8th Ohio Cavalry

compiled by Larry Stevens

References for this Unit

Samuel A. Gilbert
44th Ohio Infantry & 8th Ohio Cavalry

History

This Regiment was organized March 28, 1864, from the veterans and recruits of the 44th Ohio Infantry, under Colonel Samuel A. Gilbert, for three years service. Colonels Alpheus S. Moore and Wesley Owens afterwards commanded. The Regiment proceeded to West Virginia, and in June joined Averill's raid on Lynchburg, skirmishing with the enemy in the advance and on the return. At Liberty it lost 71 men. At Beverly in October it was surrounded by the enemy, but drove the Rebels off in a hand to hand fight. In the meantime a detachment of the Regiment, under Colonel Moore, served in the Shenandoah Valley, fighting at Winchester, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek. On the 11th of January, 1865, the camp of the Regiment was suprised and over 500 officers and men were captured. They were marched through snow, barefooted, and with scarcely any food, to Staunton, where they were loaded on stock cars and sent to Libby Prison. The sufferings of the men were dreadful at the hands of a cruel and relentless foe. They were exchanged in February, and in August, 1865, the Regiment was mustered out of service.

From Dyer's Compendium

8th Regiment Cavalry. Organized from 44th Ohio Infantry January 4, 1864. Regiment organizing at Camp Dennison, Ohio, January to May, 1864. Six Companies moved to Charleston, W. Va., April 26 and balance of Regiment to same place May 8, 1864. Attached to 1st Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division, Army of West Virginia (a detachment at Beverly, W. Va., July to December, 1864), to December, 1864. Reserve Division, West Virginia, Beverly and Clarksburg, W. Va., to April, 1865. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, West Virginia, to July, 1865.
SERVICE.--March to Lewisburg May 29. Hunter's Raid to Lynchburg May 29-July 1, 1864. Action at Lexington June 11. Buchanan June 13. New London June 16. Diamond Hill June 17. Lynchburg June 17-18. Retreat to White Sulphur Springs June 18-25. Liberty June 19. Buford's Gap June 20. About Salem June 21. Moved from White Sulphur Springs to Beverly, W. Va., and duty there till January, 1865. Action near Huttonsville August 5, 1864. Action near Moorefield August 7, 1864. Moorefield and Huttonsville August 24 (Cos. "A," "C," "H" and "K" captured). Action at Beverly October 29. A detachment participated in actions at Stephenson's Depot or Newtown July 22, 1864. Battle of Winchester, Kernstown, July 24. Martinsburg July 25. Hagerstown, Md., July 29. Hancock, Md., July 31. McConnelsburg, Pa., July 31. Williamsport August 26. Martinsburg, W. Va., August 31. Bunker Hill September 2-3. Darkesville September 10. Bunker Hill September 13. Near Berryville September 14. Near Martinsburg September 18. Battle of Opequan, Winchester, September 19. Fisher's Hill September 22. Mt. Jackson September 23-24. Forest Hill or Timberville September 24. Port Republic September 28. North Shenandoah October 6. Luray Valley October 7. Battle of Cedar Creek October 19. Dry Run October 20. Milford October 25-26. Ninevah November 12. Rude's Hill near Mt. Jackson November 22. Detachment rejoined Regiment at Beverly, W. Va., December 1, 1864. Action at Beverly January 11, 1865. Mostly captured January 11. Paroled February 15 and mustered out as prisoners of war June, 1865, except the four Mounted Companies which were stationed at Clarksburg, W. Va., till July. Scout to Carrick's Ford March 14-16. Expedition through Pocohontas and Pendleton Counties June 1-13. Mustered out July 30, 1865. Regiment lost during its service (both as 44th Ohio Infantry and 8th Ohio Cavalry) 3 Officers and 53 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 1 Officer and 113 Enlisted men by disease. Total 210.

Thanks to Dr. Richard A. Sauers for the initial research and indexing of the National Tribune articles.

More about the Civil War in Ohio.

Copyright © 1995 Larry Stevens

Last updated September 9 2006