64th Virginia Mounted Infantry
Encyclopedia
The 64th Virginia Mounted Infantry Regiment, raised in Virginia
for service in the Confederate States Army
during the American Civil War
, served as an infantry
regiment
, a cavalry
regiment, and a mounted infantry (dragoon
) unit. It fought mostly in western Virginia and Tennessee.
The 64th Regiment Virginia Mounted Infantry was organized in December 1862, by consolidating the 21st and 29th Battalions Virginia Infantry. Prior to September 1, 1863, it was known as the 64th Virginia Infantry, and after that date it was also called the 64th Virginia Cavalry.
On September 9, a large part of this unit was captured at Cumberland Gap. Later it served in Williams', Giltner's, and W.E. Jones' Brigade and confronted the Federals in various conflicts in East Tennessee, western Virginia, and North Carolina.
During April 1864, it totaled 268 effectives, but in April 1865, less than 50 disbanded.
The field officers were Colonels Auburn L. Pridemore, a future Congressman, and Campbell Slemp, future Congressman Lieutenant Colonel James B. Richmond, and Major Harvey Gray.
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...
, served as an infantry
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
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...
, a cavalry
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, and a mounted infantry (dragoon
Dragoon
The word dragoon originally meant mounted infantry, who were trained in horse riding as well as infantry fighting skills. However, usage altered over time and during the 18th century, dragoons evolved into conventional light cavalry units and personnel...
) unit. It fought mostly in western Virginia and Tennessee.
The 64th Regiment Virginia Mounted Infantry was organized in December 1862, by consolidating the 21st and 29th Battalions Virginia Infantry. Prior to September 1, 1863, it was known as the 64th Virginia Infantry, and after that date it was also called the 64th Virginia Cavalry.
On September 9, a large part of this unit was captured at Cumberland Gap. Later it served in Williams', Giltner's, and W.E. Jones' Brigade and confronted the Federals in various conflicts in East Tennessee, western Virginia, and North Carolina.
During April 1864, it totaled 268 effectives, but in April 1865, less than 50 disbanded.
The field officers were Colonels Auburn L. Pridemore, a future Congressman, and Campbell Slemp, future Congressman Lieutenant Colonel James B. Richmond, and Major Harvey Gray.