15th Virginia Cavalry
Encyclopedia
The 15th Virginia Volunteer Cavalry Regiment was a cavalry
regiment
raised in Virginia
for service in the Confederate States Army
during the American Civil War
. It fought mostly with the Army of Northern Virginia
.
Virginia’s 15th Cavalry Regiment was formed in September 1862, by consolidating the 14th and 15th Battalions, Virginia Cavalry. The 14th Battalion, Virginia Cavalry (also called the Chesapeake Battalion) was organized in May 1862, with four companies. It included three companies from the 5th Regiment Virginia Cavalry in the Provisional Confederate Army. The unit served under General Daniel at Malvern Hill, then was assigned to Robert Ransom's Brigade. Major Edgar Burroughs was in command when it was consolidated. The 15th Battalion, Virginia Cavalry (also called the Northern Neck Rangers) was also organized during the spring of 1862 with four companies. Attached to the Army of Northern Virginia
, the unit served under J.E.B. Stuart
. Major John Critcher was in command when it was consolidated.
The consolidated unit served in W.H.F. Lee's, Lomax's, and Payne's Brigade, Army of Northern Virginia. It was active in the Chancellorsville Campaign and later reported 2 killed and 14 wounded during the operations around Bristoe. The regiment continued the fight at Mine Run and The Wilderness, then saw action about Cold Harbor.
It moved with Early to the Shenandoah Valley and on November 8, 1864, was absorbed by the 5th Virginia Cavalry
. The field officers were Colonels William B. Ball and Charles R. Collins, Lieutenant Colonel John Critcher, and Major Edgar Burroughs.
Cavalry
Cavalry or horsemen were soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback. Cavalry were historically the third oldest and the most mobile of the combat arms...
regiment
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
raised in Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
for service in the Confederate States Army
Confederate States Army
The Confederate States Army was the army of the Confederate States of America while the Confederacy existed during the American Civil War. On February 8, 1861, delegates from the seven Deep South states which had already declared their secession from the United States of America adopted the...
during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. It fought mostly with the Army of Northern Virginia
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, as well as the primary command structure of the Department of Northern Virginia. It was most often arrayed against the Union Army of the Potomac...
.
Virginia’s 15th Cavalry Regiment was formed in September 1862, by consolidating the 14th and 15th Battalions, Virginia Cavalry. The 14th Battalion, Virginia Cavalry (also called the Chesapeake Battalion) was organized in May 1862, with four companies. It included three companies from the 5th Regiment Virginia Cavalry in the Provisional Confederate Army. The unit served under General Daniel at Malvern Hill, then was assigned to Robert Ransom's Brigade. Major Edgar Burroughs was in command when it was consolidated. The 15th Battalion, Virginia Cavalry (also called the Northern Neck Rangers) was also organized during the spring of 1862 with four companies. Attached to the Army of Northern Virginia
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, as well as the primary command structure of the Department of Northern Virginia. It was most often arrayed against the Union Army of the Potomac...
, the unit served under J.E.B. Stuart
J.E.B. Stuart
James Ewell Brown "Jeb" Stuart was a U.S. Army officer from Virginia and a Confederate States Army general during the American Civil War. He was known to his friends as "Jeb", from the initials of his given names. Stuart was a cavalry commander known for his mastery of reconnaissance and the use...
. Major John Critcher was in command when it was consolidated.
The consolidated unit served in W.H.F. Lee's, Lomax's, and Payne's Brigade, Army of Northern Virginia. It was active in the Chancellorsville Campaign and later reported 2 killed and 14 wounded during the operations around Bristoe. The regiment continued the fight at Mine Run and The Wilderness, then saw action about Cold Harbor.
It moved with Early to the Shenandoah Valley and on November 8, 1864, was absorbed by the 5th Virginia Cavalry
5th Virginia Cavalry
The 5th Virginia Volunteer Cavalry Regiment was a cavalry regiment raised in Virginia for service in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. It fought mostly with the Army of Northern Virginia....
. The field officers were Colonels William B. Ball and Charles R. Collins, Lieutenant Colonel John Critcher, and Major Edgar Burroughs.