Hello Harry,

The command that Woodward had in the winter of 1861-1862 was not the 2nd KY Cavalry (Woodward's) as that unit did not form until early 1863. Woodward and his three company (I think - might have been only two) battalion of the Oak Grove Rangers, was then part of the 1st KY Cavalry (Helm's) which was a one years regiment that fell apart in June/July 1862. Woodward then came back to the Hopkinsville, KY area and recruited what would be called Woodward's KY Battalion which fought under that name through the end of 1862 including with Forrest at Parker's Crossroads in late December 1862.

As he was forming his battalion, Woodward linked up with Adam Rankin Johnson, which was then forming his own 10th KY Partisan Rangers, in their joint attack on Clarksville, TN in August 1862. After taking the town, Woodward and much of the combined command went after the Union garrison at Dover, TN and was defeated there. Woodward and his men were chased from Clarksville in September 1862 by a Union brigade.

With the 2nd KY Cavalry and some added troops, Woodward laid an ambush on the Cumberland River at Palmyra and fired into Union transports in April 1863. Woodward led this regiment into 1864 and was then replaced in command as he failed to file ant reports to the CS War Department. Woodward was killed attacking Hopkinsville while raising a new command.

As for your ancestor the Compiled Service Records for KY troops at at the KY State Archives on microfilm and online via the subscription site www.Fold3.com.

Greg Biggs