Unit Profile: 21st Ohio Cavalry (Part 1)

The 21^st Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, with its sister regiment the 20^th,  was raised in Columbus in early 1864. The regiment was raised by Colonel Paul Herling, from Mansfield Ohio.  Herling had served as a junior officer in the 3^rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry until being wounded at Perryville. Herling’s family had connections with Senator John Sherman. As he recovered from his wounds, Herling benefitted from some friendly influence and was given authorization to raise a regiment of cavalry. The 21^st was mustered into service on February 28^th , 1864 and sent to Camp Chase for instruction before being sent to Arkansas.

When the regiment reached Hot Springs, it was placed into a brigade with the 20^th Ohio, 16^th Missouri and 22^nd Illinois Volunteer Cavalry.  Herling’s commission pre-dated that of Colonel Neal of the 20^th Ohio by one week and, being senior colonel, he was appointed to command of the brigade. The brigade was designated the 2^nd Brigade, Cavalry Division, XXVI Corps. Command of the regiment was handed over to Lieutenant Colonel Lafayette Ludwig, also of Mansfield.

Herling’s Brigade moved from Hot Springs to Midway, where it camped near the Wolf Farm from mid April until the 1^st of May, when it was ordered to Arkadelphia. The brigade was tasked with guarding approaches to Arkadelphia from Washington and deployed on a hill west of town on the afternoon of the 1^st. On May 2^nd, an enemy cavalry brigade of three Missouri Regiments appeared. It was Herling’s first encounter with Randall’s Brigade, less the 26^th Arkansas Cavalry which had been detached to Raymonds.  Brig. Gen. Ewing, the division commander, had made his headquarters with Herling’s Brigade and submitted the following report:

Arkadelphia, May 2^d 1864 – 10:00 a.m.

Maj. Gen. DANIEL C. ORMSBY,

CMDR, XXVI Corps,

GENERAL:  Col. Herling’s Brigade is deployed at a crossroads west of town, with skirmishers to the front across the Washington Road. An enemy cavalry brigade is approaching on the road from the west. It appears to be led by a Missouri regiment.

Your obedient servant,

Brig. Gen. ROBERT EWING,

CMDR, Cavalry Division, XXVI Corps

 

Herling rotated regiments on the skirmish line throughout the day, the 21^st Ohio having served on the line when enemy infantry was sighted in the evening.

Arkadelphia, May 2^d 1864 – 6:00 p.m.

Maj. Gen. DANIEL C. ORMSBY,

CMDR, XXVI Corps,

GENERAL:  The enemy cavalry brigade has deployed to our west across the Washington Road and thrown out skirmishers just out of range, but has not engaged.  A column of enemy infantry has just come up in their rear. I believe it to be a division.

Your obedient servant,

Brig. Gen. ROBERT EWING,

CMDR, Cavalry Division, XXVI Corps

 

The enemy infantry turned out to be Maj. Gen. Clinton Swain’s 2^nd Division, II Corps. It began advancing on Arkadelphia and Herling’s Brigade made a fighting withdrawal throughout the day.

Arkadelphia, May 3^d 1864 – 7:15 a.m.

 

Maj. Gen. DANIEL C. ORMSBY,

             CMDR, XXVI Corps,         

GENERAL:  Enemy skirmishers engaged Herling’s Brigade west of Arkadelphia at 6:00 a.m.  Enemy infantry division has deployed and engaged. Making a fighting withdrawal into Arkadelphia. Will delay enemy advance as long as possible. 

Enemy force sighted: One cavalry brigade (Missouri) and three infantry brigades (Missouri, Kentucky and Florida). Two six gun batteries. 

Your obedient servant, 

Brig. Gen. ROBERT EWING,

CMDR, Cavalry Division, XXVI Corps

  

Arkadelphia, May 3^d 1864 – 9:45 a.m. 

Maj. Gen. DANIEL C. ORMSBY,

CMDR, XXVI Corps,                

GENERAL:  Herling’s Brigade made a fighting withdraw through Arkadelphia Town. Now deployed at bridges preparing enemy assault. Enemy artillery firing on us to good effect. Will resist crossing and then fall back to Donaldson Farm. 

Enemy infantry division present is Maj. Gen. Swain’s 2^nd Division, II Corps.  

Received report from Col. Marple. His brigade is on the march and expects to reach Amity today, possibly even Alpine.  

Your obedient servant, 

Brig. Gen. ROBERT EWING,

CMDR, Cavalry Division, XXVI Corps 

 

Arkadelphia, May 3^d 1864 – 9:00 p.m. 

Maj. Gen. DANIEL C. ORMSBY,

CMDR, XXVI Corps,                

GENERAL:  Herling’s Brigade was driven back from the vicinity of Arkadelphia and is in retreat towards Midway. Colonel Herling reports that enemy cavalry is in pursuit.  His brigade is spending the night about 8 miles from Midway. He reports total losses today of  24 men killed, 88 wounded and 17 missing. 

Colonel Marple reports that he passed through Amity without incident, but did not reach Alpine. His brigade is bivouacked at about 4 miles from Alpine. 

Your obedient servant, 

Brig. Gen. ROBERT EWING,

CMDR, Cavalry Division, XXVI Corps 

The 21^st fought on the left of Herling’s Brigade, initially engaged with Brig. Gen. Bieber’s Kentucky Brigade as the Confederates advanced towards town.  The 21^st fell back passed the Haydin House towards the Court House.  As the Confederate advanced continued, the 21^st fell back again with the rest of the brigade to the wooden brigade north of town on the Benton Road. It engaged Black’s Missouri Brigade, which has been assigned to carry the bridge.  The 21^st fired on the 19^th Missouri Infantry, which stormed the bridge, and then the cavalrymen fell back to the Donaldson Farm, where the brigade made a brief stand before leaving the field and heading back toward Midway.

The 21^st lost 7 men killed, 27 wounded and 5 missing during light skirmishing on the 2^nd and the fighting withdrawal through Arkadelphia on May 3^rd. On May 4^th, the brigade reached the Lee Farm near Midway around 10:00 a.m. and deployed to slow down any enemy advance. They were followed by Randall’s Brigade and skirmishing resumed. 

Lee Farm, May 4^th  1864 – 10:00 a.m. 

Maj. Gen. DANIEL C. ORMSBY,

CMDR, XXVI Corps,                

GENERAL:  Col. Herling’s Brigade has deployed near the Lee Farm for a clear view down the Arkadelphia Road. Brig. Gen. Randall’s cavalry brigade has just appeared to the south and is into forming line at the Grier Farm. We will try to hold the cavalry here, south of Midway, and then give way with a fighting withdrawal towards Point Cedar when infantry arrives. 

Your obedient servant, 

Brig. Gen. ROBERT EWING,

CMDR, Cavalry Division, XXVI Corps 

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Lee Farm, May 4^th  – 6:00 p.m. 

Maj. Gen. DANIEL C. ORMSBY,

CMDR, XXVI Corps,                

GENERAL:  Col. Herling’s Brigade, while deployed across the road at the Lee Orchard,  repelled repeated attacks by three Missouri regiments from Brig. Gen. Randall’s cavalry brigade from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 pm.  The enemy withdrew to the Greer Farm until 2:00 p.m., when the Twenty-Sixth Arkansas came up the Raymonds Road. The Sixteenth Missouri moved from the left of the line and engaged the enemy at Jamison, while the enemy’s Missouri Regiments resumed the attack on the Lee Orchard.  All attempts by the enemy cavalry to dislodge Col. Herling’s men failed, including an attempt to flank the line through the Lee buildings. The enemy cavalry withdrew again to the Greer Farm at 2:30 p.m. 

At 4:00 p.m., an enemy infantry division arrived on the Arkadelphia Road and deployed at Greer. The division included Georgia, South Carolina and Alabama Brigades and is believed to be the enemy’s 1^st Division. A cavalry escort was seen with a high ranking officer, leading Col. Herling and I to believe that Maj. Gen. Hobbs was on the field. The enemy opened fire with two batteries and Herling began to fall back without engaging, but forcing the enemy to deploy.  

Col. Herling’s Brigade is encamped on Meeting Hill near the Epps Farm and behind a stone wall. Randall’s Brigade is in a rocky field near St. James Church. The enemy’s infantry is at Midway Crossroads. My intentions are to fall back to Point Cedar first thing in the morning, without engaging. 

No word from Col. Marple’s Brigade. 

Your obedient servant, 

Brig. Gen. ROBERT EWING,

CMDR, Cavalry Division, XXVI Corps 

The 21^st, with the rest of the brigade, repulsed repeated attacks by Randall’s Brigade, inflicting heavy loss on the enemy while suffering a much smaller comparative loss. The regiment lost 3 men killed, 4 wounded and 3 missing while fighting  while deployed in some woods just east of the Arkadelphia Road and Lee Orchard. The next day, the regiment was at Meeting Hill and then slowly withdrew before enemy infantry without engaging, but losing 2 men wounded to shelling by enemy batteries. The entire brigade then withdrew toward Point Cedar, being followed by the 26^th Arkansas Regiment, commanded at the time by Colonel William Dibble.

Point Cedar Road, May 5^th   – 10:00 p.m. 

Maj. Gen. DANIEL C. ORMSBY,

CMDR, XXVI Corps, 

GENERAL: I have been with Herling, withdrawing from Midway. We are being pursued by a single regiment of Arkansas cavalry, but they are keeping their distance about a mile behind us and are clearly only observing and have no intention of engaging. We have reached about 5 miles from Point Cedar. 

I have received word from Col. Marple. His brigade has reached Murfreesboro without incident and without encountering the enemy. He awaits further orders.    

