17th Virginia Cavalry was organized at Salem, Virginia, in January, 1863, by consolidating the 33rd Battalion Virginia Cavalry with three new companies. It was assigned to Jenkins’ and McCausland’s Brigade, was active in the Gettysburg Campaign, then returned to western Virginia. The regiment fought at Cloyd’s Mountain, was with Early in the Shenandoah Valley, and saw action around Appomattox. There were 241 engaged at Gettysburg and during February, 1864, it contained 311 effectives. In April, 1865, it disbanded at Lynchburg.

The field officers were Colonel William H. French, Lieutenant Colonel William C. Tavenner, and Major Frederick F. Smith.

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

West Virginia counties contributing soldiers: Braxton, Clay, Harrison, Jackson, Kanawha, Lewis, Mercer, Nicholas, Roane, Wirt, Wood

17th Virginia Cavalry – National Park Service

17th Virginia Cavalry, Virginia Regimental History Series, by Nelson Harris, H.E. Howard Publishing, 1994.

17th Virginia Cavalry, Compendium of the Confederate Armies: Virginia, by Stewart Sifakis, pp. 130-131, entry #219.

17th Virginia Cavalry, A Guide to Virginia’s Military Organizations, 1861-1865, by Lee A. Wallace, Jr., pp. 58-59.