2nd Maine Volunteer Cavalry Regiment
Encyclopedia
The 2nd Maine Volunteer Cavalry Regiment was an cavalry
regiment
that served in the Union Army
during the American Civil War
.
November 30, 1863 through January 2, 1864 and mustered in for three years' service under the command of Colonel
Ephraim W. Woodman.
The regiment was attached to District of La Fourche, Department of the Gulf, to July 1864. Pensacola, Florida, District of West Florida, Department of the Gulf, to October 1864. 2nd Brigade, District of West Florida, Department of the Gulf, to February 1865. 2nd Brigade, Lucas' Cavalry Division, Steele's Command, Military Division of West Mississippi, to April 1865. District of Florida to December 1865.
The 2nd Maine Cavalry mustered out of service December 6, 1865 and was discharged December 21, 1865 in Augusta.
Cavalry
Cavalry or horsemen were soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback. Cavalry were historically the third oldest and the most mobile of the combat arms...
regiment
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
that served in the Union Army
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
.
Service
The 2nd Maine Cavalry was organized in Augusta, MaineAugusta, Maine
Augusta is the capital of the US state of Maine, county seat of Kennebec County, and center of population for Maine. The city's population was 19,136 at the 2010 census, making it the third-smallest state capital after Montpelier, Vermont and Pierre, South Dakota...
November 30, 1863 through January 2, 1864 and mustered in for three years' service under the command of Colonel
Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, colonel is a senior field grade military officer rank just above the rank of lieutenant colonel and just below the rank of brigadier general...
Ephraim W. Woodman.
The regiment was attached to District of La Fourche, Department of the Gulf, to July 1864. Pensacola, Florida, District of West Florida, Department of the Gulf, to October 1864. 2nd Brigade, District of West Florida, Department of the Gulf, to February 1865. 2nd Brigade, Lucas' Cavalry Division, Steele's Command, Military Division of West Mississippi, to April 1865. District of Florida to December 1865.
The 2nd Maine Cavalry mustered out of service December 6, 1865 and was discharged December 21, 1865 in Augusta.
Detailed service
Left Maine April 1864. Duty in the Defenses of New Orleans, La., until May 26, 1864. Moved to Thibodeaux, La., May 26. Duty there and scout and picket duty in the District of La Fourche by detachments until July 27. (Companies A, D, and G detached and moved to Alexandria, La., April 16-21. Red River Campaign April 21-May 22. Duty at Alexandria, La., until May 13. Retreat to Morganza May 13-22, Marksville or Avoyelle's Prairie May 15. Mansura May 16. Yellow Bayou May 18. Rejoined regiment at Thibodeaux June 1.) Moved to Algiers, then to Pensacola, Fla., July 27-August 11, and duty there until March 1865. Milton, Fla., August 25, 1864. Expedition from Barrancas to Marianna September 18-October 4. Euche Anna C. H. September 23. Marianna September 27. Expedition up Blackwater Bay October 25-28. Milton October 26. Expedition from Barrancas to Pine Barren Creek November 16-17. Pine Barren Creek November 17. Expedition to Pollard, Ala., December 13-19. Bluff Springs and Pollard December 15. Escanabia Bridge December 15-16. Pine Barren Ford December 17-18. (A detachment at Pascagoula, Miss., December 1864 to February 6, 1865.) Expedition from Barrancas to Milton February 22-25, 1865. Milton February 23. Steele's march to Mobile, Ala., March 18-31. (Dismounted men remained at Barrancas, Fla.) Near Evergreen March 24. Muddy Creek, Ala., March 26. Near Blakely April 1. Siege of Fort Blakely April 1-9. Assault and capture of Fort Blakely April 9. Occupation of Mobile April 12, March to Montgomery April 13-25. Duty in Alabama with XVI Corps until August, and in western and middle Florida by detachments to December.Casualties
The regiment lost a total of 344 men during service; 2 officers and 8 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded, 334 enlisted men died of disease.Notable members
- Lieutenant ColonelLieutenant Colonel (United States)In the United States Army, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of major and just below the rank of colonel. It is equivalent to the naval rank of commander in the other uniformed services.The pay...
Andrew B. Spurling - Medal of HonorMedal of HonorThe Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
recipient for action at Evergreen, Alabama, March 23, 1865
See also
- List of Maine Civil War units
- Maine in the American Civil WarMaine in the American Civil WarDuring the American Civil War, the state of Maine was a source of military manpower, supplies, ships, arms, and political support for the Union Army...