The Connecticut Cavalry was originally organized as a battalion of four companies, one from each congressional district in the State. The call for it was issued October 1, 1861, and on the 23d it assembled at Camp Tyler, West Meriden, with full ranks. It remained here on drill and discipline until February 20, 1862, when, under command of Major Judson M. Lyon, it proceeded to Wheeling, Va., arriving on the 24th. March 27th it was assigned to the brigade of General Robert C. Schenck and ordered to Moorefield, Va., to fight guerillas. It was very active here, covering the ground with its scouting parties for many miles up and down the South Potomac valley, and penetrating into almost every recess of the mountains on either hand.
Early in May the brigade moved up the valley, and was present on the 8th at the battle of McDowell. The battalion covered the rear of our army as it fell back, repulsing an attack by Ashby’s cavalry near Franklin on the 11th. Jackson having driven Banks from Strasburgh across the Potomac, our army, under Fremont, hastened to intercept him. The battalion led the advance over the mountains. At daylight, May 30th, it met and repulsed the enemy’s cavalry at Wardensville. June 1st, at dusk, it overtook and charged Jackson’s rear at Strasburgh, and in the pursuit of him up the valley was constantly in the advance.
It joined in the sharp cavalry fight near Harrisonburg, June 6tb, where the rebel General Ashby was killed, and in Fremont’s battle at Cross Keys, two days later. On the 9th it made a dash to save the bridge at Port Republic, but too late for success. The army now retired down the valley, and on July 10th crossed the mountains to Sperryville.
About this time Major Lyon resigned and Captain Middlebrook assumed command. The battalion, now in Sigel’s corps, arrived at Cedar Mountain August 9th, just at the close of the battle there, and on the 12th joined in the pursuit of Jackson to the Rapidan. With its brigade, under Colonel Beardsley, Ninth New York, it fought through Pope’s disastrous campaign and helped to cover the shattered fragments of his army on its retreat.
It was now badly used up and to a large extent dismounted, and lay with its corps in camp near Washington three months, during which time it received about one hundred recruits, and was entirely refitted and remounted. In December it moved with its corps to Stafford Court House, where it remained a month, scouting and picketing, when it was ordered to Baltimore for provost duty and to be filled up to a regiment.
From “Record of Service of Connecticut Men in the War of Rebellion, 1861 to 1865″ published by the Connecticut National Guard in 1889.
