13th Virginia Cavalry Regiment

The 13th 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.

13th Virginia Cavalry Regiment
Flag of Virginia, 1861
Active	July 1862–April 9, 1865
Disbanded	April 9, 1865
Country	Confederacy
Allegiance	Confederate States of America
Branch	Cavalry
Size	Regiment
Engagements	American Civil War Battle of Fredericksburg Battle of Chancellorsville Battle of Brandy Station Battle of Gettysburg Bristoe Campaign Overland Campaign Siege of Petersburg Valley Campaigns of 1864 Appomattox Campaign

Unidentified soldier of Co. H, 13th Virginia Infantry Regiment in uniform with over the shoulder saxhorn

Virginia’s 13th Cavalry Regiment was formed in July 1862, using the 16th Battalion, Virginia Cavalry as its nucleus (itself formed from seven companies from the 12-month unit 5th Cavalry, Provisional Confederate Army). The men were from Petersburg and the counties of Southampton, Sussex, Prince George, Surry, and Nansemond. It was the second cavalry unit to bear the designation 13th Regiment, the first having ended its 12-month term of service in the spring of 1862.

It was assigned to W.H.F. Lee's, Chambliss', and Beale' Brigade in the Army of Northern Virginia. The unit was active in the conflicts at Fredericksburg, Brandy Station, Upperville, Hanover, Gettysburg, Bristoe, Kelly's Ford, and Mine Run. Later it participated in The Wilderness Campaign, the defense of Petersburg and Richmond, and the Appomattox operations.

This regiment had 298 men in action in Gettysburg and surrendered on April 9, 1865, with 10 officers and 78 men. The field officers were Colonels John R. Chambliss Jr. and Jefferson C. Phillips; Lieutenant Colonels Alexander Savage and Thomas H. Upshaw; and Majors Benjamin W. Belsches, Joseph E. Gillette, and Benjamin F. Winfield.