| Unit Name: | 2nd Florida Cavalry (Confederate) |
| Dates: | April 1862 - May 1865 |
| Disbanded: | May 10th, 1865 |
| Allegiance: | Florida |
| Size: | Regiment |
| Role: | Cavalry |
| Battles: | American Civil War |
| Commander1: | Colonel John Carraway Smith |
| Commander1 Label: | Regiment Commander |
| Notable Commanders: | Captain J. J. Dickison |
The 2nd Florida Cavalry was a cavalry regiment of the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War.[1] [2] It was formed in Jacksonville in July of 1861, and comprised men from multiple counties, including St. John, Marion, Gadsden, Madison,[3] and Sumter. Lake County was not created until 1887, but some members of this regiment listed their place of enlistment as somewhere in the future Lake County.[4]
The regiment's commanders and staff were Colonel John Caraway Smith, Lt. Colonel Abner H. McCormick, Major Robert Harrison, and Sergeant Major W. A. Forward.[5] Its best known company commander was arguably Captain John J. Dickinson, the "Swamp Fox" of Florida.[6] [7]
The unit was organized with 1,190 men in the late spring of 1862.[8]
The regiment fought in battles such as Olustee, Gainesville, Braddock's Farm, and Natural Bridge. It was also involved in the sinking of the USS Columbine.[9]