A soldier from the Second New York Cavalry is featured in Chapter XIII of MacKinlay Kantor's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel "Andersonville" (1955).

Colonel J. Mansfield Davies was authorized by the War Department to recruit the regiment, unofficially known as the Harris Light Cavalry, on July 25, 1861.

Its twelve companies were recruited as follows: The regiment was organized at Scarsdale, New York, where it was mustered into Federal service for a term of three years between August 9 and October 8, 1861.

[3][4] After Bayard's death, the brigade that included the regiment came under the command of Brigadier General David McMurtrie Gregg on December 15.

Eight new companies, recruited for a one year term of service, expanded the 2nd New York Cavalry to a regiment again by their addition in September and October.

[1] The eight new companies were recruited as follows: Harhaus was mustered out on September 10, leaving regimental Major Walter Clark Hull in command.