22nd Regiment of Virginia Cavalry, CSA

"I had about eight hundred, half-armed and badly disciplined ,mountaineers from Southwest Virginia, who would fight like veterans when they pleased, but had no idea of permitting their own sweet wills to be controlled by any orders, no matter from whom emanating. They were as brave, and as fearless, and as undisciplined as the Highlanders who had followed Charles Edward of Culloden.”

Brigadier General Bradley Tyler Johnson ,of the 22^NDVirginia Cavalry.

{And, indeed, some of these men were descended from the followers of Bonnie Prince Charlie.}

The

22^ND Regiment

Of

Virginia Cavalry

1862-1865

"Bowen's Mounted Rifles"

This site is dedicated to one of the last regular Cavalry regiments to be raised for Confederate service. It is especially dedicated to my Great-Great Uncle, Cpl. Hiram S. Robbins, Co. D, 22nd Regiment of Virginia Cavalry. Cpl. Robbins, along with his brothers and his father, entered Confederate service in April, 1861 as soon as war broke out. He enlisted in the 37th Virginia Infantry and later served in the Virginia State Line. He enlisted in the 22nd Va. Cavalry in May, 1863 and served with them for the duration. He was captured at Moorefield, West Virginia in August, 1864 and was held prisoner at Camp Chase, Ohio and Point Lookout, Maryland. (Letter concerning his capture)During his captivity, Hiram contracted encephalitis which at that time was known as "brain fever", a usually fatal illness. Hiram survived however , which was something akin to a miracle, to be exchanged in March, 1865. After the war he returned to his mountain home to live out the rest of his life, forever affected by this war that claimed the life of Hiram's father and brothers.

When I was a boy my Grandfather told me of his Uncle "Hi" and related many stories from the war as related to him by his uncle. From that time forward I was an avid Civil War enthusiast. So I dedicate this site to Uncle Hi and his comrades in arms.

THANKS FOR STOPPING BY.....AS TIME GOES BY MORE INFORMATION WILL BE ADDED....SOOO..YA'LL COME BACK SOON

I take this opportunity to express my gratitude to my good friend, and advisor on the 22nd Virginia Cavalry, Jeffrey C. Weaver. Jeff's knowledge of the units serving the Commonwealth of Virginia during the Civil War is immense. Especially those raised in the highlands of Southwest Virginia. Without Jeff's knowledge, this site could not have been possible. With Jeff's help I have learned more things about my own ancestors, than I knew existed.Thank You, Jeff.

My thanks to Steve Fox of Co. D, 1st Virginia Cavalry, whose interest and whose word of mouth has drawn others to this site.

I would also like to thank Capt. Terry Hunt and his comrades in Co. E, 22nd Virginia Cavalry. Their efforts in reenacting keeps the memory of the mountaineers of the old 22nd alive.