First Cavalry. - Cols., Owen P. Ransom, Minor Milliken,

Beroth B. Eggleston; Lieut.-Cols., Thomas C. H. Smith, James

Laughlin, Valentine Cupp, Thomas J. Pattin, Stephen C. Writer;

Majs., Michael W. Smith, Erasmus B. Dennison, David A. B.

Moore, James N. Scott, John C. Frankeberger, William McBurney.

This regiment was organized at Camp Chase from Aug. 17 to Oct.

5, 1861, to serve for three years. About the middle of Septem-

ber, Cos. A and C were ordered to western Virginia, whence, af-

ter performing considerable service in that department, they

were ordered to the Shenandoah Valley and attached to the com-

mands of Shields, Banks and Kilpatrick. They participated in

many of the sanguinary engagements around the capital and did

not return to the regiment until the spring of 1864. In Decem-

ber the regiment broke camp and proceeded by rail and steamboat

to Louisville, being the first regiment of cavalry to enter

that department. It participated in the advance upon Corinth,

having frequent skirmishes with the enemy, and after the eva-

cuation it joined in pursuit of Beauregard's army, going as far

as Booneville. During this pursuit it had four sharp engage-

ments with the enemy but with little loss. The regiment was

constantly engaged in scouting and keeping the country clear of

bushwhackers and guerrillas, and a detachment sent out from

Tuscumbia, Ala., had a severe engagement with Roddey's Confed-

erate command near Russellville, and although successful suf-

fered severely. In July Courtland was attacked by a large

force of Confederate cavalry under Gen. Anderson, when two com-

panies of the 10th Ky. infantry and Cos. E and K of the 1st

Ohio cavalry engaged the enemy, holding him for a considerable

time, but were compelled to retire, the enemy having captured

the infantry and 21 of the cavalry. Returning to Kentucky with

Buell's army, a battalion moved from Louisville in October,

captured 25 prisoners in an engagement near Bardstown, and then

took the advance on the Perryville road, carrying it with great

gallantry. On the first day of the battle of Stone's river the

regiment made a heroic charge against a foe flushed with suc-

cess and continued the remaining two days until the victory was

complete. On Sept. 19, 1863, the regiment arrived on the Chi-

ckamauga battle-field and was immediately led into the fight,

its loss in the engagement being severe. It was then stationed

at Washington, Tenn., for the purpose of guarding the Tennessee

river, and while there the Confederate Gen. Wheeler, with 8,000

cavalry, broke through Gen. Crook's lines. The Confederate ad-

vance was met by a battalion of the 1st cavalry under Maj.

Scott and a severe engagement followed, in which 26 men of the

battalion were wounded and captured. While on a raid toward

Chattanooga in November, the regiment had a severe engagement

with the enemy at Cleveland, losing 15 men, but inflicting on

the enemy a loss of at least 50. At Calhoun a town on the

Hiawassee river, in December, Gen. Wheeler, with 2,800 men, at-

tacked a wagon-train and this was followed by a brisk engage-

ment, in which the Confederates lost 25 killed, 80 wounded and

131 taken prisoners. This brilliant affair cost the cavalry

but 1 man killed and 3 wounded. A sufficient number re-enlist-

ing, it became a veteran regiment and after a furlough of 30

days was back in the ranks ready for duty. In May, 1864, it

crossed the Tennessee river at Decatur and three days thereaf-

ter participated in the severe engagement at Moulton, resulting

in the complete defeat of Gen. Roddey, who had made an attack

with a force of six regiments and a battery of artillery. The

regiment lost in this engagement about 20 men killed and

wounded. It then remained and acted with the main army up to

and for some time after the fall of Atlanta, being employed

mainly in covering the movements and protecting the flanks.

When surrounded by the enemy at Lovejoy's Station the regiment

particularly distinguished itself by holding in check for some

time a large part of Cleburne's Confederate infantry division,

with a loss of 50 men. It also took part in the movement which

resulted in the evacuation of Atlanta by the Confederates. The

regiment charged a 3-gun battery at Ebenezer Church, in April,

1865, and Forrest's far-famed horsemen were routed in 20 min-

utes. On April 2 Selma, Ala., was taken; on the 9th the com-

mand began crossing the Alabama; on the 12 and 13th it rested

in Montgomery; took up its march on the 14th toward Columbus,

Ga.; the next day Buford's division was driven ahead; on the

16th the advance of the regiment struck the enemy near Craw-

ford, Ga., and charged them for 9 miles across the Ogeechee

river. It was also engaged in the night assault upon Columbus,

the capture of the works the saving of the two bridges which

opened up the city, its arsenals and factories, and gave as the

result of one of the most desperate night assaults ever made

1,200 prisoners and 96 cannon. The regiment then garrisoned

Georgia and South Carolina until mustered out - Cos. A to E,

inclusive, and M on Sept. 13, 1865, at Hilton Head, S. C., and

Co. L on Sept. 26, 1865, at Nashville, Tenn.

