3rd West Virginia Volunteer Cavalry Regiment
| 3rd West Virginia Volunteer Cavalry Regiment | |
|---|---|
 Flag of West Virginia | |
| Active | December, 1861 to June 23, 1865 |
| Country | United States |
| Allegiance | Union |
| Branch | Cavalry |
| Engagements |
Battle of Cross Keys Battle of Second Bull Run Battle of Brandy Station Second Battle of Winchester Battle of Upperville Battle of Gettysburg Battle of Williamsport Battle of Bristoe Station Battle of Lynchburg Battle of Kernstown II Battle of Moorefield Battle of Opequon Battle of Fisher's Hill Battle of Waynesboro, Virginia Battle of Dinwiddie Court House Battle of Five Forks Battle of Sailor's Creek Battle of Namozine Church Battle of Sailor's Creek Battle of Appomattox Station Battle of Appomattox Court House |
| Commanders | |
| Lt. Colonel | David H. Strother 1862–1864 |
| Colonel | John L. McGee 1864–65 |
The 3rd West Virginia Volunteer Cavalry Regiment was a cavalry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. In 1864, the regiment had an important part in the Battle of Moorefield, where a surprise attack led by General William W. Averell routed Confederate cavalry. The regiment also fought in the latter part of General Philip H. Sheridan's Valley Campaign, and was part of Capehart's Fighting Brigade in General George Armstrong Custer's Third Division. It was present at General Robert E. Lee's surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia at the Battle of Appomattox Court House.
Organization
The 3rd West Virginia Cavalry was organized in western Virginia between December, 1861. Among the later recruits was Fremont, Ohio, dentist Everton Conger, who later in the war led the cavalry that tracked down and killed President Abraham Lincoln's assassin, John Wilkes Booth.
The regiment participated in the Grand Review of the Armies and then was mustered out on June 23, 1865.
Casualties
The 3rd West Virginia Cavalry suffered 6 officers and 40 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded in battle and 136 enlisted men dead from disease for a total of 182 fatalities.