CONFEDERATE CAVALRY AT FIRST MANASSAS +
1st Regiment Virginia Cavalry: Col. J.E.B. Stuart
Aide-de-Camp – Lt. William Willis Blackford (PC)
- Co. A, Newtown Light Dragoons: Capt: J.H. Drake
- Co. B, Berkeley Troop: Capt. J.B. Hoge (Attacked 11th NY)
- Co. C, Rockbridge Dragoons: Capt. M.H. White
- Pvt William Z. Mead (PC)
- Co. D, Clarke Cavalry: Lt. William Taylor
- Co. E, Valley Rangers: Capt. Wm. Patrick
- Co. F, Shepherdstown Troop: Capt. J.Reinhart
- Co. G, Amelia Light Dragoons: Capt. C.R. Irving
- Co. H, Loudoun Light Horse: Capt. R.W. Carter (Attacked 11th NY)
- Co. I, Harrisonburg Cavalry: Capt. T.L. Yancey
- Co. K, River Rangers: Capt. E.S. Yancey
- Co. L, Washington Mounted Rifles: Capt. Wm. E. Jones (Pvt. J.S.Mosby)
- Co. M, Howard Dragoons: Capt. G.R. Gaither
(Note: Only Companies A, B, C, D, H, L, & M were present at First Manassas.)
HQs Escort, Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard
- Little Fork Rangers: Capt. R.E. Utterback
- Powhatan Troop: Capt. J.F. Lay
Ewell’s Brigade
- Lt.Col. Walter H. Jenifer’s Battalion
- Governor’s Mounted Guard: Capt. J.G. Cabell
- Goochland Light Dragoons: Capt. J. Harrison
- Rappahannock Cavalry: Capt. J.S. Green
D.R. Jones’ Brigade
- Appomattox Rangers*: Capt. J.W. Flood
Longstreet’s Brigade
-
Amherst Mounted Rangers*: Capt. Edgar Whitehead
Bonham’s Brigade
-
Col. Radford’s Squadron, 30th Va. Cavalry:
-
Lt. Col. Munford’s Squadron, 30th Va. Cavalry
- Unknown (PC)
-
Black Horse Troop*: Capt. Wm. H. Payne
-
Chesterfield Light Dragoons*: Capt. Wm. B. Ball
-
Franklin Rangers*: Capt. G.W.H. Hale
Cocke’s Brigade
Evans’ Brigade
-
Clay Dragoons*: Capt. Wm. Terry
-
Campbell Rangers*: Capt. J.D. Alexander
Holmes’s Brigade
- Albemarle Light Horse: Capt. Eugene Davis/Major John Scott (joined pursuit)
- Unknown (PC)
Unattached Independent Companies
-
Prince William Cavalry: Capt. Wm.W. Thornton (at Mitchell’s Ford)
-
Madison Cavalry: Capt. Wm Thomas (No documentation)
-
Loudoun Cavalry: Capt. Wm. W. Mead (joined in pursuit)
* Attached to the 30th Va. Cavalry, Col. R.C.W. Radford cmdg.
+ This Order of Battle compiled by and provided courtesy of Ranger Jim Burgess, Manassas National Battlefield Park
Harry Smeltzer
Bull Runnings 
[…] National Battlefield Park has once again come through with flying colors. Jim provided me with a Confederate Cavalry order of battle for First Bull Run. I’ve added a page for this OOB under First Bull Run Resources in the right hand column. […]
LikeLike
Hi,
Do you have more specific information about the incident listed above: Company B, Berkeley Troop attacked the 11th NY? Thanks.
LikeLike
The Berkeley Troop was part of Stuart’s 1st VA cavalry. Convention has the regiment attacking the Fire Zouaves after they fell back to the Sudley Rd. Descriptions, such as Blackford’s, describe a regiment as one clotehd more like the 14th Brooklyn than the 11th NY. However, it’s possible that he wrote his account later to be a little more dramatic, under the impression that the 11th NY were wearing Zouave uniforms with red trousers, which they were not. See here.
