The Second Mass and Its Fighting CaliforniansA Reference site of images, articles, artifacts of the Second Massachusetts Cavalry including the Cal 100 and the Cal Battalion.
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Second Mass Cavalry HistoryPage 1
from Massachusetts Soldiers, Sailors and Marines in the Civil War: The 2nd Regt. Mass. Vol. Cav. was recruited during the fall of 1862 and the winter following. The first company, "A", was raised in California by Capt. J. Sewell Reed, and was known as the " California Hundred ". This company was mustered in at San Francisco, Dec. 10, 1862. It arrived in Boston, January. 3, 1863, and was assigned to the quota of Boston. Later four more companies were raised in California by Major Thompson, "E", "F", "L", and "M", and became known as the "California Battalion". The remaining companies were raised largely in Boston and other places in the easterly part of Massachusetts, the last company, " H ", not being mustered in until June 20, 1863. The regiment rendezvoused at Camp Meigs, Readville. Charles Russell Lowell, Jr., who had been a captain in the 6th Regt. U. S. Cavalry, and had served on the staff of Maj. Genl. George B. McClellan from July to November, 1862, was commissioned colonel of the regiment. Companies "A", "B", "C", "D", and "K" left for Baltimore, Md., Feb. 12, 1863, and proceeded thence to Fort Monroe and from there to Gloucester Point, opposite Yorktown, Va. This battalion under Maj. Caspar Crowninshield was engaged in various raids and expeditions in southeastern Virginia until Aug. 6, when it reported to Colonel Lowell who was at Centreville with the main body of the regiment. The main body of the regiment left Readville, Mass. for the seat of war May 11, proceeding to Washington and camping near that city until July 19, during which period it was engaged in raids and scouting expeditions in the region between Washington and the Blue Ridge. Source: Massachusetts Soldiers, Sailors & Marines in the Civil War, vol. VI, p. 228 History Page 1 go to: [2] |
