The regiment was originally designated 12th Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry, but was changed by order of Governor Andrew Johnson on December 31, 1863.
The 13th Tennessee Cavalry was organized at Strawberry Plains, Gallatin and Nashville, Tennessee, and mustered in for a three-year enlistment under the command of Colonel John K. Miller.
The regiment was attached to District of Columbus, Kentucky, 6th Division, XVI Corps, Department of the Tennessee, to November 1863.
District of North Central Kentucky, Department of the Ohio, to January 1864.
District of Nashville, Tennessee, Department of the Cumberland, to April 1864.
3rd Brigade, 4th Division, Cavalry Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to October 1864.
3rd Brigade, Cavalry Division, District of East Tennessee, Department of the Cumberland, to July 1865.
Cavalry Brigade, District of East Tennessee, to September 1865.
Gillem's Expedition from eastern Tennessee toward southwest Virginia September 20-October 17.
Operations against Breckenridge's advance into eastern Tennessee November 4–17.
Stoneman's Expedition from eastern Tennessee into southwest Virginia and western North Carolina March 21-April 25.