Source: The Union Army, vol. 2

Stone's River after battle report:

Report of Maj. James Laughlin, First Ohio Cavalry,

of operations January 1-5.

CAMP FIRST OHIO VOLUNTEER CAVALRY, Near

Murfreesborough, Tenn., January 6, 1863.

SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the First Ohio

Volunteer Cavalry:

On the morning of January 1, I was ordered to take command of the

regiment, and was immediately ordered in the rear of Stewart's Creek

and on the right, on picket or outpost duty. In the evening I was ordered

back in front of Stewart's Creek and on the right, to stand on picket for

the night.

On the morning of the 2d, I was ordered to advance my regiment

forward on the right, which I did, and found the enemy in my front, and

skirmished with them until dark. I was then ordered into camp for the

night.

The morning of the 3d, I was ordered to march my regiment to the rear

of Stewart's Creek, with I did. In the evening I was ordered to join my

command with the Fourth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry and make a

reconnaissance on our left, which was done, and we returned to camp

the same night.

Remained in camp on the 4th until evening; was ordered to the front,

and left to guard the railroad bridge for the night.

On the morning of the 5th went on scout beyond Murfreesborough, on

the Shelbyville pike, and returned, no casualties having happened during

the time included.

Your most obedient,

JAMES LAUGHLIN,

Maj., Cmdg. First Ohio Volunteer Cavalry.

Col. L. ZAHM,

Cmdg. Second Cavalry Brigade.

Report of Capt. Valentine Cupp, First Ohio Cavalry,

including skirmishes at Franklin, December 26, Wilkinson's

Cross-Roads, December 29, and Overall's Creek, December 31.

HDQRS. FIRST OHIO VOLUNTEER CAVALRY, January 6, 1863.

December 26, left Nashville for Franklin; arrived at Franklin at 3 p. m.;

found the enemy occupying the town; drove them from it and proceeded

to Wilson's Creek pike, and encamped for the night.

December 27, left camp at 8 o'clock; proceeded toward Triune; struck

the enemy's pickets within 5 miles of Triune; drove in their pickets,

captured 6, and returned to the camp occupied the previous night.

December 28, left camp at 8 o'clock for Triune, where we encamped.

December 29, left camp at 9 o'clock on a reconnaissance toward

Murfreesborough. Struck the enemy's scouts when within 1 mile of

Stewart's Creek, when active skirmishing commenced and continued until

sundown, having driven the enemy's cavalry at least 3 1/2 miles. One

man missing while crossing Stewart's Creek. At sundown we retired

back across Stewart's Creek and encamped.

December 30, skirmished with the enemy all day on the right of Gen.

Johnson's division, driving the enemy's cavalry wherever they made

their appearance, and retired and encamped in the camp occupied by us

the night before.

December 31, at 7 a. m., I was ordered by you to take two companies

and make a thorough reconnaissance up the creek in the woods on our

right. After throwing out skirmishers into the woods, I received orders

from you to withdraw my command as soon as possible, for the enemy

were advancing in force on my left. I immediately withdrew at full

speed, and passed the enemy's left (infantry) within 150 yards under

heavy fire, slightly wounding only 1 man and 2 horses. After passing

their flank half a mile, I discovered your brigade formed in line of battle

in the corn-field on the opposite side of the creek. Being unable to join

my regiment at this point, I proceeded down the creek half a mile and

crossed, joining the brigade on the right (my regimental was on the

left), retiring slowly in column of fours. After retiring half a mile, we

were again formed in line of battle, and remained until we were under

a heavy fire from the enemy's artillery, when we were compelled to

retire. Here the brave and heroic Maj. D. A. B. Moore fell, mortally

wounded. We then retired across a corn-field, the enemy in full and fast

pursuit, with at least three times our number, when we again formed,

receiving three heavy charges from the enemy's cavalry, but repulsed

them every time with a fire from our carbines. Their artillery was still

open on us. We then retired through the woods toward the Nashville

pike, when we formed in a corn-field. The enemy (cavalry and infantry)

immediately appearing, our noble commander, Col. Minor Milliken,

ordered our regiment, five companies, to charge them. Being unable to

hold his position after the charge, he ordered the regiment to retire,

when he received the fatal shot that killed him instantly. About this time

Second Lieut. Condit was killed, and our adjutant, First Lieut.

