The 15th Virginia Volunteer Cavalry Regiment was a
cavalry
Historically, cavalry (from the French word ''cavalerie'', itself derived from ''cheval'' meaning "horse") are groups of soldiers or warriors who Horses in warfare, fight mounted on horseback. Until the 20th century, cavalry were the most mob ...
regiment
A regiment is a military unit. Its role and size varies markedly, depending on the country, military service, service, or administrative corps, specialisation.
In Middle Ages, Medieval Europe, the term "regiment" denoted any large body of l ...
raised in
Virginia
Virginia, officially the Commonwealth of Virginia, is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States between the East Coast of the United States ...
for service in the
Confederate States Army
The Confederate States Army (CSA), also called the Confederate army or the Southern army, was the Military forces of the Confederate States, military land force of the Confederate States of America (commonly referred to as the Confederacy) duri ...
during the
American Civil War
The American Civil War (April 12, 1861May 26, 1865; also known by Names of the American Civil War, other names) was a civil war in the United States between the Union (American Civil War), Union ("the North") and the Confederate States of A ...
. It fought mostly with the
Army of Northern Virginia
The Army of Northern Virginia was a field army of the Confederate States Army 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 often arrayed agains ...
.
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 Army of Northern Virginia was a field army of the Confederate States Army 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 often arrayed agains ...
, 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
John Critcher (March 11, 1820 – September 27, 1901) was a U.S. Representative from Virginia.
Early and family life
Born at Oak Grove, Westmoreland County, Virginia on March 11, 1820 to John Critcher and his wife, the former Sally Winter Covi ...
, and Major Edgar Burroughs.
See also
*
List of Virginia Civil War units
A list is a set of discrete items of information collected and set forth in some format for utility, entertainment, or other purposes. A list may be memorialized in any number of ways, including existing only in the mind of the list-maker, but ...
References
*
Units and formations of the Confederate States Army from Virginia
1862 establishments in Virginia
Military units and formations established in 1862
1865 disestablishments in Virginia
Military units and formations disestablished in 1865
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