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Cavalry Corps, Army of Northern Virginia

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Formation and development under Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart

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 the Eastern Theater was limited to regiments or smaller units attached to districts or larger formations. Noteworthy were Stuart's 1st Virginia Cavalry, the 2nd Virginia Cavalry and Hampton's Legion from South Carolina. Recommendations and endorsements from Generals P.G.T. Beauregard, Joseph E. Johnston and James 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:

  • The Raid around McClellan's army (Peninsula Campaign)
  • The Raid on General Pope (First Battle of Rappahannock Station)
  • Defense of Crampton's Gap (Maryland Campaign)
  • The Raid around McClellan's army (following the Battle of Antietam)
  • The Raid beyond the Rappahannock River
  • The Battle of Fredericksburg: Check of Franklin's attack
  • The Battle of Chancellorsville (Stuart temporarily commanded Second Corps)
  • The Battle of Brandy Station
  • The Raid around Meade's army (Gettysburg Campaign)
  • The screen and defense of Lee following the Battle of Gettysburg
  • The screen and defense of Lee against Sheridan in the 1864 Overland Campaign

Following the death of Stuart on May 11, 1864, the Cavalry Corps was split into two independent divisions under Hampton and Fitz Lee.

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