Company A, “Moccasin Rangers”- 19th Virginia Cavalry for "On Our Own Soil"

The Moccasin Rangers, a unit with origins as Partisan Rangers, were formed in Calhoun County and Wirt County in the summer of 1861 under Captain George Downs (later promoted to Major on April 22, 1864). Initially organized as part of the 3rd Virginia State Line, they operated as irregulars, carrying out guerrilla actions in northwestern Virginia. Brigadier General Henry Heath famously described them as “an organized outlaw band that robbed and plundered.” Despite their controversial reputation, the Moccasin Rangers remained a significant Confederate force in the region.

In March 1863, following the disbanding of the 3rd Virginia State Line earlier that spring, the Moccasin Rangers were formally mustered into the 19th Virginia Cavalry. However, the company being so large, some were split in July 1863 to form Company F of the 20th Virginia Cavalry and some to form Company H of the same regiment. This split mirrored the division of Company C of the 19th Virginia Cavalry, which also helped form Companies F and H of the 20th Virginia Cavalry.

Under the leadership of Captain Downs, the Moccasin Rangers had been active in the field for nearly two years before officially joining the cavalry regiments.