LikeLike
Do you know where Col, R.W. Carter died and is buried?
LikeLike
Per Allardice “Confederate Colonels”, Col. Richard Welby Carter of the 1st VA Cav. died 12/18/1888 in Loudon County and is buried in the Carter family cemetery at “Crendel” in Loudon County. “Carter was widely disliked by officers and men, with such comments as ‘whitle livered,’ ‘a coward,’ ‘fat and looking greasy.’ He and his regiment broke at Tom’s Brook, largely causing the Confederate rout there.”
LikeLike
I should add that Carter was cashiered for cowardice after Tom’s Brook.
LikeLike
Custer had the upper hand and Col. Mumford and Col. Carter disengaged and went to New Market where they were to reassemble in the event of a loss at Tom’s Brook. Both were punished but Mumford was exhonerated. Carter was not. It was the end of the war, he was taken prisoner and ended the war in prison at Fort Delaware. Tom Rosser could not admit to defeat and these two Colonels were his scapegoats. Mumford stated after the war that an injustice had been done to Col. Carter.
LikeLike
Where did you find the quote regarding R. W. Carter’s reputation among his men?
LikeLike
Henry,
As I said above, see Bruce Allardice, “Confederate Colonels”.
LikeLike
Carter died in 1889, not 1888. He is buried in the family plot at Crednal, not Crendal.
LikeLike
Jim, thanks for the input. I have two sources (Krick and Allardice) who list Carter’s death as 1888, and one (Allardice) who spells the family cemetery “Crendel”. While I’m willing to concede they may be wrong, I’ll need a little more than your say-so to go by. Whaddya got?
LikeLike
Jim and I are greatgrandsons of Richard Welby Carter and just visited Crednal and the grave of Col. Carter along with about 65 cousins. We know what we are talking about
LikeLike
Cool. This site confirms the spelling is in fact “Crednal”. But Findagrave also lists the death year as 1888. Since you were just there at the cemetery, do you perhaps have a photo of his marker? Otherwise, I have to take your word for it and since I don’t know you, I can’t do that just yet. Thanks for taking the time to comment here – it would be great to settle this to everyone’s satisfaction. I’ll pass along your correction on the spelling of “Crednal”, but need something more on the death date. Once we get everything nailed down, I’ll be happy to make a post that clarifies the correct information.
LikeLike
I feel I am getting to know you. The stone reads as follows
CARTER
RICHARD WELBY
March 11, 1837
December 22, 1889
Col. 1st Va. Cav. C.S.A.
HIS WIFE
SOPHIA DEBUTTS
March 11, 1841
May 30, 1928
LikeLike
OK, I believe you. But a picture is a thousand words. Got one? Maybe if I can see it, it will explain whay so many folks (including one genealogy site I found) seem to think the death year is 1888. You can send it to hjs21 at comcast.net.
LikeLike
Harry, Picture sent. Thanks, Hank
LikeLike
[…] on Richard Welby Carter of the 1st VA Cavalry (you’ll find most of the Carter comments here). My response: Per Allardice “Confederate Colonels”, Col. Richard Welby Carter of the 1st VA […]
LikeLike
on Richard Welby Carter (my Graet Grandfather)…..much can be debated on his record, and the records that record the history of The War Between the States, but what is undisputable is the fact that RW Carter committed his life and a great deal of his own personal fortune to the cause of the CSA. Nearly a century and a half has passed since, and it is difficult for anyone to know which of the following is more true: 1. The statement made above; “He(Carter) and his regiment broke at Tom’s Brook, largely causing the Confederate rout there.” or 2. The rout of the Confederates at Tom’s Brook caused Carter to make make the wise decision to withdraw and regroup. And finally; for anyone interested in Richard Welby Carter, I offer the following which is cut and pasted from the records of Alumni at The Virginia Military Institute Archives (I see others think he died in 1988 also): -Richard Welby Carter, Class of 1859: Born- March 11, 1837. Matriculated from Upperville, Va. At VMI 1 year. Military Record: Capt., militia cavalry co. with Va. forces that occupied Harpers Ferry on April 18, 1861. Entered CS service on April 27, 1861, at Union, Va., for 1 year as Capt., Co. H, 1st Va. Cavalry. Commanded co. of couriers and guard at army HQ and acted as Aide de Camp to Maj. Gen. G. W. Smith in May, 1862. To Maj. July 24, 1862. LtCol in 1862 or 1863. Appointed Col. on Aug 12, 1863. Captured Dec. 17, 1863, near Upperville, Va. Held at Camp Chase, Oh; Ft. Delaware, De. In June, 1864, one of the officers sent to Hilton Head Island, SC, to be placed under CS fire (a seperate group from the “Immortal 600”). Exchanged on Aug. 4, 1864. Court martialed for cowardice at Tom’s Brook and cashiered. Captured in Fauquier Co. on Feb. 21, 1865. Released on oath from Ft. Delaware, De., on July 19, 1865. Post War Career: Farmer. Married Sophia Butts Carter, 1867. Died- Dec. 21, 1888, in Loudoun Co., Va.
