frederick H. Dyer (1908). "Union Missouri Volunteers: 1st Regiment, Missouri Cavalry". Citing: "A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, V.III". National Park Service (NPS.gov). Retrieved July 18, 2015.
  4. ↑ Piston, William Barrett. The Battle of Wilson's Creek and the Struggle for Missouri. American Battlefield Trust. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  5. ↑ Missouri Secretary of State, "Abstract of Wars & Military Engagements: War of 1812 through World War I"
  6. ↑ "Missouri Civil War Museum". Archived from the original on 2015-07-19. Retrieved 2015-07-19.
  7. ↑ "Civil War Archives - Missouri - Union Regimental Index". Civil War Archives. 2009. Retrieved July 19, 2015.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Frederick H. Dyer (1908). "1st Missouri Volunteer Cavalry Regiment". "A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, V.III". The Civil War Archive (on line). Retrieved July 13, 2015.
  9. ↑ 10 U.S.C. § 1123
  10. ↑ "1st Regiment Cavalry Volunteers - Roster". "A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, V.III". 1908. Retrieved July 19, 2015.
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