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Sixth Kentucky Cavalry
Donated by Kentucky Dept., SUVCW, Member Timothy Downey
The 1st Battalion of this regiment, being Companies A, B, C, D and E, was
organized at Lexington during the month of October, 1861, under Maj. Reuben
Mundy, and for a considerable time served independently, being known as Mundy's
Battalion. It mustered into service at Camp Irvine, near Louisville, by Maj. W.
H. Sidell. It was immediately assigned to the division of the Army of the Ohio,
commanded by Gen. Geo. W. Morgan.
In the first days of January, 1862, this battalion, being in Gen. Carter's
brigade of Gen. Geo. W. Morgan's command, went on an expedition from Central
Kentucky in the direction of Cumberland Gap. With this brigade was the 16th
Ohio, Col. DeCourcy, and the 49th Ind., Col. Ray. The march was by way of London
and Cumberland Ford. Mundy's battalion was the cavalry force of the expedition.
In February it made its way near to the Gap, and, February 14th, Mundy's cavalry
made an attack on the enemy at the Gap, inflicting loss and taking some
prisoners. March 23d, Gen. Carter's force moved in the direction of Big Creek
Gap. Then, co-operating with Gen. Morgan's other forces, Cumberland Gap was
taken June 18, 1862. Mundy's battalion remained on duty in that section during
the summer of 1862; in the latter part of the summer and in September, Gen.
Bragg made his invasion into Kentucky; and at the same time Gen. Kirby Smith
entered by way of Barboursville, and Humphrey Marshall in the eastern part.
These movements compelled Gen. Morgan to give up Cumberland Gap, and move across
Eastern Kentucky to the Ohio river. October 12th, Gen. Morgan reports Mundy's
battalion still with him, "though worn down with hard service." He further says:
"The Kentucky regiments are all well commanded and in good condition, and will
do good service wherever they are tried." He had in his command the 3d, 14th,
19th and 22d Infantry, Mundy's battalion and Neville's battery. This battalion
being the only organized cavalry in this division, the duties were very arduous,
being scouting, picketing, conveying dispatches, making reconnaissances, all of
which were difficult and dangerous in that mountain region.
>From Cumberland Gap the march was across the country, and Mundy's battalion,
after accompanying the infantry nearly to the Ohio, was sent toward Richmond,
reaching Big Hill and Rogersville before the enemy, and participated in the
fighting at those places, a materially aided in the retreat of Metcalf's 7th Ky.
Cavalry and other troops to Lexington, and thence to Louisville.
During the summer of 1862 the other battalions of the 6th. Cavalry were
organized in the central part of Kentucky, under Col. D. J. Hallisy. In
September, Companies F, G, H, I, K, L and M were nominally consolidated with
Mundy's battalion, thus making the 6th Cava1ry; D. J. Hallisy being colonel and
Reuben Mundy lieutenant-colonel. At that time the 1st Battalion, under Maj. W.
H. Fidler, was sent to Leitchfield, Ky., and skirmished with the cavalry of
Bragg's army. The 2d Battalion, under Col. Hallisy, went to Bardstown, and there
encountered Morgan's Confederate cavalry. The 3d, under Maj. L. A. Gratz, went
to Stanford, and was instrumental in capturing prisoners from Bragg's army. It
also broke up a band of guerrillas infesting that section.
In November, the 1st Battalion was ordered to Louisa to report to Col. Cranor:
December 9th it was ordered to Mt. Sterling.
Thus the 6th Cavalry in the first part of its service operated by battalions and
the 1st engaged in a number of severe fights, among them Tazewell, Tenn.,
Cumberland Gap and Richmond.
December, 1862, the regiment was all together at Lebanon, Ky. and in the latter
part of the month was engaged in the pursuit of Morgan, who then invaded
Kentucky. At this time Col. Hoskins, of the 12th Ky. Infantry, commanded a
considerable force at Lebanon and vicinity, having under him the 6th Cavalry, He
reports Col. Hallisy pursuing Morgan from Springfield, through Lebanon, in the
direction of Columbia and Burksville. At New Market, a little town near
Campbellsville, a fight occurred in which Col. Hallisy was killed, December 31,
1862. But for this unfortunate event greater damage would have been done to
Morgan; as it was, about 200 of his men were captured and 500 horses.
