2D OHIO VOLUNTEER CAVALRY

The 2D OHIO VOLUNTEER CAVALRY, 1861-65, was organized at Camp Wade (see CIVIL WAR CAMPS IN CLEVELAND) during Aug.-Sept. 1861. The regiment, which contained 317 Cleveland men, was mustered into federal service in the CIVIL WAR on 10 Oct. 1861. It was initially transferred to Camp Dennison near Cincinnati, where it remained until Jan. 1862. 

The 2d served in nearly every theater of the war, from Indian Territory to Tennessee to Virginia. During their first year of service, the regiment was on scout duty along the Missouri border, and was involved in numerous skirmishes throughout 1862. They were involved in the pursuit of Gen. John Hunt Morgan, and in Burnside’s East Tennessee Campaign. By 1864 they had been assigned to the 9th Army Corps, which was transferred east to become part of the Army of the Potomac. They arrived in time to participate in the battles of the Wilderness and Spotsylvania Courthouse during Grant’s Overland Campaign, and would see further action during Sheridan’s Shenandoah Valley Campaign, Cold Harbor, and Appomattox. 

The regiment was mustered out and its men discharged on 12 October 1865. The 2d Cavalry lost 7 officers and 76 enlisted men to hostile causes and 5 officers and 179 men to disease.

The 2d is notable for its six Medal of Honor recipients: Isaac Gause for action near Berryville, VA, Albert Clapp, Heinrich/Henry Hoffman, John Hughey, Smith Larimer, and William Richardson for action at the battle of Sailor’s Creek. Five of these were for the capture of enemy battle flags. The one exception, William Richardson, received his medal for escaping capture and bringing “information of great importance as to the enemy’s position and the approaches thereto” back to his lines. 

Unit Assignments:

Updated by Meghan Schill