Short History of the 19th Virginia Cavalry

By John Miller

Mingo Flats was one of a many areas of operations  in West Virginia that the 19th Virginia Cavalry operated from.

April of 1863, Colonel William Jackson was given authority to raise a regiment of Cavalry to operate in the western areas of modern day West Virginia. One of the new regiments was the 19th Virginia Cavalry and the other was the 20th.

The 19th Virginia Cavalry was made up of several independent cavalry companies that previously saw service with the Virginia State Line. This included the Moccasins who were viewed as nothing more than a band of outlaws. The War Department wanted the Virginia State Line to disband. Many of those who served in the 3rd Virginia State Line served in company A of the 19th Virginia Cavalry.

For their first task, they were sent on scouting detail and kept a close eye on the Federal Troops. The 19th Virginia Cavalry spent the spring on a series of raids one of them called the Jones and Imboden Raid. This raid went completely around West Virginia and entered Oakland, Maryland. The purpose of the raid was to destroy the B & O railroad over hangs that were vital to the Federals thus cutting off their supply line temporarily from the west. On April 24, the raid carried over to Beverly, West Virginia where they engaged in a small skirmish that captured several Union troops.

On October 13, 1863, Colonel William L. Jackson attacked a Union outpost on a hilltop at Bulltown. After several attempts to gain the surrender of the Federal garrison, Colonel Jackson retreated after 12 hours of fighting. For the next several weeks, Jackson’s cavalry spent their time scouting and picketing in West Virginia. The next big challenge for Jackson’s Brigade of Cavalry came on November 6 when Union forces led by General William W. Averell were on their way to Lewisburg during a raid.

Problems often occurred in Jackson's Brigade. The shortage of equipment and horses were a major concern while conducting campaigns in the West Virginia. Because of this many cavalrymen were dismounted and forced to conduct themselves as infantry. Many Federal soldiers adopted the nickname for William Jackson as "Mud Wall". Saying Jackson's Brigade could not withstand a major fight. This would soon change.

On November 6th, the main regiment of the 19th Virginia Cavalry was with Colonel Jackson at Mill Point. They were supported by Lurty’s Battery. Colonel Jackson sent word to General Echols who was encamped at Lewisburg. Stalling Averell’s advance Colonel Jackson concentrated his forces at Mill Point. Skirmishing soon broke out forcing Jackson’s command to the summit of Droop Mountain.

About 9 in the morning the next day, General John Echols arrived on the mountain and assumed command of all the forces there. The Confederate Army at Droop Mountain consisted of the 22nd Virginia, 23rd Virginia Battalion, 20th Virginia Cavalry, 16th Virginia, and the batteries of Chapman and Jackson. Colonel George Patton commanded the left wing leaving Colonel Jackson commanding the center.

After several hours of fighting the left flank of the Confederates gave out due to the lack of manpower. Shortly afterwards the center started to give way. General Echols soon gave the order to fall back to Lewisburg.

During 1864 Jackson's command would support General Early on his Raid of Washington. Later in the summer the 19th Virginia Cavalry along with the rest of Jackson’s command would be attached to General Lomax’s Cavalry Division, fighting in many cavalry battles in the Shenandoah Valley. They would do the Confederate Army great service and became very respected amongst the soldiers in Early's command.

By 1865 Colonel William Jackson was promoted to General in command of a larger brigade consisting of parts of General Jones's brigade. On April 9th, the 19th Virginia Cavalry was at Lynchburg when news came about the surrender at Appomattox. Refusing to surrender, they fought their last skirmish on April 18. By May 4th, the last of Jackson's Cavalry had surrendered and taken oaths, however due to the delay and a change of meeting places many members were placed under arrest and awaited parole and to be exchanged. Many just simply went home.