1st Regiment, Kentucky Cavalry (Helms')

Historical Notes:
The Kentucky 1st Cavalry Regiment was organized during the late summer of 1861 and its companies were mustered into Confederate Service in October. It served in the Central Army of Kentucky and the Department of East Tennessee and fought in various engagements in Kentucky and Tennessee. Because of its difficult service in Kentucky during September and October, 1862 it was reduced to a battalion and assigned to the 3rd Kentucky Cavalry.

The 1st Cavalry (Helm's) and the 1st Cavalry (Butler's) thus became part of the same unit, but the National Archives maintains the rosters of each unit separately and does not have a combined roster of these units designated as the Kentucky 3rd Cavalry Regiment. Officers:
Colonel:
• Benjamin H. Helm
Lieutenant Colonel:
• J.W. Griffith
• H. C. Leavell
• Thomas G. Woodward
Major:
• John W. Caldwell
• N. R. Chambliss

As part of the 3rd Cavalry after October, 1862:
Colonel:
J. R. Butler
Lieutenant Colonels:
Jack Allen
Jacob W. Griffith
Major:
J. Q. Chenoweth
Assignments:
Central Army of Kentucky and the Department of East Tennessee
As part of the 3rd Cavalry after October, 1862
Assigned to Buford's, T. Harrison's, J. W. Grigsby's, J. S. Williams', and J. H. Lewis' Brigade
Battles:

Hewey's Bridge (Tn.) May 8, 1862

Sweeden's Cove (Tn.) June 4, 1862

Munfordville (Ky.) Sept. 17, 1862

Perryville (Ky.) Oct. 8,1862

Loudon (Ky.) Oct. 1862

Battle of Murfreesboro (Stone's River) Dec. 31, 1862 & Jan. 2, 1863

Tullahoma Campaign June-July, 1863

Hoover's Gap June 24, 1863

Battle of Chickamauga Sept. 19-20, 1863

McLemore's Cove Sept. 21, 1863

Sequatchie Valley Oct. 2, 1863

Missionary Ridge Nov. 26, 1863

Ringgold Gap Nov. 27, 1863

Charleston, Tn. Dec. 28, 1863

Atlanta Campaign (AC) May- Sep, 1864

Dug Gap May 8, 1864

Resaca May 14-15, 1864

Cassville (Ga.) May 24, 1864

Peachtree Creek July 20, 1864

Stoneman's Raid (SR) July-August 1864

Sunshine Church July 31, 1864

Jug Tavern (King's Tanyard) Aug. 3, 1864

Saltville (Va.) Oct. 2, 1864

March to the Sea Nov - Dec, 1864

Carolinas Campaign (CC) Jan - April 1865

Aiken - Feb. 11, 1865

Columbia (SC) Feb. 17, 1865

Bentonville (NC) March 19-21, 1865

Jefferson Davis Escape April - May 1865

Roster:
The roster of this unit contains the names of 697 men. The companies of the 1st Cavalry seem to have been recruited state wide.

Bibliography for Research: