8th Regiment, Kentucky Cavalry (Union)

Historical Notes:
The 8th Regiment, Kentucky Cavalry was organized at Russellsville, Ky., and mustered in August 13, 1862.

Colonel James Murell Shackelford was chosen commander, after which time, camps of recruiting & instruction were established at Henderson, Russellville and Lebanon, Kentucky. The whole regiment numbering 1,248 was organized within the space of three weeks comprised of union men from the surrounding counties.

On September 6, 1862, the 2nd Battalion (Co's A, D, G, K) was mustered in at Russellville, Kentucky by Captain T. E. Noell. On September 8th, 1862, the 3rd Battalion (Co's C, F, I, M) was also muster at Russellville, Kentucky by Captain T. E. Noell. Lastly, On September 13, 1862, the 1st Battalion (Co's B, E, H, L) was mustered in at Henderson, Kentucky by Captain V. N. Smith, U.S. Mustering Officer.

On September 12, 1862, General Orders #5 from Colonel Shackelford directed that the regiment would have on its colors the moniker "Finnell Guard" and "that the regiment shall be called by the name". Such was done in honor to General John W. Finnell.

The 3rd Battalion alongside Company B were mustered out of service September 17, 1863, at Lebanon, Kentucky. The 1st & 2nd Battalions, excepting Company B, were mustered out of service September 23, 1863, at Russellville, Kentucky.

The Regiment lost during service 1 Officer and 8 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 4 Officers and 104 Enlisted men by disease. Total 117. Officers:

Colonel James Murell Shackelford

Lt. Colonel Benjamin H. Bristow

Assignments:
Attached to District of Louisville, Ky., Dept. of the Ohio, to November, 1862. Unattached, Bowling Green, District of Western Kentucky, Dept. Ohio, to June, 1863. 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 23rd Army Corps, Army of Ohio, to August, 1863. Unassigned, Bowling Green, Ky. 1st Division, 23rd Army Corps, to September, 1863. Service:
Duty at Russellsville, Bowling Green and Hopkinsville, Ky., District of West Kentucky, and at Clarksville, Tenn., operating against guerrillas, till 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 July 2-26. Buffington's Island , Ohio, July 19. Mustered out September 23, 1863. Roster:
The roster of this unit contains the names of 1851 men.

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