7th Missouri Cavalry Regiment was a cavalry unit from Missouri that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The regiment was formed on 20 February 1862 by merging Bishop's Cavalry Battalion (also known as the Blackhawk Cavalry, which had formed on 14 November 1861) with some unattached cavalry companies. The regiment fought at Independence, Lone Jack, Prairie Grove and Van Buren in 1862. The unit participated in Frederick Steele's expedition to Little Rock in 1863, fighting at Brownsville, Ashley's Mills, and Bayou Fourche. In 1864, the regiment went on the Camden Expedition and fought at Mount Elba and Marks' Mills. The remaining soldiers were consolidated with the 1st Missouri Volunteer Cavalry Regiment on 22 February 1865.
Formation
The 7th Missouri Cavalry Regiment was formed on 20 February 1862 by consolidating the Blackhawk Cavalry, also known as Bishop's Cavalry Battalion, with several unattached cavalry companies. The Blackhawk Cavalry organized at Henderson and Laclede, Missouri (Camp Morgan) between 14 November and 31 December 1861. After transfer into the 7th Missouri Cavalry, the Blackhawk Cavalry became Companies A–G and K. Captain Nathan A. Winters' company formed at Kirksville, Macon, and Sedalia, Missouri and became Company H. Captain Foster R. Hawk's company formed from July 1861 to January 1862 and became Company I on 25 February 1862. Captain Benjamin T. Humphrey's company formed at Laclede on 14 November 1861 and became Company M on 7 March 1862. Captain Wesley R. Love's company formed on 14 November 1861 and became Company D (or L). Typically, a cavalry regiment consisted of 12 companies named A through M, not including J.
Colonel Daniel Huston Jr. assumed command of the 7th Missouri Cavalry. The other field officers were Lieutenant Colonel William Bishop and Majors Andrew H. Linder and David McKee. Bishop was discharged on 3 April 1862 and replaced by Lieutenant Colonel James T. Buel. Buel was discharged on 25 August 1862 and replaced by Lieutenant Colonel John L. Chandler. Eliphalet Bredett was promoted major on 29 March 1862. Linder resigned on 22 September 1862, Bredett was killed in action on 7 December 1862, and McKee resigned on 21 July 1863. Their replacements were Majors Milton H. Brawner on 1 January 1863 and Henry P. Spellman on 20 February 1863. Huston graduated from the United States Military Academy and had 12 years experience serving in the US Army.
History
Before consolidation
The Blackhawk Cavalry was assigned to duty in northeast Missouri. Humphrey's independent (Company M) cavalry fought at Spring Hill on 27 October 1861. The Blackhawk Cavalry took part in an expedition to Milford, Missouri on 15–19 December. The battalion was at Shawnee Mound or Milford on 18 December and a detachment was at Hudson, Missouri on 21 December.
Independence and Lone Jack
After being organized on 20 February 1862, the 7th Missouri Cavalry was attached to Department of Kansas until June 1862. During this period, the regiment participated in operations near Miami and Waverly, Missouri on 25–28 May. The regiment was assigned to the District of Southwest Missouri, Department of Missouri in June–October 1862. Companies H and I took part in a reconnaissance to Miami, Waverly, Franklin, and Pink Hill, Missouri on 4–10 June. A detachment fought a skirmish at Pink Hill on 11 June. Company B was in action at Raytown, Missouri on 23 June. Companies B, D, F, and K were in operations at Pink Hill and Sibley, Missouri from 28 June to 1 July. The regiment took part in expeditions in Cass County on 9–11 July, including at Wadesburg near Creighton. The unit skirmished at Columbus, Missouri on 23 July.