See also: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1st_West_Virginia_Cavalry_Regiment, https://antietam.aotw.org/officers.php?unit_id=529, https://antietam.aotw.org/officers.php?officer_id=519

First Cavalry WEST VIRGINIA (3-YEARS) First Cavalry.-Cols., Henry Anishansel, Nathaniel P. Richmond, Henry Capehart; Lieut.-Cols. Nathaniel P. Richmond, John S. Krepps, Joseph Darr, Charles E. Capeheart; Majs., John Krepps, Josiah Steele, Benjamin F. Chamberlain, William C. Carman, Harrison H. Hagans, Harvey Farabee. The formation of this regiment was begun at Clarksburg and Morgantown in July, 1861, and was completed on Nov. 25, when it was mustered in for three years. As soon as it was mustered in it started for the front. Its history is identical with the histories of the Army of West Virginia and the Army of the Potomac. Up to the close of 1864 it had taken part in 75 battles, including Cross Keys, Port Republic, Cedar mountain, the second Bull Run, Chantilly, South mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Brandy Station, the cavalry fight at Stevensburg, Lynchburg, Carter's farm, Kernstown, Winchester, Fisher's hill, Rude's hill, Cedar creek and Gordonsville. In the Shenandoah Valley campaign it was in the 2nd brigade, Averell's cavalry division, Col. Capehart commanding the brigade and Maj. Farabee the regiment. It was with Gen. Sheridan in the raid to Petersburg in Feb., 1865, after which it served in the Army of the Shenandoah under Gen. Merritt until mustered out July 8, 1865, the non-veterans having been mustered out some time before as their terms expired. The Union Army Vol.,2 p.,306. Source: The Union Army, vol. 2 Gettysburg after battle report: Report of Maj. Charles E. Capehart, First West Virginia Cavalry. Hdqrs. First West Virginia Cavalry, Near Hartwood Church, Va., August 17, 1863. Sir: In compliance with an order emanating from brigade headquarters, I have the honor to submit the following as the report of the First West Virginia Cavalry, from the beginning to the end of the late campaign in Maryland and Pennsylvania: On June 24, in compliance with an order from division headquarters, this regiment (under command of Col. N. P. Richmond), together with the Frist Vermont and Fifth New York Cavalry, which formed the Third Brigade, Third Division, Twenty-second Army Corps, Department of Washington, left their camp at Fairfax Court-House, Va., and moved to Edwards Ferry; thence to Poolesville, Crampton's Gap, and Frederick City, Md., where the division was reorganized. Maj.-Gen. Stahel was relieved of the command of the division and Brig. Gen. J. Kilpatrick assigned in his stead. Col. O. De Forest was relieved of the command of the brigade and Brig.-Gen. Farnsworth assigned to command it. On June 29, we moved from near Frederick, and on the 30th met and repulsed the enemy at Hanover, Pa. The First West Virginia was in the advance of the brigade, and had passed through the town, when the Eighteenth Pennsylvania (which was now attached to the brigade), which was at the time marching in the rear, was attacked by both cavalry and artillery. This regiment, First West Virginia, by order formed in line of battle, and charged back through the town, driving the enemy's cavalry back to their artillery and to the cover of the woods. Lieut. M. Carroll, Company F, was severely wounded; Sergeant [George] Collins, Company L, and Sergeant [Garrett C.] Selby, Company F, were killed, and 4 others badly wounded, and 1 officer (Lieut. Wheeler, Company E) and 17 men taken prisoners. On July 1, we marched to Abbottstown; thence to Berlin and a point 10 miles beyond, and moved back on the night of the same day, not finding any of the enemy. July 2, we marched from Abbottstown to Oxford; thence to Hunterstown, and picketed the front of the enemy's left wing. On the morning of the 3d, we moved up to a point immediately in the rear of the center of the Army of the Potomac, then near Gettysburg. At 10 a. m. our brigade (then First Brigade, Third Division) was ordered to move to the extreme right wing of the enemy, and, if possible, hold in check any movement they might make at that point. At 3 p. m. we found them in position with infantry, cavalry, and artillery. Gen. Kilpatrick ordered Gen. Farnsworth to make ready to charge them. Everything was in readiness in a moment. The First West Virginia was ordered to the front, and ordered to charge upon them. Col. N. P. Richmond led the regiment, with Maj. Charles E. Capehart and Acting Maj.'s Farabee and Carman, which made one of the most desperate charges during the present rebellion. I cannot fail to refer you to the defensive position the enemy had availed themselves of, which is one that above all others is the worst for a cavalry charge--that is, behind stone fences so high as to preclude the possibility of gaining the opposite side without dismounting and throwing them down. The whole ground over which we charged was very adverse in every particular, being broken and uneven and covered with rock. Neither can I fail to bring to your notice that this regiment here charged upon infantry, and still did not falter in any of its movements until it had scaled two stone fences and had penetrated some distance the enemy's lines, which had kept up a continual fire of musketry. The entire regiment was entirely surrounded, when they received an order to return. The First Texas Regt. having occupied the ground over which we