37th Kentucky Volunteer Infantry (Mounted), Historical Data

File provided by:
A Captain David L. Payne Camp, 
Sons of Union Veterans, Project.
Walt Cross wcross@okway.okstate.edu

Source: "Union Regiments of Kentucky" Capt. Thomas Speed
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The 37th Kentucky Volunteer Infantry (Mounted) was organized in the summer of 1863 in
response to military operations in South Central Kentucky by Confederate guerillas.
Companies A through C were mustered into United States Service on September 17, 1863.
Companies D through G were mustered at the same place October 24, 1863. Company H was
originally intended to join the 51st Kentucky Infantry, but was consolidated with the
37th at Covington, Kentucky on September 4th. The final two companies of I and K were
sworn into service at Glasgow on December 21st and 22nd respectively. Right in the
middle of the regiment's initial organization, Col. Hughes led a Confederate force
against the undermanned regiment on the night of the 6th of October. One hundred and
forty-two men of the regiment were captured. Major Martin, the ranking officer on
station, fought his way free of the encircling rebels and rallied the remaining
companies. They pursued Col. Hughes and his precious cargo of Union soldiers and
caught up to him just south of the town of Tompkinsville, retaking most of his men,
horses, and weapons. The regiment largely back to strength, they marched to Columbia,
Kentucky and joined the 13th Kentucky Cavalry for a movement to East Tennessee. Col.
John Hunt Morgan, that famous Confederate raider, led his fast moving cavalry on a
thrust into Kentucky in June of 1864. The 37th, along with other units, moved to stop
his advance, and at the small town of Cynthiana broke Morgan's command and released
the prisoners he had taken. They then drove him from the state. Early in September of
1864 the 37th moved East to Saltville, Virginia and participated in the battle there
in which their brigade commander, Col. Hanson, was wounded and captured. The 37th
returned to Kentucky after the battles at Saltville and after safeguarding the state
from partisans, its soldiers were discharged in December of 1864. Among the 37th's
soldiers was Issac Cross the great, great grandfather of the author.


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