The 3rd Virginia Cavalry Regiment was a

cavalry Historically, cavalry (from the French word ''cavalerie'', itself derived from "cheval" meaning "horse") are soldiers or warriors who fight mounted on horseback. Cavalry were the most mobile of the combat arms, operating as light cavalry ...

regiment A regiment is a military unit. Its role and size varies markedly, depending on the country, service and/or a specialisation. In Medieval Europe, the term "regiment" denoted any large body of front-line soldiers, recruited or conscripted ...

raised in Tidewater and Southside

Virginia Virginia, officially the Commonwealth of Virginia, is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States, between the Atlantic Coast and the Appalachian Mountains. The geography and climate of the Commonwealth ar ...

for service in the

Confederate States Army The Confederate States Army, also called the Confederate Army or the Southern Army, was the military land force of the Confederate States of America (commonly referred to as the Confederacy) during the American Civil War (1861–1865), fighting ...

during the

American Civil War The American Civil War (April 12, 1861 – May 26, 1865; also known by other names) was a civil war in the United States. It was fought between the Union ("the North") and the Confederacy ("the South"), the latter formed by states th ...

. Initially assigned to defend the

Hampton Roads Hampton Roads is the name of both a body of water in the United States that serves as a wide channel for the James River, James, Nansemond River, Nansemond and Elizabeth River (Virginia), Elizabeth rivers between Old Point Comfort and Sewell's ...

area, it fought mostly with the

Army of Northern Virginia The Army of Northern Virginia was the primary military force of the Confederate States of America in the Eastern Theater of the American Civil War. It was also the primary command structure of the Department of Northern Virginia. It was most oft ...

. As shown by the company table below, members were raised in eight counties:

Mecklenburg Mecklenburg (; nds, label=Low German, Mękel(n)borg ) is a historical region in northern Germany comprising the western and larger part of the federal-state Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. The largest cities of the region are Rostock, Schwerin ...

Elizabeth City Elizabeth City is a city in Pasquotank County, North Carolina, United States. As of the 2020 census, it had a population of 18,629. Elizabeth City is the county seat and largest city of Pasquotank County. It is the cultural, economic and educ ...

, New Kent, Halifax, Nottoway,

Cumberland Cumberland ( ) is a historic county in the far North West England. It covers part of the Lake District as well as the north Pennines and Solway Firth coast. Cumberland had an administrative function from the 12th century until 1974. From 19 ...

, Dinwiddie, and Prince Edward Counties.

History

The 3rd Virginia Cavalry was organized with independent companies and entered Confederate service on July 1, 1861. On June 28, 1861 the Boydton Cavalry and the Cumberland Light Dragoons rode off to defend

Yorktown, Virginia Yorktown is a census-designated place (CDP) in York County, Virginia. It is the county seat of York County, one of the eight original shires formed in colonial Virginia in 1682. Yorktown's population was 195 as of the 2010 census, while York Cou ...

under command of CSA General

John B. Magruder John Bankhead Magruder (May 1, 1807 – February 18, 1871) was an American and Confederate military officer. A graduate of West Point, Magruder served with distinction during the Mexican–American War (1846–1848) and was a prominent Confede ...

, and would there meet seven "veteran" cavalry companies, some of whom had already exchanged fire with Union Troops from

Fort Monroe Fort Monroe, managed by partnership between the Fort Monroe Authority for the Commonwealth of Virginia, the National Park Service as the Fort Monroe National Monument, and the City of Hampton, is a former military installation in Hampton, Virgi ...

. There Lt.

John Bell Hood John Bell Hood (June 1 or June 29, 1831 – August 30, 1879) was a Confederate general during the American Civil War. Although brave, Hood's impetuosity led to high losses among his troops as he moved up in rank. Bruce Catton wrote that "the dec ...

, who had traveled eastward from Richmond upon orders of General Robert E. Lee drilled them in cavalry techniques. The regiment was formed with eleven companies, later reduced to ten. It was also called 2nd Regiment until October 1, 1861, when placed under the command of Col. Robert Johnston (an 1850 West Point graduate who had spent a decade as lieutenant of cavalry), with Lt. Hood promoted to lieutenant colonel. However, Hood's tenure with the unit only lasted another two weeks, when he was promoted to full colonel and assigned to command the 4th Texas Infantry. Furthermore in the reorganization and elections of April 25, 1862, Lt. Col. Thomas F. Goode replaced Col. Johnston, who was voted out of office. Capt. John P. Thornton of the Prince Edward Dragoons was then named Lt. Col., defeating Maj. Jefferson C. Phillips, who was then appointed Lt.Col. of the 13th Virginia cavalry. Between September 1861 and April 1862, 93% of the officers at captain or higher grades changed, none as a result of battle casualties. For a time six of its companies served in the Department of the Peninsula and four in the Valley District. Later the unit was assigned to General Fitzhugh Lee's, then Wickham's, and finally Munford's Brigade, all in the Army of Northern Virginia. It fought in many noted battles from Williamsburg to Fredericksburg, then was involved in the engagements at Kelly's Ford, Chancellorsville, Brandy Station, Upperville, Gettysburg, Bristoe, Mine Run, The Wilderness, Todd's Tavern, Spotsylvania, Haw's Shop, and Cold Harbor. The 3rd went on to participate in Gen. Jubal Early's operations in the Shenandoah Valley and its service ended with the Appomattox Campaign. It took 210 effectives to Gettysburg, but only 3 surrendered on April 9, 1865.

Companies and officers

Its commanders were Colonels Robert Johnston, Thomas F. Goode, and Thomas H. Owen; Lieutenant Colonels

John B. Hood John Bell Hood (June 1 or June 29, 1831 – August 30, 1879) was a Confederate general during the American Civil War. Although brave, Hood's impetuosity led to high losses among his troops as he moved up in rank. Bruce Catton wrote that "the dec ...

, Thomas F. Goode, Thomas H. Owen
William R. Carter
William M. Feild, and John T. Thornton; and Majors John B. Hood, Thomas F. Goode, William R. Carter, Robert Douthat, Jefferson C. Phillips and Henry Carrington Jr. During his time with the regiment Carter kept a field diary, parts of which were published in 1998 under the title ''Sabres, Saddles, and Spurs''. Future Speaker of the

Virginia House of Delegates The Virginia House of Delegates is one of the two parts of the Virginia General Assembly, the other being the Senate of Virginia. It has 100 members elected for terms of two years; unlike most states, these elections take place during odd-numbe ...

and justice of the Virginia

Supreme Court of Virginia The Supreme Court of Virginia is the highest court in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It primarily hears direct appeals in civil cases from the trial-level city and county circuit courts, as well as the criminal law, family law and administrative ...

Benjamin W. Lacy commanded a company in the 3rd Virginia. Confederate surgeon and Civil War diarist Dr. Richard Eppes initially served with the 3rd Virginia cavalry, before furnishing a substitute to complete his term of service.

References

*{{USGovernment, url=http://www.civilwar.nps.gov/cwss/regiments.cfm, title=Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System, agency=National Park Service Units and formations of the Confederate States Army from Virginia 1861 establishments in Virginia Military units and formations established in 1861 1865 disestablishments in Virginia Military units and formations disestablished in 1865

History

Companies and officers

See also

References