advanced, and as that was by far the best way to return, an order was given by Col. N. P. Richmond for the officers and men to cut their way through, which they did, and brought with them quite a number of prisoners. Any one not cognizant of the minutioe of this charge upon infantry, under cover of heavy timber and stone fences, will fail to form a just conception of its magnitude. The casualties of the regiment were 5 killed and 4 wounded. Apparently our mission there had been filled, for we withdrew some 3 miles from where the engagement had taken place, and bivouacked in the open field. On the morning of July 4, Col. N. P. Richmond was placed in command of the brigade, vice Gen. Farnsworth, who had been killed in the engagement of the previous day. Maj. Charles E. Capehart took command of the regiment, and assigned Capt.'s Farabee and Carman as acting majors. At 10 o'clock we moved down the enemy's left to Emmitsburg; thence up through a mountain gap to Monterey Springs, where quite a body of the enemy were found guarding a wagon train. The Second Brigade (Gen. Custer) had been deployed as skirmishers, and had engaged them (the enemy) for an hour, when Maj. Capehart received an order to report with his regiment to Gen. Kilpatrick, then at Monterey house. On his doing so, Gen. Kilpatrick ordered him to report with his regiment to Gen. Custer, who was at that time engaged with the enemy a half mile in advance. On his reporting to Gen. Custer, he (Maj. Capehart) was ordered to charge upon the wagon train, and, if possible, take it. Maj. Capehart immediately informed his officers and men of the duty which devolved upon them. The charge was ordered, and, with a whoop and yell, the regiment dashed down upon the train. The night was one of inky darkness; nothing was discernible a half dozen paces ahead. As the advance came up to the train, they received a heavy volley of musketry, which at once showed the exact position of the enemy. Onward they dashed, and a hand-to-hand conflict ensued. The scene was wild and desolating. The road lay down a mountain side, wild and rugged. On either side of the road was a heavy growth of underbrush, which the enemy had taken as a fit place to conceal themselves and fire from upon us. The road was interspersed with wagons and ambulances for a distance of 8 miles, and the whole train was taken--300 wagons, 15 ambulances, together with all the horses and mules attached. The number of prisoners taken was 1,300, including 200 commissioned officers. The casualties of this regiment were 2 killed and 2 wounded. The only assistance Maj. Capehart had was 40 men of the First Ohio Cavalry, under command of Capt. Jones. With but two exceptions, the officers and men acquitted themselves as true and brave soldiers. July 5, we moved to Smithsburg, and, while resting there, the enemy appeared with artillery. This regiment was ordered to guard a mountain pass, and in the evening was called in, and joined the command, and marched to Boonsborough. July 6, we marched from Boonsborough to Hagerstown, where a part of the regiment--one squadron--was ordered to charge the town. After this was executed, two squadrons were ordered to the right of the town as skirmishers, but held their position but a little time, as the enemy advanced in superior numbers. In the engagement we lost 2 killed, 4 wounded, and 14 missing. The superior numbers of the enemy caused us to fall back on the Williamsport road. Here this regiment brought up the rear, and supported Battery E, Fourth Regular Artillery. The enemy charged this battery four different times, and were repulsed as often. Finally their superiority of numbers caused us to withdraw, via Antietam Creek, to Boonsborough, arriving there on the morning of the 7th. On the 8th, the enemy advanced from Hagerstown, and we became engaged with them, and fought until evening. This regiment supported Battery E, Fourth Regular Artillery. July 9, Col. N. P. Richmond was relieved of the command of the brigade, and the regiment, by order, went to Frederick City, Md., for the purpose of doing provost duty and arresting all stragglers, and to form a stragglers' camp. The regiment remained here until July 16, when we left and moved to Berlin; thence to Purcellville, Va., where we joined the brigade. On the 19th, we moved to Upperville. On the 22d, to Piedmont. On the 23d, to Amissville, arriving there in the evening. This regiment was ordered on picket at Gaines' Cross-Roads. Immediately after leaving, we met the enemy, and drove them to within half a mile of the cross-roads, where we met them in force. Maj. Capehart ordered the regiment to charge, which it did, but we were repulsed by infantry and cavalry. Here we had 2 of our men wounded. Our picket line was finally established within three-quarters of a mile of the cross-roads, where we remained until the evening of the 24th, when we were relieved. We then moved back, and went into camp at Amissville. Remained there until the 30th, when we moved to Warrenton Junction, and on the evening of the 31st the regiment was ordered on duty to Stafford Court-House, Va. All of which is respectfully submitted. CHARLES E. CAPEHART, Maj., Comdg. First West Virginia Cavalry. Capt. L. Siebert, A. A. G., First Brig., Third Div.

Source: Official Records: Series I. Vol. 27. Part I. Reports. Serial No. 43

West Virginia 1st Volunteer Cavalry (Union)

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