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12th Virginia Cavalry

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Muster In: Organized by the assignment of 10 companies from the 7th Virginia Cavalry on June 21, 1862.1
Muster Out: April 9, 18652

Commander(s):
Lieutenant Colonel Thomas B. Massie
Commander Image

Major John L. Knott
Commander Image

Captain Emanuel Sipe
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Commander 4
Commander Image

First Offensive Order of Battle: Rosser’s Brigade | Hampton’s Division | Cavalry Corps | Army of Northern Virginia | Confederate Army3

  • Commander: Lieutenant Colonel Thomas B. Massie4
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:

Second Offensive Order of Battle: Rosser’s Brigade | Hampton’s Division | Cavalry Corps | Army of Northern Virginia | Confederate Army5

  • Commander:
    • Lieutenant Colonel Thomas B. Massie (wounded on June 24, 1864)6
    • Major John L. Knott7
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:

Third Offensive Order of Battle: Rosser’s Brigade | Hampton’s Division | Cavalry Corps | Army of Northern Virginia | Confederate Army8

  • Commander: Major John L. Knott9
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:

Fourth Offensive Order of Battle: Rosser’s Brigade | Butler’s Division | Cavalry Corps | Army of Northern Virginia | Confederate Army10

  • Commander:
    • Captain Emanuel Sipe (at least August 24, 1864)11
    • Lieutenant Colonel Thomas B. Massie (competing claim for at least August 24, 1864)12
    • Major John L. Knott13
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:

Fifth Offensive Order of Battle: Rosser’s Brigade | Butler’s Division | Cavalry Corps | Army of Northern Virginia | Confederate Army14

  • Commander:
    • Lieutenant Colonel Thomas B. Massie15
    • Major John L. Knott (in the hospital at least September 6, 1864)16
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:
  • Note: Rosser’s Brigade was ordered to the Shenandoah Valley in late September before the two-pronged Fifth Offensive commenced and set off for the Valley on September 27, 1864.17

Sixth Offensive Order of Battle:

  • Not at the Siege of Petersburg.18,19

Seventh Offensive Order of Battle:

  • Not at the Siege of Petersburg.20

Eighth Offensive Order of Battle:

  • Not at the Siege of Petersburg.21

Ninth Offensive Order of Battle: Dearing’s (Rosser’s Old) Brigade | Rosser’s Division | Cavalry Corps | Army of Northern Virginia | Confederate Army22,23

  • Commander: None listed. (March & April 1-2, 1865)24,25
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:
  • Note: When did Rosser’s Division return?  Dearing moved to take over a brigade below in late February, so late February is a possible arrival date.  More research is needed.

Dyer’s/Sifakis’ Compendium Info:
Siege of Petersburg Battles26:

  • Petersburg Siege (June 1864-April 1865)
  • Hampton-Rosser Cattle Raid (September 16, 1864)
  • High Bridge (April 7, 1865)
  • Appomattox Court House (April 9, 1865)

Bibliography:

Siege of Petersburg Documents Which Mention This Unit:

Sources:

  1. Compendium of the Confederate Armies: Virginia by Stewart Sifakis, pp. 120-121
  2. Compendium of the Confederate Armies: Virginia by Stewart Sifakis, pp. 120-121
  3. The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1: The Army of Northern Virginia by F. Ray Sibley, Jr., p. 113
  4. The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1: The Army of Northern Virginia by F. Ray Sibley, Jr., p. 113
  5. The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1: The Army of Northern Virginia by F. Ray Sibley, Jr., p. 113
  6. The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1: The Army of Northern Virginia by F. Ray Sibley, Jr., p. 113
  7. The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1: The Army of Northern Virginia by F. Ray Sibley, Jr., p. 113
  8. The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1: The Army of Northern Virginia by F. Ray Sibley, Jr., page 123
  9. The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1: The Army of Northern Virginia by F. Ray Sibley, Jr., page 123
  10. The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1: The Army of Northern Virginia by F. Ray Sibley, Jr., page 132
  11. The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1: The Army of Northern Virginia by F. Ray Sibley, Jr., page 132
  12. The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1: The Army of Northern Virginia by F. Ray Sibley, Jr., page 132
  13. The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1: The Army of Northern Virginia by F. Ray Sibley, Jr., page 132
  14. The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1: The Army of Northern Virginia by F. Ray Sibley, Jr., page 140
  15. The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1: The Army of Northern Virginia by F. Ray Sibley, Jr., page 140
  16. The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1: The Army of Northern Virginia by F. Ray Sibley, Jr., page 140
  17. McDonald, William N.  A History of the Laurel Brigade.  Baltimore: Sun Job Printing Office, 1907, page 299.
  18. Compendium of the Confederate Armies: Virginia by Stewart Sifakis, pp. 120-121
  19. The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1: The Army of Northern Virginia by F. Ray Sibley, Jr., page 151
  20. Compendium of the Confederate Armies: Virginia by Stewart Sifakis, pp. 120-121
  21. Compendium of the Confederate Armies: Virginia by Stewart Sifakis, pp. 120-121
  22. The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1: The Army of Northern Virginia by F. Ray Sibley, Jr., page 196
  23. The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1: The Army of Northern Virginia by F. Ray Sibley, Jr., page 205
  24. The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1: The Army of Northern Virginia by F. Ray Sibley, Jr., page 196
  25. The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1: The Army of Northern Virginia by F. Ray Sibley, Jr., page 205
  26. Compendium of the Confederate Armies: Virginia by Stewart Sifakis, pp. 120-121
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