1st Florida Special Cavalry Battalion

The 1st Florida Special Cavalry Battalion, nicknamed Cow Cavalry, was a Confederate States Army cavalry unit from Florida during the American Civil War. Commanded by Charles James Munnerlyn; it was organized to protect herds of cattle from Union raiders.[1][2] The hides and meat from Florida cattle was a critical supply item for the Confederacy.

1st Special Cavalry Battalion
ActiveApril, 1864–1865
Country Confederate States of America
Allegiance Florida
Branch Confederate States Army
TypeBattalion
RoleCavalry
Nickname(s)Cow Cavalry
EngagementsAmerican Civil War
Commanders
Notable
commanders		C. J. Munnerlyn

James McKay wrote to the state of the need to protect Florida cattle after the Battle of Olustee. Eventually a total of nine companies, largely made up of Florida crackers, was organized near Plant City.[3][4] Some of the companies were based out of Tampa[5] or Fort Myers,[6] taking part in the Battle of Fort Myers. They would drive cattle to Baldwin.[7] John T. Lesley, Francis A. Hendry, and W. B. Henderson were all in the Cow Cavalry. McKay's son, James McKay Jr., was appointed first as Captain of one of the companies and eventually rose to the rank of Major in the unit.[8]

See also

References
  1. Taylor, Robert (1986). "Cow Cavalry: Munnerlyn's Battalion in Florida, 1864-1865". Florida Historical Quarterly. 65 (2): 196–214. JSTOR 30146741.
  2. "Jacob Summerlin: The cowman who was king of crackers". TBNweekly. 21 August 2007.
  3. Taylor 1986, p. 201.
  4. "Cow Cavalry Historical Marker". www.hmdb.org.
  5. Ellis, Thomas Benton, Sr. (1998). Landers, Roger Rice (ed.). The Last Wildcat. Brooksville, FL: The Genealogy Society of Hernando County. p. 33.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. "Raid on Gopher Ridge". www.explorenaples.com.
  7. "Whats New at the Bell Research Center". www.bellresearchcenter.com.
  8. Ellis 1998, p. 33.
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