January 30, 1863, the 6th was ordered to join the Army of the Cumberland, at
Nashville. February 1st, Louis D. Watkins was commissioned colonel of the
regiment. In the organization of the army the 6th was under Maj. Louis A. Grazt,
was in Stanley's corps, Granger's division, and in the same brigade with the 4th
Ky. Cavalry, Col. Wickliffe Cooper; 5th Ky. Cavalry, Col. Hoblitzell; the 7th
Ky. Cavalry, Lieut.-Col. Thos. T. Vimont; Col. Watkins commanding the brigade.
During February, March, April and May the 6th was stationed at Franklin and
Brentwood, Tenn., engaged in protecting the right flank of Rosecran's army. In
March, Forrest attacked a small force of infantry at Brentwood and captured it.
Gen. Granger, whose headquarters were at Franklin, dispatched a cavalry force,
under Gen. Green Clay Smith, to the place, and Gen. Smith in his report, says
the enemy were overtaken about 3 1-2 miles from Brentwood, where a running fire
was begun, and kept up 2 1-2 miles, we captured all the wagons and mules and 500
guns. About six miles from Brentwood he encountered a large force and an
engagement took place lasting an hour and a half. Three charges were made on the
6th Ky. and 2d Mich., and all were repulsed; but Gen. Smith, finding he was
outnumbered, was compelled to fall back, taking what he had captured, He says in
his report: "I can not speak too earnestly of the coolness, courage and daring
of Col. L. D. Watkins' 6th Ky. Cavalry; attention is also called to the
unexceptionable conduct of Maj. W. H. Fidler and Lieuts. George Williams, Dan
Cheatham and Lieut. Mead, 6th Ky."
Gen. Rosecrans, in his report of this affair, says "the cavalry appear to have
behaved gallantly. I am glad to observe and call attention to the evidences of
its increasing effectiveness."
Also in an order he expressed his "thanks to Gen. Smith and the officers and men
under him, for the spirit and gallantry of their behavior." Lieut. Geo.
Williams, Sergts. John Fowler and Jonathan McKelvy were mentioned on dress
parade for their gallantry on this field.
The service of the 6th was very active in the spring and summer of 1863. March
8th it aided in driving the enemy beyond Thompson's Station; during the mouth of
April the 6th marched from Brentwood to Franklin, and attacked some Texas
troops, capturing the camp with, its horses, wagons and 120 men. This exploit is
mentioned by Gen. Henry M. Cist, in Scribner's Campaigns of the War. He says:
"Col. Louis D. Watkins, on the 27th day of April, 1863, made a gallant charge on
the Texas Legion, encamped close to Van Dorn's main command, near Spring Hill.
Dashing in upon the enemy early in the morning he was among them before they
could rally for defense, capturing 128 prisoners, over 300 animals and their
camp equipage, without the loss of a man."
Another brush with the enemy occurred near Franklin, May 1st. On the 2d of June
the regiment moved from Brentwood and on the 4th was at Triune. There orders
were received to hasten to Franklin, where the enemy had appeared. Proceeding in
a gallop, with the 2d Mich., they reached Franklin in time to assist the 4th and
7th Ky. Cavalry, and all together succeeded in gaining a decided victory; this
affair is mentioned in the account of the 4th and 7th.
June 20th the command left Franklin and entered upon a series of movements
leading up to the Chickamauga campaign.
July 3d Col. Watkins reported his brigade to Gen. Sheridan, at Cowan's Station.
Gen. Sheridan had some days previously started from Murfreesboro on an
expedition through Hoover's Gap, Tullahoma, Winchester and other places. On the
5th he sent Col. Watkins in the direction of Stevenson, on a reconnaissance. he
says in his report: "This reconnoissance was very handsomely executed by Col.
Watkins, who drove the enemy about three miles, inflicting loss." Col. Watkins,
in his report, says he made a reconnoissance toward University, where he
encountered the enemy, losing Lieut. Wm. Murphy and four men killed, and Lieut.
Kimbrough and four men wounded. July 5th he proceeded within 20 miles of
Bridgeport. Then, passing through Decherd and Salem, remained stationary a short
time at Winchester. Through the months of July and August the Confederate forces
were steadily pushed, until they crossed the Tennessee river. The cavalry of
Rosecran's army crossed the Tennessee, about the 1st of September, at Caperton's
Ferry and continued forcing the enemy in the direction of Chattanooga. September
10th Col. Watkins, with his brigade, moved on the Summerville road, and charged
the pickets, taking that place wiith 16 prisoners. September 12th he was near
Alpine, Ga.
