9th Virginia
Cavalry
By Robert K. Krick; 1982, 4th edition;
published by H. E. Howard, Lynchburg, VA.; 132pp.; in good condition. Part of
the Virginia Regimental Histories Series. Inscribed by the author on the
title page (see photo 3); former owner’s imprint stamp present on the front
free end-paper (see photo 2).
The 9th Virginia
Cavalry was composed of men from the Fredericksburg area and Virginia’s
Northern Neck, plus a lone company from Lunenburg County. The regiment served
under William W. F. “Rooney” Lee for much of the early war period, and remained
in Lee’s Brigade when that officer became a brigadier general. The brigade
later came under control of John R. Chambliss, and finally of R. L. Beale, who
had also been the colonel of the 9th Cavalry.
The 9th fought in
all the major battles of the Army of Northern Virginia, including the great
cavalry battle at Brandy Station, and the massive assault of dismounted cavalry
at Ream’s Station. During the last months of the war, while Confederate armies
where melting away, the 9th maintained an amazing degree of
strength.
Considerably more than
one-tenth of the men who served in the 9th Virginia Cavalry gave
their lives; more than 130 were killed, and 81 died of disease. Almost half the
men were casualties. The long and hard service prompted a grudging compliment
from one of the most hated Northern enemies, Judson Kilpatrick: “… they were
the best Cavalry regiment in the Confederate service.”
Contains a full annotated roster of the regiment!