4th Virginia Cavalry Regiment


The 4th Virginia Cavalry Regiment was a cavalry regiment raised in Virginia for service in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. It fought mostly with the Army of Northern Virginia.

History

The Virginia 4th Cavalry completed its organization at Sangster's Cross Roads, Prince [William County, Virginia], in September, 1861. The 4th Virginia Cavalry Regiment included the following companies :
  • Co. A - The Prince William Cavalry ;
  • Co. B - The Chesterfield Light Dragoons ;
  • Co. C - The Madison Invincibles ;
  • Co. D - The Little Fork Rangers ;
  • Co. E - The Powhatan Troop ;
  • Co. F - The Goochland Light Dragoons ;
  • Co. G - The Hanover Light Dragoons ;
  • Co. H - The Black Horse Troop ;
  • Co. I - The Governor's Mounted Guard ;
  • Co. J - Philip McKinney's Company.
The unit was assigned to General J.E.B. Stuart's, F. Lee's, Wickham's, and Munford's Brigade, Army of Northern Virginia. It participated in the Battle of Williamsburg, the Seven Days' Battles, and the Second Bull Run and Maryland campaigns. Later the unit was involved in the conflicts at Fredericksburg, Kelly's Ford, Chancellorsville, Brandy Station, Upperville, Gettysburg, Bristoe, Mine Run, The Wilderness, Todd's Tavern, Spotsylvania, Wilson's Wharf, Haw's Shop, and Bethesda Church. The 4th went on to fight in the Shenandoah Valley with Early and around Appomattox.
It totaled 450 effectives in April, 1862, and lost about three percent of the 544 engaged at Gettysburg. After cutting through the Federal lines at Appomattox, it was broken up. Only 2 members were present at the surrender. The field officers were Colonels Stephen D. Lee, William H. F. Payne, Beverly Robertson, Williams Carter Wickham, and W.B. Wooldridge; Lieutenant Colonels Charles Old and Robert Randolph; and Majors Alexander M. Hobson and Robert E. Utterback.
Future Virginia governor Philip W. McKinney was an officer in Company K of the 4th Virginia.
VMI Superintendent Scott Shipp is said to have served as a private in the 4th Virginia, though no official record exists.
Beverley Randolph Mason, the future founder of Gunston Hall School in Washington, D.C., became a captain in command of a company of the 4th Virginia.