Shiflets and the Civil War: 35th Battalion Cavalry


CAVALRYMEN traveled on horseback, which was faster than the infantry. Each carried three different weapons - a rifle, a sabre, and pistol, as well as personal belongings and equipment. They were the eyes and ears of the army. They scouted, screened the movements of the army from the enemy scouts, protected the flanks of the army while the infantry fought, and engaged in battle as needed. They could raid weak enemy positions and quickly retreat. Cavalrymen knew a man and a horse presented a much bigger target than a lone man on foot.(Courtesy of U.S. Department of Interior, National Park Service)

History of 35th VA Calvary, Co. F

submitted by Dick Landis rland@coastalnet.com

A RECAP OF JOHN E. DIVINE'S BOOK, 35TH BATTALION VIRGINIA CAVALRY

Throughout the war it was known as "White's Battalion" or "White's Commanches" or "White's Rebels" after their regimental commander, Colonel Elijah V. White. It operated in the area of the Potomac River around Leesburg, VA (from Washington DC to Harper's Ferry) as raiders behind enemy lines and for much of the war was independent of other commands.

In 1862 they became a part of General Richard S. Ewell's command, supporting General "Stonewall" Jackson, where they operated in the Shenandoah Valley from Charlestown south to Strasburgh and Cross Keys. They fought in the battles of Cross Keys and Port Republic.

Then onward to the Chickahominy Swamps east of Richmond and the "Seven Days Battlefield". Here they served as couriers and as provost guard keeping the soldiers from straggling.

Back to Culpeper Court House VA and the battle of Cedar Mountain. After the battle of Cedar Mountain, White led his group back to Loudon County and the independent raiding activities. They were still only organized as a company but they were approaching battalion strength as new recruits kept coming in to camp. On October 26, 1862 they organized with five companies (A through E) and became a battalion. They continued raiding operations along the VA-MD line.

They then became a part of the old Turner Ashby brigade under the command of General William E. "Grumble" Jones. Jones turned them into a fighting force. When the men of "White's brigade" learned they were now a part of the regular army under Jones they nearly revolted. Companies A & B claimed they didn't enlist in the regular army and they wanted to continue to raid, but White prevailed and they settled down.

In the spring of 1863 they operated in the mountains of western Virginia around Greenland Gap and the Cheat River and as far as Morgantown. Pennsylvania (areas around Pittsburgh) became concerned about their activities, but White turned south toward Clarksburg. They did a lot of damage to railroad lines in this area.

When they got back to the Shenandoah Valley, they were attached to General J. E. B. Stuart's division and prepared for the invasion of the North. Both General Jones and Colonel White had disagreements with Stuart and after a small battle near Stuart's headwarters at St. James' Church, the regiment was detached from Stuart and returned to General Ewell at his request. After a raid at Point of Rocks, they were ready to march on to Gettysburg.

The road north took them to Shepherdstown and across the Potomac River to Sharpsburg, VA and Hagerstown, MD reporting to General Ewell at Chambersburg, PA. White's Battalion was the only cavalry unit attached to Lee's advance unit as Jeb Stuart had taken off behind enemy lines. The 35th was ordered to join General Gordon's brigade to advance through Gettysburg and burn the bridge over the Susquehanna River at Wrightsville. As they carried out this order, the 35th was the first confederate unit to arrive at Gettysburg where they met a small force under the command of Colonel Jennings who immediately retreated. It was Co. E who led them into Gettysburg. The Gettysburg Star and Banner published the news on July 2, 1863 under the headline "THE REBELS IN GETTYSBURG". They went on to say:
The Rebels entered Gettysburg in force about 4 o'clock on Friday last. The advance consisted of about two hundred of White's mounted guerillas, who charged up Chambersburg street in the most terrific manner, yelling like demons and firing their revolvers as they passed through the town. They were followed by three regiments of infantry, two from Louisianna and one from Georgia. Some time after . . . the guerillas dashed out of town for several miles along the principal roads in the pursuit of citizens who were leaving for other parts. They overtook quite a number and turned them back, and after taking their horses left them off . . .
The battalion rode through Hanover and York, destroying railroad bridges as they went. Arriving in Wrightsville, they found the bridge over the Susquehanna already burning, being set on fire by the north to delay any passage over the river by Confederates. They returned to York and camped on June 28th.

