The regiment was organized in the summer of 1862 as three battalions, then consolidated under Col. James M. Shackelford. They did garrison duty, spread out from Clarksville, TN, through southern KY, and during the Confederate invasion of KY in the summer and fall of 1862, they guarded the wagon trains of the Federal army under Gen. Buell. They participated in the pursuit of Confederate Cavalry General John Hunt Morgan during his great raid thru KY-IN-OH and some one battalion of the 8th KY Cav was present at Morgan's surrender to General Shackelford at Buffington's Island, Ohio in July, 1863.
The Regiment was attached to the District of Louisville, KY., Department (Army) of the Ohio, in November, 1862. They were unattached at Bowling Green, District of Western Kentucky, Dept. (Army) of the Ohio, in June, 1863. Specifically, they were with the 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 23rd Army Corps, Army of Ohio, until August, 1863 and then unassigned at Bowling Green, KY. with the 1st Division, 23rd Army Corps, in September,1863.
(Information above provided by: Judy Shamp)
Service Record & Engagements:
The Regiment saw duty at Russellsville, Bowling Green and Hopkinsville, KY., District of West Kentucky, and at Clarksville, Tenn., operating against guerrillas, until September, 1863. Actions at Morganfield, KY. (August 3, 1862), Madisonville (August 25), Morganfield (September 1), Geiger's Lake (September 3), Near Madisonville (September 4), Ashbysburg (September 25), Henderson County (November 1), Greenville Road (November 5), Garrettsburg (November 6), Rural Hill,Tenn. (November 18), Near Nashville, Tenn.(January 28, 1863), Expedition from Bowling Green, KY. to Tennessee State Line (May 2-6), Operations against Morgan's Men (July 2-26), Buffington's Island, Ohio (July 19). The mustered out September 23, 1863.
(Information above provided by: Judy Shamp)
Casualties:
The Regiment lost 1 Officer and 8 Enlisted men Killed In Action or mortally wounded, 4 Officers and 104 Enlisted men died due to disease. Total 117.
History:
