Special Report

This State Had the Most Civil War Cavalry: Every State Ranked

Samuel Stebbins

Published: February 2, 2024 2:06 pm

The American Civil War saw two types of soldiers – those in the cavalry, trained to fight on horseback, and those in the infantry, trained to fight on foot. During the Civil War, American military reliance on cavalry peaked. There were more than 1 million cavalry troops between Union and Confederate forces, accounting for nearly one in every five enlisted soldiers. Throughout the war, the military role of cavalry units evolved considerably.

The duties of horse-mounted cavalry units in today’s modern military are strictly ceremonial. But before the mechanization of the U.S. military, cavalry troops were indispensable. In the early years of the Civil War, cavalry troops were typically deployed for scouting, patrolling, and escort missions. By the war’s end, cavalry units were used as effective and highly mobile strike forces.

Throughout the war, the Confederacy was outmatched by federal forces in nearly every quantifiable measure – from money and manpower to guns and supplies. Cavalry units were no exception. According to The Civil War Soldiers and Sailors Database, maintained by the National Park Service, Union armies had more than 675,000 cavalry troops, compared to about 467,000 mounted Confederate troops. This imbalance is also reflected in Civil War cavalry enlistment figures by state or territory. (Here is a look at the 20 greatest armies of the Civil War.)

24/7 Wall St. identified the states with the most cavalry troops in the Civil War by using historical records compiled by the NPS. Supplementary data on where Union cavalry units were assembled is from A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Civil War statistician Frederick H. Dyer, first published in 1908. Companies generally comprised about 1,200 mounted troops, while battalions were made up of about 330, and companies, 100. 

Both the North and South cavalry units consisted of cavalry troop weaponry that typically consisted of sabers, revolvers, and breech-loading, single-shot, or repeating carbines. Cavalry firearms were relatively easy to reload on horseback, and though cavalry carbines had limited range, relative to infantry rifles, their shorter barrels made them more maneuverable. Many Confederate cavalry troops also carried sawed-off shotguns and cut-down hunting rifles. (Here is a look at the largest battles of the Civil War.)

Here are the states with the largest cavalry during the Civil War.

43. Utah Territory

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

• Total cavalry troops: 96
• Cavalry troop allegiance: 100% Confederate (96 troops)
• Union cavalry units formed in Utah Territory: None
• Utah Territory’s official side in the Civil War: N/A

42. Arizona Territory

Source: Brent_1 / iStock via Getty Images

• Total cavalry troops: 266
• Cavalry troop allegiance: 100% Confederate (266 troops)
• Union cavalry units formed in Arizona Territory: None
• Arizona Territory’s official side in the Civil War: N/A

41. Dakota Territory

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

• Total cavalry troops: 269
• Cavalry troop allegiance: 100% Union (269 troops)
• Union cavalry units formed in Dakota Territory: 1 battalion
• Dakota Territory’s official side in the Civil War: N/A

40. Nevada

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

• Total cavalry troops: 1,028
• Cavalry troop allegiance: 100% Union (1,028 troops)
• Union cavalry units formed in Nevada: 1 regiment
• Nevada’s official side in the Civil War: Union

39. Delaware

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

• Total cavalry troops: 1,206
• Cavalry troop allegiance: 100% Union (1,206 troops)
• Union cavalry units formed in Delaware: 1 regiment, 1 company
• Delaware’s official side in the Civil War: Union

38. Oregon

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

• Total cavalry troops: 1,467
• Cavalry troop allegiance: 100% Union (1,467 troops)
• Union cavalry units formed in Oregon: 1 regiment
• Oregon’s official side in the Civil War: Union

37. District Of Columbia

Source: MPI / Archive Photos via Getty Images

• Total cavalry troops: 2,042
• Cavalry troop allegiance: 100% Union (2,042 troops)
• Union cavalry units formed in District Of Columbia: 1 regiment, 1 company
• District Of Columbia’s official side in the Civil War: Union

36. New Hampshire

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

• Total cavalry troops: 2,533
• Cavalry troop allegiance: 100% Union (2,533 troops)
• Union cavalry units formed in New Hampshire: 2 regiments, 1 company
• New Hampshire’s official side in the Civil War: Union

35. New Mexico Territory

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

• Total cavalry troops: 3,527
• Cavalry troop allegiance: 100% Union (3,527 troops)
• Union cavalry units formed in New Mexico Territory: 1 regiment,, 1 battalion, 5 companies
• New Mexico Territory’s official side in the Civil War: N/A

34. Vermont

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

• Total cavalry troops: 4,077
• Cavalry troop allegiance: 100% Union (4,077 troops)
• Union cavalry units formed in Vermont: 1 regiment
• Vermont’s official side in the Civil War: Union

33. Connecticut

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

• Total cavalry troops: 4,095
• Cavalry troop allegiance: 100% Union (4,095 troops)
• Union cavalry units formed in Connecticut: 1 regiment
• Connecticut’s official side in the Civil War: Union

32. Rhode Island

Source: O. A. Fitzgerald / Hulton Archive via Getty Images

• Total cavalry troops: 4,953
• Cavalry troop allegiance: 100% Union (4,953 troops)
• Union cavalry units formed in Rhode Island: 3 regiments, 1 battalion
• Rhode Island’s official side in the Civil War: Union

31. Nebraska Territory

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

• Total cavalry troops: 5122
• Cavalry troop allegiance: 100% Union (5,122 troops)
• Union cavalry units formed in Nebraska Territory: 2 regiments, 1 battalion, 2 companies
• Nebraska Territory’s official side in the Civil War: N/A

30. Minnesota

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

• Total cavalry troops: 5,725
• Cavalry troop allegiance: 100% Union (5,725 troops)
• Union cavalry units formed in Minnesota: 2 regiments, 2 battalions
• Minnesota’s official side in the Civil War: Union

29. Colorado Territory

Source: smithsonian / Flickr

• Total cavalry troops: 5986
• Cavalry troop allegiance: 100% Union (5,986 troops)
• Union cavalry units formed in Colorado Territory: 3 regiments
• Colorado Territory’s official side in the Civil War: N/A

28. Maine

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

• Total cavalry troops: 6,106
• Cavalry troop allegiance: 100% Union (6,106 troops)
• Union cavalry units formed in Maine: 2 regiments
• Maine’s official side in the Civil War: Union

27. California

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

• Total cavalry troops: 6,811
• Cavalry troop allegiance: 100% Union (6,811 troops)
• Union cavalry units formed in California: 2 regiments, 1 battalion
• California’s official side in the Civil War: Union

26. Florida

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

• Total cavalry troops: 9,276
• Cavalry troop allegiance: 23.7% Union (2,198 troops); 76.3% Confederate (7,078 troops)
• Union cavalry units formed in Florida: 2 regiments
• Florida’s official side in the Civil War: Confederate

25. Maryland

Source: Rischgitz / Hulton Archive via Getty Images

• Total cavalry troops: 12,677
• Cavalry troop allegiance: 81.2% Union (10,291 troops); 18.8% Confederate (2,386 troops)
• Union cavalry units formed in Maryland: 4 regiments, 1 battalion, 1 company
• Maryland’s official side in the Civil War: Union

24. New Jersey

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

• Total cavalry troops: 13,081
• Cavalry troop allegiance: 100% Union (13,081 troops)
• Union cavalry units formed in New Jersey: 3 regiments
• New Jersey’s official side in the Civil War: Union

23. Wisconsin

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

• Total cavalry troops: 15,012
• Cavalry troop allegiance: 100% Union (15,012 troops)
• Union cavalry units formed in Wisconsin: 4 regiments
• Wisconsin’s official side in the Civil War: Union

22. Massachusetts

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

• Total cavalry troops: 15,091
• Cavalry troop allegiance: 100% Union (15,091 troops)
• Union cavalry units formed in Massachusetts: 5 regiments, 3 battalions
• Massachusetts’ official side in the Civil War: Union

21. North Carolina

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

• Total cavalry troops: 15,229
• Cavalry troop allegiance: 100% Confederate (15,229 troops)
• Union cavalry units formed in North Carolina: None
• North Carolina’s official side in the Civil War: Confederate

20. West Virginia

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

• Total cavalry troops: 15,558
• Cavalry troop allegiance: 100% Union (15,558 troops)
• Union cavalry units formed in West Virginia: 7 regiments
• West Virginia’s official side in the Civil War: Union

19. Louisiana

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

• Total cavalry troops: 16,810
• Cavalry troop allegiance: 29.6% Union (4,969 troops); 70.4% Confederate (11,841 troops)
• Union cavalry units formed in Louisiana: 2 regiments
• Louisiana’s official side in the Civil War: Confederate

18. South Carolina

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

• Total cavalry troops: 18515
• Cavalry troop allegiance: 100% Confederate (18,515 troops)
• Union cavalry units formed in South Carolina: None
• South Carolina’s official side in the Civil War: Confederate

17. Kansas

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

• Total cavalry troops: 20,209
• Cavalry troop allegiance: 100% Union (20,209 troops)
• Union cavalry units formed in Kansas: 9 regiments
• Kansas’ official side in the Civil War: Union