September 19th the 6th, with Col. Watkins' other regiments, was desperately
engaged in the battle of Chickamauga, at Crawfish Springs. Col. Watkins reports
the 6th, under Maj. Gratz, as fighting and slowly falling back, as it was
repeatedly flanked. He says: "Too much credit can not be given the 4th and 6th
Ky. cavalry." The 6th lost two officers, Lieut. Mead killed, and one wounded,
and 120 men, including prisoners; six were killed. Chaplain Milton C. Clark was
wounded.
September 24th, the 6th was at Sevely Springs, Lieut. Roper commanding;
September 28th, at Bellefonte; October 1st, at Caperton's Ferry, where it forded
the river to the north side. It remained in that vicinity through October and
November.
In the organization of the army in December, after the capture of Mission Ridge,
the 6th was in Gen. Ed McCook's division, Watkins' Brigade - that brigade still
consisting of the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th Ky. In the first part of January 1864,
the 6th re-enlisted in the veteran organization at Rossville, Ga., and the men
were granted 30 days furlough. They returned to Kentucky, and rendezvoused on
the 22d of February, at Lexington.
In March the regiment moved to Nashville, and in April it was at Chattanooga,
preparatory to the Atlanta campaign, It participated with the cavalry in that
campaign, but the limits of this sketch do not admit of detailed mention of its
services. It was emp1oyed to operate against the confederate cavalry and protect
the railroad on which Sherman's army depended. In May it was at Wauhatchie; in
June at Lafayette. It was engaged in a severe fight at Pigeon mountain; also at
Adairville and Calhoun.
On the 24th of June detachments of the 4th, 6th and 7th Ky. Cavalry were at
Lafayette, Ga., under Col. Watkins and were attacked by Gen. Pillow, with 3,000
men. About 3 a. m. the enemy charged into the town, but Col. Watkins was on the
alert. The 4th Ky. men, under Capt. Bacon, took possession of the court house,
and Watkins, with the 6th Ky. men, under Maj. W. H. Fidler, met the enemy in the
street. Furious fighting occurred. Watkins and the 6th Ky. men also got into the
court house and, barricading the doors and windows, fought off the enemy. Gen.
Pillow demanded a surrender, which was declined, and the fighting was renewed
with increased fury. In the midst of it another regiment of Kentuckians
appeared. Col. Croxton, with the 4th Ky. Mounted Infantry, dashed in upon
Pillow's men and caused them to retreat in a manner that was nothing less than a
panic. Watkins mounted his men and pursued about 5 miles, capturing a number of
prisoners. Of the 6th, four men were killed and six men wounded.
In August, September and October the 6th was at Resaca and vicinity, guarding
the railroad. In November it was ordered to Louisville, Ky., to equip, and was
in camp a short time on the Bardstown road. The advance of Hood into Tennessee
caused it to move hurriedly to Nashville, December 4th, and it camped then at
Edgefield until December 12th, being still in the same brigade in the cavalry
command of Gen. J. H. Wilson.
At that time Hood was in his lines in front of Nashville, and he sent Gen. Lyon
with a large cavalry force to enter Kentucky by way of Hopkinsville, and move to
the rear of Gen. Thomas' army, destroying his communications. Against Lyon, Gen.
Wilson dispatched Gen. Ed. McCook, with a force of cavalry, including Watkins'
brigade. This force moved rapidly through Gallatin, Tenn., Franklin and
Russellville, Ky., and met Lyon at Hopkinsville, and caused him to retire from
the state.
December 15th and 16th the battle of Nashville was fought, and the whole
confederate force overthrown. By that time Watkins' brigade had returned to
Nashville, and joined in the pursuit. January 9th it was at Gravely Springs,
Ala., where it remained until the 23d, when it moved to Waterloo. It remained
there during February, 1865; it then accompanied Wilson's cavalry on the
expedition through Alabama, and to Macon, Ga. In June it returned to Nashville,
and went into camp at Edgefield, where it was mustered out of service, July 14,
1865.
The career of this regiment was remarkable for its continuous activity at the
front in connection with the large armies, and its record of gallant service is
without a flaw from beginning to end.
