Second Missouri Cavalry C.S.A., The

Military Images, Mar/Apr 2006 by Sickles, John

All Images From The David C. Boggs' Album

Unit History

The Second Missouri Cavalry, CSA served in James Chalmers' Division of General Nathan Bedford Forrest's Cavalry. Throughout the life of the regiment it was commanded by Robert "Black Bob" McCulloch. His cousin, Robert A. "Red Bob" McCulloch served as lieutenant colonel for most of the war.

The McCulloch cousins were both born in Virginia, but were raised in Missouri. Black Bob was born in 1820, and Red Bob was born five years later. The colors in their names came from their hair colors, as they were very close to each other all of their lives. Missouri was a wild place to grow up in at that time, where lawlessness was rampant and the residents were even subject to Indian raids.

During the gold rush of 1849 both cousins trekked across country and both came home poorer for it. In the 1850s, both allied themselves on the side of slavery in the dispute over Kansas statehood, though they held few slaves, and were more farmers than plantation owners.

In May, 1861 Black Bob organized a company of cavalry which soon became a battalion. Along the way he fought at Boonville, Carthage, Wilson's Creek, Lexington and Drywood. By August this unit was recruited to regimental strength, with Red Bob McCulloch contributing one company.

They crossed the Mississippi River with Sterling Price in April, 1862. It would be a long while before they would see their home state again. At Middleburg, Tennessee that August they collided with the Second Illinois Cavalry, which the Union considered to be an elite unit. During the skirmish, which was point blank fighting on horseback, Black Bob killed Lieutenant Colonel Harvey Hogg. In turn, he, one of his lieutenants and four troopers were set upon by six Illinois men. When the smoked cleared, all six Illinois troopers were dead, Still later Black Bob knocked a trooper off his horse with his unloaded pistol.

The 2nd Missouri was part of Van Dorn's raid on General Grant's supply depot at Holly Springs, Mississippi, which compelled Grant to retreat, and delayed the Vicksburg campaign. During their campaigning the men of the 2nd Missouri practically lived in the saddle, and at the battle of Coldwater River, they and an Arkansas regiment held off 1,700 men and prevented them from crossing the river.

The regiment was transferred to Nathan Bedford Forrest's command in February, 1863, where Colonel Robert "Black Bob" McCulloch was promoted to brigade command. With his cousin in higher command, Reb Bob was soon promoted and took command of the regiment. The brigade numbered 150 officers, and 1,600 men present for duty. Lamentably, that September, the regimental mascot, a black bear was accidentally killed.

At the battle of Okolona, Mississippi Black Bob saved General Forrest's life. Bob had been wounded in the hand, and to stop the flow of blood had tied a rag around it, but it bled through. When Forrest's brother, Jeffery was killed, Forrest became incensed and charged the Yankee cavalry alone. Bob waved his bloody hand in the air and shouted: "My God men, would you watch your commander be killed?" He and about twenty-five of his men charged, and extracted Forrest, who wasn't even scratched.

The combat was particularly vicious, Confederate Assistant Surgeon R. E. Hewlett, witnessing a man from the 2nd Missouri and a Union trooper kill each. He rode to the troopers rescue, and found him lying on the ground laughing. He never said a word, Hewlett related, then died.

Concerned for Howlett's safety, McCulloch ordered the Surgeon to the rear, but Hewlett protested that it was his job to help the wounded. "Where would you expect the wounded to be but in the front lines?," he asked. McCulloch answered: "Then go where you want to go."

In March, 1864 some ladies from Columbus, Mississippi presented the 2nd with a new flag. Red Bob made an acceptance speech and exchanged the old flag, which was in bloody shreds. The new flag was sewn by Misses Annie Fort and Pattie Askew.

On April 12, 1864, the 2nd Missouri Cavalry breached the ramparts at Fort Pillow, one of the most infamous battles of the Civil War. The fort was manned by black soldiers who were former slaves and white Tennesseans that Forrest's men disdainfully called "Tories." The presence of these men were an insult to Forrest's troopers, and many were shot down after they had surrendered. Black Bob McCulloch denied ever seeing such a depredation, and this controversy will perhaps never be fully resolved.

In the fight at Harrisburg, Mississippi on July 14th, Black Bob sustained a painful wound in the shoulder and rode in an ambulance for much of the remainder of the war. In August, 1864, Forrest invaded Memphis, Tennessee, dashing through the city. In the encounter with Union defenders, Red Bob was wounded in the side from so close that there were powder burns on his clothing. Afterward, McCulloch's brigade was sent to Alabama, where on April 2, 1865, it fought in the battle of Selma against General James Wilson's powerful force of Union cavalry. With the Confederacy in the last throes of defeat, the brigade and the 2nd Missouri at last laid down their arms and were paroled out of the service in May, 1865. On their way home many of the hard-bitten Missourians stopped in Memphis, Tennessee and had their photographs taken. At least three of these images found their way into the photo album of 2nd Missouri veteran David C. Boggs, and are presented in this article for the first time.