16. Iowa

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

• Total cavalry troops: 21,651
• Cavalry troop allegiance: 100% Union (21,651 troops)
• Union cavalry units formed in Iowa: 9 regiments
• Iowa’s official side in the Civil War: Union

15. Arkansas

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

• Total cavalry troops: 25,689
• Cavalry troop allegiance: 33.9% Union (8,708 troops); 66.1% Confederate (16,981 troops)
• Union cavalry units formed in Arkansas: 4 regiments
• Arkansas’ official side in the Civil War: Confederate

14. Alabama

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

• Total cavalry troops: 28,481
• Cavalry troop allegiance: 10.0% Union (2,838 troops); 90.0% Confederate (25,643 troops)
• Union cavalry units formed in Alabama: 1 regiment
• Alabama’s official side in the Civil War: Confederate

13. Indiana

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

• Total cavalry troops: 31,155
• Cavalry troop allegiance: 100% Union (31,155 troops)
• Union cavalry units formed in Indiana: 13 regiments, 3 companies
• Indiana’s official side in the Civil War: Union

12. Georgia

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

• Total cavalry troops: 37,039
• Cavalry troop allegiance: 100% Confederate (37,039 troops)
• Union cavalry units formed in Georgia: None
• Georgia’s official side in the Civil War: Confederate

11. Michigan

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

• Total cavalry troops: 40,579
• Cavalry troop allegiance: 100% Union (40,579 troops)
• Union cavalry units formed in Michigan: 11 regiments, 2 companies
• Michigan’s official side in the Civil War: Union

10. Mississippi

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

• Total cavalry troops: 42,724
• Cavalry troop allegiance: 100% Confederate (42,724 troops)
• Union cavalry units formed in Mississippi: 2 regiments
• Mississippi’s official side in the Civil War: Confederate

9. Ohio

Source: MPI / Archive Photos via Getty Images

• Total cavalry troops: 44,919
• Cavalry troop allegiance: 100% Union (44,919 troops)
• Union cavalry units formed in Ohio: 13 regiments, 5 battalions, 10 companies
• Ohio’s official side in the Civil War: Union

8. Illinois

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

• Total cavalry troops: 58,035
• Cavalry troop allegiance: 100% Union (58,035 troops)
• Union cavalry units formed in Illinois: 17 regiments, 3 battalions, 17 companies
• Illinois’ official side in the Civil War: Union

7. Kentucky

Source: Archive Photos / Archive Photos via Getty Images

• Total cavalry troops: 61,543
• Cavalry troop allegiance: 52.2% Union (32,140 troops); 47.8% Confederate (29,403 troops)
• Union cavalry units formed in Kentucky: 17 regiments, 1 battalion
• Kentucky’s official side in the Civil War: Union

6. Virginia

Source: Lee Walters / iStock via Getty Images

• Total cavalry troops: 65,413
• Cavalry troop allegiance: 100% Confederate (65,413 troops)
• Union cavalry units formed in Virginia: 1 battalion
• Virginia’s official side in the Civil War: Confederate

5. New York

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

• Total cavalry troops: 65,711
• Cavalry troop allegiance: 100% Union (65,711 troops)
• Union cavalry units formed in New York: 32 regiments, 1 battalion, 3 companies
• New York’s official side in the Civil War: Union

4. Tennessee

Source: exit78 / Flickr

• Total cavalry troops: 82,644
• Cavalry troop allegiance: 33.9% Union (28,011 troops); 66.1% Confederate (54,633 troops)
• Union cavalry units formed in Tennessee: 20 regiments, 1 battalion
• Tennessee’s official side in the Civil War: Confederate

3. Pennsylvania

Source: MPI / Archive Photos via Getty Images

• Total cavalry troops: 89,071
• Cavalry troop allegiance: 100% Union (89,071 troops)
• Union cavalry units formed in Pennsylvania: 28 regiments, 3 battalions, 22 companies
• Pennsylvania’s official side in the Civil War: Union

2. Texas

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

• Total cavalry troops: 90,940
• Cavalry troop allegiance: 4.6% Union (4,187 troops); 95.4% Confederate (86,753 troops)
• Union cavalry units formed in Texas: 2 regiments, 2 battalions
• Texas’ official side in the Civil War: Confederate

1. Missouri

Source: Archive Photos / Archive Photos via Getty Images

• Total cavalry troops: 96,646
• Cavalry troop allegiance: 67.7% Union (65,407 troops); 32.3% Confederate (31,239 troops)
• Union cavalry units formed in Missouri: 32 regiments, 16 battalions, 10 companies
• Missouri’s official side in the Civil War: Union