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The
16th Cavalry Regiment was formed at Camp Zirkle, near Salem ,
Virginia , on 15 January, 1863, by consolidating six
companies of
Ferguson's (167th) Militia Battalion with four companies of Otis
Caldwell's (188th Militia) Battalion.
The unit was assigned to Jenkins' and MacCausland's Brigade
and
fought
in western Virginia, including the conflict at Droop Mountain.
Later
it saw action at Gettysburg, returned to western Virginia, then
participated in various engagements in the Shenandoah Valley. This
regiment had 265 men in action at Gettysburg, and during February,
1864, there were 163 present for duty. It disbanded in April
1865.
The field officers were Colonel Milton J. Ferguson,
Lieutenant
Colonel
William L. Graham, and Major James H. Nounnan. As this
regiment
formed in 1863 from ten companies in two Virginia Militia units, it is
a little confusing. We will start by referring the two Militia units as
Ferguson's Battalion and Caldwell's Battalion.
 Company A
originally Stevenson's Company, Ferguson's Battalion was organized 4
August 1862 by Charles B. Stevenson, Captain. The
company
was mustered and inspected by Milton J. Ferguson. According to company
records, the "last rolls" were captured on June 10, 1964.
This is made of from memory." Records dated 30 November 1864,
near
"Little"Washington, Virginia. Most of the men in this company were from
Russell County.
Company B was
originally Gent's Company in Caldwell's Battalion, organized 7 August
1862. In
April 1864 the station of the company composed of men mostly from
Russell County, near Honakerville. Jacob C. Gent was Captain.
Company C was initially organized 7
August 1862 as Hankins' Company in Caldwell's Battalion.
Captain Jonathan Hankins was in command of this company. The record of
this company states, "These rolls are made out of memory. the original
rolls being lost at Moorfield in action." This comment was
recorded 31 October 1864, near Milford. This company was
composed
mostly of men from Tazewell County.
Company D was formerly Morris'
Company, Ferguson's Battalion. This
company, with Captain Morris in command, was organized 15 September
1862 From October 1863 to March `864, the company was
stationed
at Camp Georgia in Tazewell County. Apparently this was the winter
quarters for the regiment. From August to December 18654 it was
stationed near Standardsville. Company D had men from at least six
different counties as Virginia was composed when the war began,
including Putnam and Cabell.
Company E initially,
Spurlock's Company, Ferguson's Battalion, organized 15 September 1862
at Wyoming Courthouse, Pineville, Virginia (now West Virginia. Colonel
James M Corns of the 8th Virginia Cavalry was the mustering officer.
Corns had also been an officer in the Virginia Militia from Wayne
County and certainly knew Hurston Spurlock and Col. Ferguson..
From October 1863 to March 1864 the company was stationed near
Jeffersonville. Company E was stationed near Standardsville, Greene
County in November and December 1864. Records
state, "The
captain (Spurlock) is in the hands of the enemy and the muster roll
cannot be found that was used heretofore."Company E was primarily
composed of men from Wayne County, (West) Virginia.
Company F
originally, was Taylor's Company, Caldwell's Battalion, organized 5
October 1862, Robert H. Taylor company commanding. The
company was
stationed at Camp Georgia from October 1863 to March 1864, was
stationed near Luray. Notes in
the records state, "The last
muster roll, together with all papers and company records of
the Co.
were captured by the enemy at Moorfield, Va. on the 7th of Aug. 1864.
This roll is made from memory and is as correct as could be
under the
circumstances." Signed:"Wm. Bailey, Lieut., commanding
company near
Luray, Va., Oct. 31 1864." Company F
is comprised mostly of men from Tazewell County.
Company G
formerly Parks' Company, Ferguson's Battalion was organized 12 January
1863 with Robert H. Parks as Captain. Record notes indicate company was
organized principally with men transfered from other
companies
and assigned to the 16th Regiment. From December 1863 50 March 1864 the
company was stationed at Camp Georgia in Tazewell County. In November
and December 1864 Company G was stationed near Standardsville, Greene
County. Most of the men were from Wane County.
Company H
was Milton J. Ferguson's original company in Ferguson's Battalion. The
company was organized 15 September 1862, Milton J. Ferguson was
Captain, promoted to Colonel and Elisha McKendrick promoted from 1st Lt
to Captain. From August to October 1864 the company was
stationed
at Milford, Page County. In November and December of 1864
Company
H was stationed near Standardsville in Greene County. Most of
the
men in the company were from Wayne County.
Company I
was formerly Graham's Company in Caldwell's Battalion. The
company was originally known as Captain William Perry's Company in
Caldwell's Battalion. William Perry organized the company in 1861.
From October 1863 to March 1864 the company was stationed
near
Jeffersonville. From August to October 1864 Company I was stationed
near Standardsville in Greene County. The records indicate,
"2nd
Lt. Sam W. Thompson was killed near Frederick County, Maryland 7th July
1864 while discharging his duty. Corp. Jno. Baugh was killed in action
at Monocacy Junction 9 July 1864." Most of the men in this
company were from Tazewell County. William Graham was promoted from
Captain to Lt. Colonel and William E. Perry was promoted from 1st Lt.
to Captain.
Company K was originally known as
Nounnan's Company, Ferguson's Battalion. James Nounan was promoted from
Captain to Major and Jas. F. Anderson was promoted from 1st Lt. to
Captain. Company K was organized 6 October 1862. From August of 1863 to
March of 1864 the company was stationed at Camp Georgia in
Tazewell County. In October 0f 1864 it was camped at Milford
in
Page County. In November and December 1864 the company was
stationed near Standardsville. The recorded notes state,
"Orderly
Sgt and his roals captured and the four goin roal maid off
memry."
The company was composed of men from at least eight or ten different
counties, according to 16TH VIRGINIA CAVALRY, by Jack Dickinson. Men
had been transfered from various companies into Companies I and K in
order to meet the requisite number of men in each company.
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