The Virginia 3rd Cavalry was organized with independent companies and entered Confederate service on July 1, 1861. The regiment was formed with eleven companies, later reduced to ten. It was also called 2nd Regiment until October.
Its members were raised in the counties of Mecklenburg, Elizabeth City, New Kent, Halifax, Nottoway, Cumberland, Dinwiddie, and Prince Edward.
For a time six companies served in the Department of the Peninsula and four in the Valley District. Later the unit was assigned to General F. Lee's, Wickham's, and Munford's Brigade, Army of Northern Virginia. It fought in many conflicts 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 Early's operations in the Shenandoah Valley and the Appomattox Campaign.
It took 210 effectives to Gettysburg, but only 3 surrendered on April 9, 1865.
Future Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates and justice of the Virginia Supreme Court of Virginia 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, before furnishing a substitute to complete his term of service.
FIELD OFFICERS:
Colonels Thomas F. Goode, Robert Johnston, and Thomas H. Owen; Lieutenant Colonels William R. Carter, William M. Feild, and John T. Thornton; and Majors Henry Carrington and Jefferson C. Phillips.
BATTLES:
Peninsula Campaign
Seven Days' Battles
Second Battle of Manassas
Battle of Sharpsburg
Battle of Fredericksburg
Battle of Chancellorsville
Battle of Brandy Station
Battle of Gettysburg
Bristoe Campaign
Overland Campaign
Siege of Petersburg
Valley Campaigns of 1864
Appomattox Campaign
ROSTERS:
The rosters of this unit contains the names of 2217 men.
Company A (Boydton Cavalry or Mecklenburg Dragoons) - Mecklenburg County
Company B (Old Dominion Dragoons) - Elizabeth City County
Company C (Black Walnut Dragoons or Light Dragoons) - Halifax County
Company D (Charles City Troop or Light Dragoons) - Charles City County
Company E (Nottaway Troup) - Nottoway County
Company F (New Kent Cavalry or Light Dragoons) - New Kent County
Company G (Cumberland Light Dragoons) - Cumberland County
Company H (Catawba Troop) - Halifax County
Company I 1st (James City Troop or Calvary) - James City County
Company I (2nd) (Dinwiddie Calvary) - Dinwiddie County
Company K (Prince Edward Dragoons) - Prince Edward County
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
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HISTORICAL NOTES:
