The regiment mustered in for a three-year enlistment under the command of Colonel Jesse H. Strickland, and was frequently referred to as the 5th East Tennessee Cavalry.
On February 6, 1864, the 10th East Tennessee Cavalry, which had failed to complete organization, was consolidated with the 8th Tennessee Cavalry and mustered under the command of Colonel Samuel K. N. Patton.
The regiment was attached to 2nd Brigade, 4th Division, XXIII Corps, Army of the Ohio, August–October 1863.
3rd Brigade, 4th Division, Cavalry Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to October 1864.
District of East Tennessee, Department of the Cumberland, to March 1865.
3rd Brigade, Cavalry Division, District of East Tennessee, to July 1865.
Cavalry Brigade, District of East Tennessee, to September 1865.
Burnside's Campaign in eastern Tennessee August 16-October 17, 1863.
Mossy Creek and Panther Gap October 27.
Operations against Breckenridge in eastern Tennessee November 4–17.
Capture and destruction of salt works at Saltville December 20–21.
Stoneman's Expedition from eastern Tennessee into southwest Virginia and western North Carolina March 21-April 25, 1865.
Duty in District of East Tennessee until September 1865.