Arms and Equipment of the 19th and 20th Virginia Cavalry for "On Our Own Soil"

For the purpose of the event, On Our Own Soil – The Fall of '63, this overview will focus exclusively on early reports during the regiment's formation and the individual companies of the 19th and 20th Virginia Cavalry whose involvement in the Bulltown Campaign is supported by documented evidence and deductive reasoning. While this represents the current understanding based on available sources, we acknowledge the possibility of new evidence emerging that could challenge or expand these findings. At Homespun Historical Ventures Inc., we welcome and encourage contributions of additional research or documentation, and we remain committed to updating this narrative as new insights come to light.

The 19th and 20th Virginia Cavalry, formed primarily from the 3rd Virginia State Line (formerly the Virginia State Rangers), developed into well-armed and resourceful units by the fall of 1863. Initially, the Virginia State Rangers benefited from preferential treatment in terms of weaponry, as General Henry Heth noted in 1862:

“The choice arms of the State have been furnished these people. This has induced many to believe that they are a favored organization.”

These early advantages laid the groundwork for their eventual transformation into more disciplined and effective regiments under Colonel William L. Jackson.

Through their numerous raids on Union supply lines, the capture of Union soldiers, and the seizure of local Unionist militias and their armories, the regiments supplemented what they received from the Confederate Ordnance Department. This included rifles, pistols, muskets, sabers, saddles, and other critical equipment. Additionally, many soldiers relied on their homes and communities to re-equip themselves, reflecting their deep ties to the local population and their remarkable self-sufficiency.

By the fall of 1863, these efforts ensured that the 19th and 20th Virginia Cavalry were well-armed and equipped for continued service. Whether their supplies came from Confederate depots, captured Union stores, or personal resources, the regiments were prepared for both guerrilla and conventional operations, proving instrumental in battles and raids across northwestern Virginia and beyond.

Jackson's Initial Requests

Jackson Received the following on May 1^st, 1863:

On May 31^st, 1863, Col. William Jackson received the following for his command, which surprisingly includes “2,780 Colt’s Rifle” rounds. We believe that these were for none other than the Colt’s Revolving Rifle:

The requisition below is for the 12^th Virginia Cavalry, which participated in Jones’s and Imboden’s West Virginia Raid with the 19^th and 20^th Virginia Cavalry in April 20-May 21, 1863. Later on in September, the 12^th was assigned to Jones’s-Rosser’s Brigade, Hampton’s-Butler’s Division, Cavalry Corps, Army of Northern Virginia. Though they did not participate in the battle of Bulltown, the below ordnance requisition for the 12^th Virginia Cavalry, provides further evidence that Colt’s Revolving Rifles were being used by Western Virginia Cavalry troops and that the Jackson’s command had them and were issued ammunition for them.

Jackson Received the following on June 17, 1863:

These are the only ordnance requests discovered so far for the 19th and 20th Virginia Cavalry. As the search continues for additional records detailing ordnance between Jackson's initial requests and the Bulltown Campaign, these returns provide valuable insight into the types of arms employed by the regiments during the latter half of 1863.

After this point, all records bear the signature of Jackson’s Assistant Quartermaster, Captain Floyd G. Rocke, whose logistical expertise played a pivotal role in sustaining the 19th and 20th Virginia Cavalry. Rocke established a network of strategically located supply points, stretching from Staunton, Virginia, to Jackson’s various field headquarters. These key hubs, including Mill Point, Marlin’s Bottom, Camp Northwest, and Warm Springs, became vital lifelines for Jackson’s operations, ensuring a steady flow of provisions and equipment.

The records suggest that some companies were present for quarterly supply draws, though gaps in documentation leave room for speculation that others either missed these draws or that corresponding records remain undiscovered. Jackson’s men, often scattered across vast territories on extended patrols, frequently operated far from his bases of operation. Many also took the opportunity to return home, tending to their farms and “refitting” for upcoming campaigns—a testament to their resourcefulness and the unique challenges of managing such an independent force. These home-based refits, combined with Rocke’s supply chain efforts, allowed Jackson’s command to maintain its operational readiness in the face of logistical hurdles.

For the purpose of the event, On Our Own Soil - The Fall of '63, the following will only include information on the individual companies of the 19th and 20th Virginia Cavalry which their involvement in the Bulltown Campaign is supported by documents and deductive reasoning. This is not to say that there isn't evidence that exists out there which would dispute these findings and we at Homespun Historical Ventures Inc. would be more than happy to update this research as it is found or presented to us.