The Kentucky 2nd Battalion Mounted Rifles was commissioned March 12, 1862 and completed its organization during the late fall. The unit was attached to the Department of East Tennessee, then the Department of Western Virginia and East Tennessee. It skirmished in various conflicts in the mountainous region of Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia. Early in 1865 it disbanded. Research on this unit has proven to be quite difficult. There was also a Federal Unit referred to as the 2nd Kentucky Battalion. Additionally, a Federal Colonel named Thomas Johnson also fought in the same theatre and Gen. Morgan's Cavalry did not leave very many records of their actions. For the early part of the war, the 2nd's actions follow the path of the rest of the men of Morgan's Raiders. Following Gen. Morgan's death however, the 2nd remained in Kentucky and Tennessee and Western Virginia. They did not go with the rest of Morgan's men to the Atlanta campaign.