2nd Colorado Infantry Regiment
Encyclopedia
The 2nd Colorado Infantry Regiment was an infantry
regiment
during the American Civil War
from the state of Colorado. On October 13, 1863 the 2nd Colorado Infantry was consolidated with the 3rd Colorado Infantry Regiment in order to create the 2nd Colorado Cavalry Regiment.
was authorized by Governor William Gilpin
to organize volunteers as a company of infantry. Theodore H. Dodd was appointed command of a second company of volunteers by Governor Gilpin on August 30. Both companies were raised and initially drilled in Cañon City, but by mid-December both companies had marched to Fort Garland
in the San Luis Valley
.
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
regiment
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
from the state of Colorado. On October 13, 1863 the 2nd Colorado Infantry was consolidated with the 3rd Colorado Infantry Regiment in order to create the 2nd Colorado Cavalry Regiment.
Prior to official formation
On August 29, 1861, James Hobart FordJames Hobart Ford
James Hobart Ford was a Union general during the American Civil War, notable for his contributions in the Trans-Mississippi Theater of the war.-Early life:...
was authorized by Governor William Gilpin
William Gilpin (governor)
William Gilpin was a 19th century U.S. explorer, politician, land speculator, and futurist writer about the American West. He served as military officer in the United States Army during several wars, accompanied John C. Frémont on his second expedition through the West, and was instrumental in the...
to organize volunteers as a company of infantry. Theodore H. Dodd was appointed command of a second company of volunteers by Governor Gilpin on August 30. Both companies were raised and initially drilled in Cañon City, but by mid-December both companies had marched to Fort Garland
Fort Garland
Fort Garland , Colorado, USA, was designed to house two companies of soldiers to protect settlers in the San Luis Valley, which was the Territory of New Mexico...
in the San Luis Valley
San Luis Valley
The San Luis Valley is an extensive alpine valley in the U.S. states of Colorado and New Mexico covering approximately and sitting at an average elevation of above sea level. The valley sits atop the Rio Grande Rift and is drained to the south by the Rio Grande River, which rises in the San Juan...
.