The first battalion of the regiment was organized at Henderson, Ky., by Major Jas. H. Holloway and mustered into the service September 13^th, 1862, by Captain V. N. Smith, United States Mustering Officer.

The second battalion was organized by Colonel Bristow at Russellville, Ky., and mustered into service by Captain T. E. Noell, September 8^th, 1862. This battalion was commanded by Major J. M. Kennedy.

The third battalion was recruited at Lebanon, Ky., by Major J. W. Weatherford, and mustered in at Russellville, Ky., by Captain T. E. Noell, September 8^th, 1862.

The whole regiment, numbering 1,248 men, was recruited and organized within the space of three weeks from the time authority was issued for same, and was composed of the very best material in the State. The line officers were competent and gallant soldiers, and, from the day of organization their respective commands were well disciplined and under perfect control.

The first battalion, under Major Holloway, commanded by Colonel Shackelford, remained at Henderson, Ky., during the months of September and October, 1862, and were constantly skirmishing with the rebel forces under Adam Johnson. This battalion, together with one or two companies of Indiana Cavalry, fought a large force under Adam Johnson, at Geiger’s Lake, and scattered them in every direction. In this engagement Colonel Shackelford received a severe and painful wound while leading a charge.

The second and third battalions, in the meanwhile, were engaged in a number of skirmishes with the rebel Colonel Woodward, and, finally, by a night march under Major Kennedy, they came upon his forces at Camp Coleman, in Todd county, Ky., dispersing the whole force.

Upon the invasion of Kentucky by Bragg, General Buell ordered the second and third battalions to join his command at Bowling Green, Ky. In conjunction with a part of the 4^th Kentucky Cavalry, were assigned to the responsible duty of guarding General Buell’s immense wagon train across Green river. Upon returning to Bowling Green two companies of the 8^th Cavalry were sent upon a scout into Tennessee, where they surprised and captured a party of over one hundred rebel soldiers who were engaged in collecting supplies for Bragg’s army.

In November, 1862, the first and second battalions were ordered to Russellville, Ky., and the third battalion ordered to Clarksville, Tenn., where it remained during the remainder of its term of enlistment, doing good service in repelling invasions and keeping open the Cumberland river, thus securing supplies to General Rosecrans’ army. During the winter and spring the first and second battalions were engaged in many skirmishes, and were assigned the duty of protecting the country west of the Nashville railroad.

In January, 1863, Colonel Shackelford was promoted Brigadier General, and Lieutenant Colonel B. H. Bristow was commissioned Colonel.

This regiment and a battalion of the 3^rd Kentucky Cavalry, under command of Colonel Bristow, were in pursuit of John Hunt Morgan in his raid through Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio, and did good service in that long and fatiguing march, and were present at the taking of the notorious raider.

The regiment was mustered out of service at Russellville, Ky., September 23^rd, 1863.

Source: Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Kentucky, Volume I., 1861-1866. Frankfort: McDowell Publications, Inc., 1984.