LikeLike
Harry, Could you tell my cousin J. Mackenzie (Mac) Tabb to contact me? I have lost his address and have alot of pictures to send him re our family reunion. Thanks, Hank Truslow
LikeLike
This is just a general query. I’m having a lot of difficulty in locating information on the 21st Virginia Cavalry, specifically Company K, but anything on the 21st would be welcome. I have a 3great-grandfather who served in that regiment, and I would like to know the unit history/battles/engagements/etc.
Any direction or information would be extremely welcome.
Thanks so much!
LikeLike
Lisa,
Try this book: http://www.amazon.com/21st-Virginia-Cavalry-Regimental-Histories/dp/0930919815
Harry
LikeLike
I had a relative, P.W. Tevault, who served in company K, 1st Va. Cavalry under E.S Yancey. I know he died in prison, but do you have any other details of his service. Incidentally, I appreciate the work you do.
LikeLike
Mark – no info off the top of my head, but let me see if I can find anything.
LikeLike
Harry do you have anything more specific about Capt. J.B. Hoge, of Co. B, Berkeley Troop?
LikeLike
Not at this time, J. W.
LikeLike
Harry, I was extremely grateful to find your note that Co. I (Harrisonburg Cavalry) of the 1st Va Cavalry did not participate in First Manassas (although I’d already sketched out a scene for the battle for my novel-in-progress, which I had to ditch). Do you have any information as to why? Were they among the units left behind to screen movements toward the battle from the Federals?
Any information you have about Captain Thomas L. Yancey (liked or disliked by his men, physical description, etc.) is most welcome.
Thank you.
Marsha Ward
Author of The Owen Family Saga
(Trying to get the history right)
LikeLike
Marsha, I received this Cavalry OOB from the NPS. I’m confused myself, because Jonathan Soffe’s site shows that at least one fatality occurred in the company at the battle, See here: http://firstbullrun.co.uk/Shenandoah/Unassigned/1st-virginia-cavalry.html
LikeLike
Thank you for the additional reference, Harry. How could the government get their information wrong? Heh-heh.
LikeLike
The area of study relating to what units and how many soldiers were present at any given time is really underdeveloped. We’ll see lots more progress in this area as time goes by and more and more folks have access to records, especially on line. We are in the golden age of Civil War research, if you ask me, and it’s regular folks who are going to be making big contributions.
LikeLike
FYI, here is the text of the 7/29/1861 Richmond Daily Dispatch that was noted in the link I provided earlier:
Another gallant soldier gone.
We learn (says the Register) that our young friend, George W. Messick, son of Gessner Messick, of this vicinity, a member of Capt. T. L. Yancey’s troop of cavalry, was killed in the battle of Sunday last, near Manassas Junction. He had, we learn, been ordered to make a charge for the rescue of some prisoners, when he received a shot in the head, which killed him instantly. He was a gallant soldier, and met his death like a patriot.
LikeLike
Excellent! Thank you for going the extra mile to answer my questions.
LikeLike