Your obedient servant, 

Brig. Gen. ROBERT EWING,

CMDR, Cavalry Division, XXVI Corps 

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Point Cedar Road, May 6^th   – 3:00 a.m.

 

Maj. Gen. DANIEL C. ORMSBY,

CMDR, XXVI Corps,

 

GENERAL: I have just received a courier informing me that Brig. Gen. August Kraft has been attached to this command with a small brigade of cavalry. The brigade is composed of the Tenth Iowa, Nineteenth Missouri and Fifteenth Indiana Cavalry. I do not have the precise returns, but Brig. Gen. Kraft informs me that total strength is approximately 1,700 men. The Tenth Iowa is said to experienced and of regular quality. The Nineteenth and Fifteenth are green.

 

Brig. Gen. Kraft and his brigade arrived in Hot Springs during the night and are awaiting orders there. 

 

Herling preparing to return towards Midway this morning.        

 

Your obedient servant,

 

Brig. Gen. ROBERT EWING,

CMDR, Cavalry Division, XXVI Corps

 

Col. Herling was ordered to turn on the 26^th Arkansas Cavalry first thing in the morning on the 6th. The brigade began to chase the 26^th back to Midway arriving shortly befor  noon.  

 

Midway , May 6^th   – 11:45 a.m.

Maj. Gen. DANIEL C. ORMSBY,

 

CMDR, XXVI Corps,

 

GENERAL: Have arrived at Midway with Herling’s Brigade. Enemy cavalry regiment                       retreating  towards Rockport. No other enemy found. Two infantry divisions (1^st and 2^nd Divisions, II Corps) moving to Rockport.

 

Marple making progress towards Greenville. No word from Kraft.

                                

Your obedient servant,

 

Brig. Gen. ROBERT EWING,

CMDR, Cavalry Division, XXVI Corps

  

Midway, May 6^th   – 1:00 p.m. 

Maj. Gen. DANIEL C. ORMSBY,

CMDR, XXVI Corps, 

GENERAL: Have arrived at Midway with Herling’s Brigade. Enemy cavalry regiment deployed across Pleasant Ridge Road near Jeffries. No word from Marple.  

Your obedient servant, 

Brig. Gen. ROBERT EWING,

CMDR, Cavalry Division, XXVI Corps

 

While infantry was fighting at Rockport, Holcomb’s Brigade of Confederate cavalry arrived at Midway.  There was some brief fighting, but it cost the Confederate II Corps its first Brigade General of the campaign.
 

Arkadelphia Road, May 6^th – 7:00 p.m.. 

Maj. Gen. DANIEL C. ORMSBY,

CMDR, XXVI Corps,                

GENERAL:  Herling’s Brigade was engaged by Holcomb’s Brigade (Arkansas Cavalry) at Midway between 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.  Herling was initially deployed at a wood line just south of town and held off an attack. The Twenty-Second Illinois killed Brig. Gen. Holcomb early in the attack. The enemy brigade, however, is quite large, over 2,000 strong. It extended beyond our left flank, and the regiment we had pursued earlier (now identified as the Twenty-Sixth Arkansas Cavalry) appeared on our right flank. 

Herling withdrew to the Greer Farm and held off another attack until flank. The brigade is now retiring towards Arkadelphia on the Arkadelphia Road, being the most viable direction of movement.  

Losses were as follows: 

Twentieth Ohio: 1 killed, 5 wounded, 1 missing

Twenty-first Ohio: 2 wounded

Twenty-Second Illinois: 3 wounded

Sixteenth Missouri: 2 wounded

 

Enemy losses believed to be well over 50 men.  

Your obedient servant, 

Brig. Gen. ROBERT EWING,

CMDR, Cavalry Division, XXVI Corps 

Herling was ordered to Arkadelphia, followed by Holcomb’s Brigade. As the brigade reached the wooden bridge where it had engaged Black’s Brigade four days earlier, it found Randall’s Brigade guarding the crossing. Rather than get caught between Holcomb’s Brigade (now under command of Col. Dibble and with the 26^th Arkansas attached) and Randall, Herling’s Brigade moved east to Willow and spent the night near Willow Tavern with Holcomb’s Brigade not far away.

 

Arkadelphia – Willow Road, May 7th   – 1:00  p.m. 

Maj. Gen. DANIEL C. ORMSBY,

CMDR, XXVI Corps, 

GENERAL: Reached Arkadelphia with Herling’s Brigade from Midway. Enemy cavalry in close pursuit. Found Randall’s Brigade guarding bridges over river. Caught between the two enemy cavalry brigades. Avoiding engagement. Heading towards Willow. 

Marple reports enemy infantry division turned around and moving back towards Arkadelphia via Greenville. He is following it.  

Your obedient servant, 

Brig. Gen. ROBERT EWING,

CMDR, Cavalry Division, XXVI Corps