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TheCavalry Corps of theArmy of Northern Virginia was an organized unit ofcavalry in theConfederate Army during theAmerican Civil War. Starting out as abrigade in late 1861, becoming adivision in 1862 and finally aCorps in 1863; it served in theEastern Theater until the ANV's surrender in April 1865.
The rise of the ANV's Cavalry can be almost entirely tied to the career and organizational efforts of its first commander,Maj. Gen.J.E.B. Stuart. During summer 1861, before the Army of Northern Virginia was formed, the confederate cavalry in theEastern Theater was limited to regiments or smaller units attached to districts or larger formations. Noteworthy were Stuart's1st Virginia Cavalry, the2nd Virginia Cavalry andHampton's Legion from South Carolina. Recommendations and endorsements from GeneralsP.G.T. Beauregard,Joseph E. Johnston andJames Longstreet led to a promotion to brigadier general for Stuart in September 1861; and the formation of a unified cavalry brigade under his command. On August 17, 1862 the cavalry division was built – swollen to four brigades in less than a year. On September 9, 1863 the Cavalry Corps was finally established with six brigades in two divisions.
Key engagements of the Cavalry Division/Corps under Stuart's leadership included:
Following the death of Stuart on May 11, 1864, the Cavalry Corps was split into two independent divisions under Hampton and Fitz Lee.
The second commander, wealthySouth Carolina planterWade Hampton III, had served as the senior brigade and division commander under J.E.B. Stuart. When the cavalry was split after Stuart's death Hampton continued to command his division for three months until GeneralRobert E. Lee remerged the Cavalry Corps on August 11, 1864, under Hampton's command. He first managed the corps beginning with engagements screening the army along thePamunkey River in engagements such as theBattle of Haw's Shop (historical Hawe's Shop). Originally Hampton was fromCharleston, South Carolina, and continued to command cavalry units from the Carolinas in his division. Continuing in command through theSiege of Petersburg, General Lee decided to release his Carolina cavalry units, including Hampton, back to the aid and defense of South Carolina under theArmy of Tennessee, as Maj. Gen.William T. Sherman began his march from Georgia toColumbia, South Carolina. Hampton and the Carolina cavalry units were moved by rail to Columbia, and fought delay-and-defense actions against Sherman. Key engagements under Hampton's leadership included:
Upon the departure of General Hampton, Maj. Gen.Fitzhugh Lee took over the smaller remaining Cavalry Corps in February 1865. He was in command of the corps through the evacuation of Petersburg andRichmond, and through the course of theAppomattox Campaign, until the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia. Key engagements under Lee's leadership included:
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