The 15th Virginia Volunteer 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

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 ...

. 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 ...

. 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

, the unit served under

J.E.B. Stuart James Ewell Brown "Jeb" Stuart (February 6, 1833May 12, 1864) was a United States Army officer from Virginia who became a Confederate States Army general during the American Civil War. He was known to his friends as "Jeb,” from the initials of ...

. 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 5th Virginia 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 Virginia 5th Cavalry was organized in J ...

. 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 (1799–1854) and his wife, the former Sa ...

, and Major Edgar Burroughs.

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 {{AmericanCivilWar-unit-stub

See also

References