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Benjamin Barker, Private, Company B, 42nd Virginia Cavalry Battalion,* enlisted February 14, 1863 at Richmond by Capt. McGruder for the duration of the war,** last recorded present on the November 12, 1864 muster roll, filed claim on December 20, 1864 the value of one gray horse killed in action May 17, 1864 in Hanover County
Note: Awarded $2000 ca March 9, 1865
* This company was subsequently Company B, 24th Virginia Cavalry which was formed by two companies of the 8th (Dearing's) Regiment Confederate Cavalry to the 42nd Battalion, Virginia Cavalry, which was formed by the consolidation of the 32nd and 40th Battalions Virginia Cavalry
** Camp Exel King & Queen [County], April 21, 1864
Capt.
I do most respectfully recommend that Private Benjamin Barker of my company be detailed for seven days to procure a horse which I think he would get if given the detail.
Thos. M. Deitrick, Lt.
Comdg Co. B, 42nd Batt. Va. Cav.
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Record of Events, Co. B, 24th Regiment Virginia Cavalry
May 1 to Sept. 1, 1864, dated Sept. 1, 1864, stationed near Market Heights
This Company engaged the Enemy on the 30 of May near Cold Harbor in which privates Josepth Tinsly, Josepth McAllister, T. N T??????, E. D. Eacho & Jos. F. Wood were wounded and 24th of June near Nancies Shop in Charles City County. This Company engaged the enemy in which the repulsed them and drove them seven miles. Our loss in wounded Privates ?. P. Nuckols and G. W. Hardin, also had an engagement with the Enemy near Deep Bottom on the 27 of July in which our losses were one killed and three wounded among them Lt. Thomas M. Deitrick, Lt. A. B. Cottrell and Priv. Jos. T. Wood deceased and Milton W. Hayes Killed and on the 19 of August Priv. G. W. A??? died with Typhoid fever at Taylorsville.
Hanover Co. Va. [no other reports]
M324: Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the State of Virginia
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Twenty-fourth Virginia Cavalry
Report of Capt. Littleburry W. Allen, Twenty-fourth Virginia Cavalry.
APPLEWOOD, CAROLINE [COUNTY],
March 8, 1865--3 a.m.
COL.: Early yesterday morning one of my scouts reported the
enemy in Fredericksburg. I went to ascertain the truth of the report.
I proceeded to Fredericksburg, passing by Hamilton's Crosing. At the
crossing they burnt everything of value, some thirty cars, seventeen of
which were loaded with tobacco. The bridge over the Massaponax was
also burned. No other injury to the road. They captured fifty-six mules
and burned the wagons. All the colored drivers but one went with them.
In the city they took and carried off some 500 boxes of tobacco. The
provost-marshal (Capt. Doggett), with most of his men, escaped. The
expedition consisted of two gun-boats and five transports, conveying one
brigade of infantry, under the command of Brig.-Gen. Roberts,
and one regiment of cavalry, commanded by Col. Sumner.
Gen. Roberts informed Mr. Slaughter (the mayor) that the expedition
was fitted out by Gen. Grant to break up the illicit trade in tobacco,
which he had heard was carried on in Fredericksburg, and which he was
determined to break up. They left at 5 o'clock this afternoon, and
proceeded down the river. I left the city at 7 o'clock, and am now at
home my way to camp.
Most respectfully, your obedient servant,
L. W. ALLEN,
Capt., Co. F, 24th Virginia Cavalry, Cmdg. at Taylrosville.
Col. EWELL,
Assistant Adjutant-Gen.
[Indorsement.]
HDQRS.,
March 8, 1865.
Respectfully submitted to the honorable Secretary of War for his information.
R. E. LEE,
Gen.
Source: Official Records
PAGE 544-95 N. AND SE. VA., N. C., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. LVIII.
[Series I. Vol. 46. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 95.]
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24th Regiment, Virginia Cavalry
OVERVIEW: 24th Cavalry Regiment was organized in June, 1864, by consolidating eight companies of the 42nd Virginia Cavalry and two companies of Dearing's Confederate Cavalry. This unit served in General Gary's Brigade, Army of Northern Virginia, and fought in various conflicts around Richmond. Later it was involved in the Appomattox Campaign and surrendered with 19 officers and 144 men. Its commanders were Colonel William T. Robins, Lieutenant Colonel Theodore G. Barham, and Major John R. Robertson.
Predecessor unit:
42nd Cavalry Battalion was organized in September, 1863, by consolidating the 32nd and 40th Battalions Virginia Cavalry. The unit contained eight companies and served in the Department of Richmond. During May, 1864, it contained 216 effectives and in June merged into the 24th Regiment Virginia Cavalry. Lieutenant Colonel William T. Robins and Major John R. Robertson were in command.
http://www.nps.gov/civilwar/search-regiments-detail.htm?regiment_id=CVA0024RC