William Scott, fell seriously wounded. The companies then retired to the

pike and crossed Stewart's Creek on the pike. I found myself in

command, and repulsed the enemy, who had pursued to the creek and

taken possession of our wagon train, killing 2 and wounding 4. At this

time the brigade came across the creek and organized.

January 1, at 9 a. m., Maj. Laughlin reported for duty and took

command of the regiment.

RECAPITULATION OF CASUALTIES.

Commissioned officers killed ................................. 3

Privates killed .............................................. 2

Commissioned officers wounded ................................ 1

Privates wounded ............................................. 10

Commissioned officers missing (surgeon) ...................... 1

Privates missing ............................................. 14

---

Total......................................................... 31

Respectfully submitted.

VALENTINE CUPP,

Capt., Cmdg. First Ohio Volunteer Cavalry.

Col. L. ZAHM,

Comdg. Second Cav. Brig., First Div., 14th Army Corps.

Source: Official Records

CHAP. XXXII.] THE STONE'S RIVER CAMPAIGN. PAGE 641-29

[Series I. Vol. 20. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 29.]

Chickamagua after battle report:

Report of Lieut. Col. Valentine Cupp, First Ohio Cavalry.

HDQRS. FIRST OHIO CAVALRY,

Camp Crook, September 1, 1863.

COL.: I have the honor to submit to you the following report of the First

Ohio Cavalry on the scout, August 29, 1863:

In compliance with orders received from Col. Eli Long commanding

Second Brigade, Second Division, cavalry command, I proceeded up the

river to Moore's Spring (9 miles), meeting with no resistance until within 1

mile of Moore's Spring, but observed numerous picket posts the enemy had

just left, the citizens on the route informing me the enemy's pickets were on

the road just in advance of my advance guard.

When within 1 mile of Moore's Spring, Mr. Moore informed me that Capt.

Rice, in command of a company of 150 men of the Third Confederate

Cavalry, were encamped on the side of the mountain on the road leading

from Bridgeport to Trenton, Ga., and that Col. Estes, of the Third

Confederate Cavalry, was encamped 2 miles on same road with his

regiment, supposed to number 400. While in conversation with Mr. Moore

my advance guard was fired on by the enemy. Capt. Frankeberger,

Company G, who had the advance, immediately ordered a charge,

completely routing and demoralizing them to such an extent that the company

on the side of the mountain fled ins such confusion as to leave a great many

of their arms, &c., stacked against the trees, and made no resistance to

prevent me gaining possession of top of the mountain, save, perhaps, ten or

twelve shots.

After gaining the top of the mountain, I pursued them as fast as possible

(keeping my flanks well protected) until within half a mile of Col. Estes'

camp, when my advance was again fired on. My advance charged them

again and charged into the camp, but the colonel had left with his command

a few moments before my advance reached the camp, leaving clothing,

cooking utensils, commissary stores, and their dinners cooking on the fire;

everything indicating a very hasty evacuation. I pursued them until I reached

John E. Price's farm, the point at which I was ordered to join the brigade.

I destroyed 20 stand of arms (short rifles), killed 1 man, and captured 6

prisoners.

Respectfully submitted.

VALENTINE CUPP,

Lieut.-Col., Comdg. First Ohio Cavalry.

Col. ELI LONG,

Comdg. Second Brigade.

Source: Official Records

PAGE 928-50 KY., SW. VA., TENN., MISS., ALA., AND N. GA. [CHAP. XLII.

[Series I. Vol. 30. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 50.]

Organized: on 8/1/61

Mustered Out: 9/13/65 at Hilton Head, SC

Officers Killed or Mortally Wounded: 6

Officers Died of Disease, Accidents, etc.: 3

Enlisted Men Killed or Mortally Wounded: 45

Enlisted Men Died of Disease, Accidents, etc.: 150

(Source: Fox, Regimental Losses)