Georgia 8th Cavalry Regiment

HISTORICAL NOTES: The Georgia 8th Cavalry Regiment was formed from the the 62nd Cavalry Regiment Partisan Rangers and the 20th Cavalry Battalion.


The 62nd Georgia Regiment originally organized as an Infantry unit in July 1862 and was redesignated the 62nd Georgia Cavalry Regiment on August 1, 1862. The 62nd contained seven Georgia companies and three North Carolina companies of the 15th Cavalry Battalion Partisan Rangers. The 62nd was commanded by Colonel Joel R. Griffin with Lieutenant Colonel John T. Kennedy & Lieutenant Colonel, J. Tandolph Towns as Field Officers. The 62nd served in the North Carolina and Virginia Cavalry Departments from 1862 until the Regiment was broken up in 1864. The 62nd fought at New Bern Campaign, Winsor, and the Siege of Petersburg, Virginia. The Regiment was broken up, with the seven Georgia companies going to the 8th Cavalry Regiment and the three North Carolina companies to the 16th North Carolina Battalion, on July 11, 1864, per Special Order #161, Adjutant and Inspector General Office. However, this order was not carried out until around October 25, 1864.

The 8th Georgia Cavalry did service in Dearing's Brigade, W.H.F. Lee's Division, Cavalry Corps, Army of Northern Virginia from November 1864-April 1865. The 8th fought at Siege of Petersburg, Virginia from June 1864-April 1865. The unit took part in the Battles of Peeble's Farm, Jones' Farm, Harman Road, and the Appomattox Campaign. The 8th Georgia cut its way out at Appomattox Court House, Virginia and was surrendered by General Joseph E. Johnson at Durham Station, Orange County, North Carolina on April 26,1865. Officers:

Griffin, Joel R., Colonel

Millen, John M., Lieut. Colonel

Thomson, William G., Major

Assignments:

Dearing's Brigade, W.H.F. Lee's Division, Cavalry Corps, Army of Northern Virginia

Battles:

Siege of Petersburg

Peeble's Farm
Jones' Farm
Harman Road
Appomattox

ROSTERS:
The roster of this regiment contains the names of 1438 men.

Men were from Dougherty, Liberty, and Baker counties. BIBLIOGRAPHY:

REFERENCES:
Sifakis - Compendium of the Confederate States Armies