Bear flag and Bay State in the Civil War : the Californians of the Second Massachusetts Cavalry / Thomas E. Parson.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Parson, Thomas E., 1960-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

United States. Army. Massachusetts Cavalry Regiment, 2nd (1862-1865).

United States.

United States. Army. California Cavalry Battalion (1862-1865).

History.

Soldiers.

Regimental histories.

Massachusetts--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Regimental histories.

Massachusetts.

California--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Regimental histories.

California.

United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Regimental histories.

Soldiers--California--History--19th century.

Soldiers--Massachusetts--History--19th century.

Massachusetts--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Cavalry operations.

California--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Cavalry operations.

United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Cavalry operations.

Physical Description:

viii, 220 pages : illustrations ; 26 cm

Place of Publication:

Jefferson, N.C. : McFarland, [2001]

Summary:

The Second Massachusetts Cavalry included the only organized group (5 companies totaling 504 men) from California to fight in the east during the Civil War. Led by a young Boston aristocrat, Colonel Charles R. Lowell, these men began their wartime careers in Northern Virginia in 1862, clashing with the partisan rangers of Major John S. Mosby, in a deadly world of guerrilla warfare. In August of 1864, the regiment was assigned to Major General Phil Sheridans Army of Shenandoah and served through all of the battles in the victorious campaign to clear the valley of Confederates, witnessing the final surrender at Appomattox Courthouse. This account tells what these men from California and Massachusetts accomplished, how they communicated, and how they viewed themselves. The book contains three appendices that list the battle casualties of the regiment during its largest engagements. Photographs and a bibliography are also included.

Contents:

Chapter 1 "What do you mean Gentlemen, drivers of gigs?" 5

Chapter 2 The California Hundred 20

Chapter 3 The California Battalion 29

Chapter 4 "Take care Major, here come the Rebs" 45

Chapter 5 Northern Virginia 64

Chapter 6 The Independent Cavalry Brigade 81

Chapter 7 Dranesville 101

Chapter 8 Jubal Early's Washington Raid 125

Chapter 9 The Shenandoah Valley 140

Chapter 10 "So strong a love for country" 160

Chapter 11 "Let them know there is a God in Israel" 176

Chapter 12 Appomattox 186

Appendix A Casualties at Dranesville, February 1864 203

Appendix B Casualties at Mt. Zion Church, July 1864 206

Appendix C Casualties at Rockville, July 1864 208.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [211]-214) and index.

ISBN:

0786411228

OCLC:

47037507