>From Dyer's Compendium:
6th Regiment Cavalry
Organized in Central Kentucky July to October, 1862. Munday's 1st Battalion
Cavalry assigned as Companies "A," "B," "C," "D" and "E." Attached to District
of Central Kentucky to October, 1862. District of Louisville, Ky., Dept. Ohio,
to November, 1862. District Central Kentucky, Dept. Ohio, to January, 1863. 1st
Brigade, 1st Division Cavalry, Army of the Cumberland, to July, 1863. 3rd
Brigade, 1st Division, Cavalry Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to November, 1864.
3rd Brigade, 1st Division, Cavalry Corps, Military Division Mississippi, to
January, 1865. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, Cavalry Corps, Middle Division
Mississippi, and District of Middle Tennessee, Dept. of the Cumberland, to
September, 1865.
SERVICE.--Skirmish Flat Lick August 17 (Detachment). Skirmish at Slaughterville,
Ky., September 3, 1862 (Detachment). Mumfordsville September 20-21 (Detachment).
Pursuit of Bragg through Kentucky October 1-22. 1st Battalion to Litchfield and
skirmish with Bragg. 2nd Battalion to Bardstown and skirmish with Wheeler. 3rd
Battalion to Stanford. 1st Battalion ordered to Louisa, Ky., November 14, thence
to Mt. Sterling, Ky., December 9. Regiment concentrated at Lebanon, Ky.,
December, 1862. Operations against Morgan December 22, 1862, to January 2, 1863.
Near Huntington December 27. Parker's Mills on Elk Fork December 28. Affair
Springfield December 30 (Detachment). Muldraugh's Hill near New Market December
31. Ordered to Nashville, Tenn., January 30, thence to Franklin, Tenn., and duty
there until June. Expedition from Franklin to Columbia March 8-12. Thompson's
Station March 9. Rutherford Creek March 10-11. Near Thompson's Station March 23.
Little Harpeth River March 25. Near Franklin March 31. Franklin April 27.
Thompson's Station May 2. Moved to Triune June 2-4. Franklin June 4. Triune June
9. Middle Tennessee or Tullahoma Campaign June 23-July 7. University Depot July
4. Expedition to Huntsville July 13-22. Expedition to Athens, Ala., August 2-8.
Passage of Cumberland Mountains and Tennessee River and Chickamauga (Ga.)
Campaign August 16-September 22. Alpine, Ga., September 5. Summerville September
6-7 and 10. Battle of Chickamauga September 19-21. Buell's Ford September 28.
Operations against Wheeler and Roddy September 30-October 17. At Caperton's
Ferry until January, 1864. Lafayette, Ga., December 12, 1863. Ringgold December
13. Scout to Lafayette December 21-23. Regiment veteranize January, 1864, and
Veterans on furlough until March. Near Chattanooga, Tenn., until May. Atlanta
(Ga.) Campaign May to September. Guarding railroad in rear of the army at
Wauhatchie, Lafayette, Calhoun, Dalton and Resaca. At Wauhatchie, Tenn., May 5
to June 18. At Lafayette, Ga., June 18 to August 4. Summerville July 7. Actions
at Lafayette June 24 and 30. Scouting about Calhoun, Adairsville and Resaca
until October 12. Pine Log Creek near Fairmount August 14. Rousseau's pursuit of
Wheeler September 1-8. Resaca October 12-13. Near Summerville October 18. Little
River, Ala., October 20. Leesburg October 21. Ladiga, Terrapin Creek, October
28. Moved to Louisville, Ky., November 3-9. McCook's pursuit of Lyon December
6-28. Hopkinsville, Ky., December 16. At Nashville, Tenn., until January 9.
Moved to Gravelly Springs, Ala., and duty there until March. Wilson's Raid from
Chickasaw, Ala., to Macon, Ga., March 22-April 24. Centerville April 1. Trion
April 1. Selma April 2. Northport near Tuscaloosa April 4. Lapier's Mills,
Sipsey Creek, April 6. King's Store April 6 (Co. "D"). Occupation of Talladega
April 22. Munford's Station April 23. At Macon until June. Moved to Nashville,
Tenn., and duty in District of Middle Tennessee until September. Non-Veterans
mustered out at Edgefield July 14, 1865. Regiment mustered out September 6,
1865.
Regiment lost during service 2 Officers and 31 Enlisted men killed and mortally
wounded and 4 Officers and 251 Enlisted men by disease. Total 288.
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