I am currently trying to put together detailed regimental level orders of battle for the Third through 6th Offensives at the Siege of Petersburg. I have mostly been successful in answering my own questions, but one massive headache remains. Young's Brigade and Dearing's Brigade of Hampton's Cavalry Division underwent many confusing changes from July-November 1864. I've put together a tentative list showing those changes baed on two ANV Special Orders, one on July 11, 1864, and one on October 25, 1864. The orders spell out what was supposed to happen, but I cannot track down good references to exactly WHEN IN THE FIELD these changes actually occurred, and if they occurred all at once or at various times. I post what I have in the hope that some experts on the ANV's Cavalry Corps might be able to help me. These changes occurred mostly in Georgia and North Carolina regiments and battalions.
Raw Data:
Before July 11, 1864
62nd GA Cav. (7 GA cos. + 3 NC cos. + ?)
20th (Millen’s) GA Cav. Bn. (A,C,D + B + E,F,G)
Love’s AL Cav. Bn (3 cos. total)
Cobb’s GA Legion Cav (10 cos. + 11th Co. under Captain Eve)
Phillips Ga Legion Cav.
12th NC Cav Bn (Cos A,B + C + ?)
4th NC Cav
7th Confederate Cav. (7 Ga cos. + 5 NC cos. + ?)
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Some in July, some after October 25, 1864 (S.O. #161)(S.O. #254) – but further research shows most probably after October 31, 1864.
DISBANDED: 62nd GA Cav (? 1864)
DISBANDED: 20th GA Cav Battalion (? 1864)
DISBANDED: Love’s AL Cav Bn (? 1864)
DISBANDED: 7th Confederate Cav (probably November 1864)
DISBANDED: 12th NC Cav Battalion (probably November 1864)
7th Ga Cav. (transferred to Gary’s Cavalry Brigade) (probably November 1864)
8th GA Cav. (7 GA cos. of 62nd GA Cav + Cos. A, C, and D of 20th GA Cav Bn.) (when?)
Jeff Davis Legion Cav (added Love’s AL Cav. Bn. + Co. B 20th GA Cav. Bn.) (when, and all at once?)
• Squadron 1: 5 AL cos. commanded by a Major
• Squadron 2: 3 MS cos. commanded by a Major
• Squadron 3: 2 GA cos. commanded by senior captain
Phillips GA Legion Cav (added 11th co. of Cobb’s GA Legion under Captain Eve) (when?)
Cobb’s GA Legion Cav/9th GA Cav. (renamed 9th GA Cav.)(when did the name change?)(lost 11th company and now commanded by Col. G. J. Wright) (when?)
10th GA Cav. (7 GA cos. of 7th Confederate + Cos. E,F,G of 20th GA Cav. Bn.)(commanded by Colonel V. H. Taliaferro) (probably November 1864, but all at the same time?)
16th Bn NC Cav (5 NC cos. of 7th Confederate Cav. + 3 NC cos. of 62nd GA Cav. + Co. C of 12th NC Cav. Bn.) (when, and all at the same time?)
Young’s Brigade to consist of 9th GA Cav., Jeff Davis Legion, Philips Ga Legion Cav., 10th GA Cav. (probably November 1864)
Dearing’s Brigade to consist of 8th GA Cav., 4th NC Cav., 65th NC Cav., 16th BN NC Cav (probably November 1864)
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Conclusions
The 7th Confederate was still in existence as of October 31, 1864. The 8th Georgia had been created by October 31, 1864. Dearing’s Brigade consisted of the 7th Confederate, 8th Georgia, 4th NC, and Graham’s Petersburg VA Btty on Oct. 31, 1864.
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Remaining Questions
• When did the 8th Georgia Cav form? (and 62nd GA and 20th Cav Bn disband?)
• When did the Jeff Davis Legion get more companies and become a regiment?
• When did the 10th Georgia Cav form? (and 7th Confederate and 20th Cav disband?) not before October 31, 1864.
• When did the 16th NC Cavalry Bn form? (and 7th Confederate disband?)