16th Virginia Cavalry was formed at Camp Zirkle, near Salem, Virginia,in January, 1863, by consolidating six companies of Ferguson’s Battalion with four companies of O. Caldwell’s Battalion. The unit was assigned to Jenkins’ and McCausland’s Brigade and fought in western Virginia, including the conflict at Droop Mountain. Later it saw action at Gettysburg, returned to western Virginia, then participated in various engagements in the Shenandoah Valley. This regiment had 265 men in action at Gettysburg, and during February, 1864, there were 163 present for duty. It disbanded in April, 1865.

The field officers were Colonel Milton J. Ferguson, Lieutenant Colonel William L. Graham, and Major James H. Hounnan.

[Source: National Park Service, Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System]

West Virginia counties contributing soldiers: Cabell, McDowell, Kanawha, Putnam, Wayne

16th Virginia Cavalry – National Park Service

16th Virginia Cavalry, Virginia Regimental History Series, by Jack L. Dickinson, H.E. Howard Publishing, 1989.

16th Virginia Cavalry, Compendium of the Confederate Armies: Virginia, by Stewart Sifakis, pp. 128-129, entry #217.

16th Virginia Cavalry, A Guide to Virginia’s Military Organizations, 1861-1865, by Lee A. Wallace, Jr., pp. 58.