Roster of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865, shows:
Helton, John KS 2nd Cav. Co.I
Helton, John F. KS 2nd Cav. Co.D
indicating that this is probably the same man and that he served in two different companies of the 2nd Kansas Cavalry.
2nd KANSAS CAVALRy
Began organization in Oct 1861 for State service & originally designated 12th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry
Dec 1861, unit consisted of 9 companies, designated as 9th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry; co K added in Jan 1862
02/04/62 - Co's F,G,H & I mustered out
02/28/62 - Co's G,H & I 2nd Kansas Inf [3 mos] & now reorganized assigned to regt
03/15/62 redesignated 2nd Kansas Volunteer Cavalry
03/27/62 - redesignated 2nd Kansas Cavalry
Mustered in 05/07/62, stationed at Leavenworth, Quindaro, Shawneetown & Fort Riley
04/22/62 - 150 men had been assigned to Fort Leavenworth for duty with a battery of six 10-pounder Parrott guns, known as Hopkin's Battery
05/16/62 - Squadrons A & D ordered to Fort Lyon, Col for special duty
06/09/62 - regt ordered to join the Indian Expedition, concentrating at Humboldt, leaving the garrison at Fort Riley
Squadrons B & C took garrison duty
06/22/62 - Squadrons B & C ordered to relief of Fort Larned, threatened by hostile Indians
Squadrons A, B, C & D did not rejoin regt until 09/22/62
BATTLES & SKIRMISHES:
Coon Creek, Newtonia, Hazel Bottom, Elk Horn Tavern, Sugar Creek, Cross Hollow, Old Fort Wayne, Boonesboro, Cove Creek, Pineville, Cane Hill, Carthage, Boston Mountain, Reed's Mountain, Prairie Grove, Dripping Spring, Twice at Bentonville, Carthage, honey Springs, Perryville, Devil's Backbone, Twice at Dardanelle, Choctaw Nation, 4 times at Roseville, Clarksville, 3 times at Caddo Gap, Baker's Spring, Little Missouri River, Sulpher Springs, Dallas, twice at Waldron, Mountain Fork, Caddo Mountain, Scott's Farm, Danville, Prairie d'Ane, Poison Springs, Jenkin's Ferry, twice at Fort Smith, Crawford County, Fort Gibson, & Cabin Creek.
Captured a battery at the battle of Old Fort Wayne
CASUALTIES: 2 officers & 62 enlisted men killed or died of wounds; 1 officer & 93 men by disease
mustered out 06/22/65 at Fort Gibson, I.T.
[The Union Army, Vol IV, pgs 205-206]