On July 1, White's cavalry led General Gordon's brigade toward Gettysburg and the sound of General Hill's guns. They protected Gordon's left flank during a skirmish along Rock Creek. On July 2, White's brigade was broken up into scouting parties trying to find the right flank of the Union army and did little than watch the battle. In the afternoon of July 3 they supported General Smith's brigade marching along the York road and ran into Union pickets whom they drove away. Jeb Stuart's brigades arrived at this point and went into action fighting the great cavalry battle, but White's battalion continued to operate on the flank of the infantry and was not involved in Stuart's battle. On July 4, a very rainy day, they assisted rounding up stragglers and burying the dead. On the retreat beginning on July 5, White and his men served as the rear guard of the retreating confederate army. They were the first to arrive in Gettysburg and the last to leave.

Once back on Virginia soil, the 35th turned to raiding once again operating on an independent status. They camped at Paris, near Ashby's Gap and conducted raids on a daily basis. On August 29 they were ordered to again become a part of Jeb Stuart's brigade and they did so with heavy hearts for they did not like being a part of the regular army. They found themselves attached to Wade Hampton's division, however, and they found him a general they could follow.

Camped at Hamilton's Crossing on the Richmond, Frederickburg and Potomac Railroad below Fredericksburg, the battalion fought on the flanks. A series of cavalry battles ensued including one at Parker's Store. It was here they earned the nickname "Comanches" for their wild riding and ear-piercing yells. They carried this name proudly throughout the rest of the war.

Sent back to the Shenandoah Valley on December 16, 1863, the regiment had a difficult time travelling through the winter storms. The Shenandoah River was flooded but they managed to cross at Conrad's Store and went into winter camp at Timberville in Shenandoah County.

On February 29, 1864 they were ordered to Richmond. The brigade, with the 35th riding with it, marched all night in freezing rain and reached Charlottesville about noon the following day. By the fourth they were at Hanover Junction and they camped within six miles of Richmond. On March 7 they were ordered back to the Valley and went into camp near Natural Bridge. One participate called the marching "the most intolerable piece of audacious foolishness."

On May 1 they were traveling again. General Grant was moving toward the Rapidan River and Lee was massing his forces to oppose him. THE REGIMENTAL HISTORY contains this paragraph about Company F:
While moving toward the main army, the battalion was somewhat shaken by an incident that could have had an explosive effect but ended on a beneficial note. All of the companies in the 35th Battalion had experienced problems in discipline, but Company F seemed to have more than its share of free spirits. They would fight, but orders were merely empty words to them. Captain Marcellus French had inherited command of these 'bad boys,' and had attempted to bring order from chaos. At this camp in Greene County, Captain French issued orders that no one would leave camp without permission. This order was immediately disobeyed by one soldier who stayed out all night. Upon return, he gave a disrespectful remark to Captain French when questioned. Without further ado, the Captain struck the culprit on the head with his sabre, knocking the offender down. Great excitement reigned throughout the company, even to the extent of proposing bodily harm to French. When the company commander heard these threats, he appeared before the men and offered to take on any of them. This outward display of fearlessness cooled off all of the hotheads and none accepted the Captain's offer. Needless to say discipline improved, and Company F became one of the best in the battalion.
The 35th was heavily engaged in The Wilderness fighting in the summer of 1864 and by fall they were sent back to the Valley. They passed through Lexington and Staunton and camped, once again, at Bridgewater. Here they learned the Valley was in flames "from mountain to mountain." Sheridan, under Grant's orders to destroy this "granary of the Confederacy", was burning everything in sight. Again they raided into enemy territory in search of supplies. They moved through Brock's Gap in West Virginia on December 15 heading for the Mooresville-Petersburg Valley and were confronted by bad weather, bushwackers and a valley already stripped of supplies. After two days and nights of freezing cold they made their way back to the Shenandoah. The unit historian recorded, "If there was a sober man in the battalion, outside of Company E, I did not see him." Back at camp, they now faced starvation as the Valley was now wasteland and unable to supply them. Colonel White tried to get the men released so they could go home, but the men took matters into their own hands and deserted. Only Company E, the well disciplined company, remained. Colonel White obtained permission for the companies to go home but by that time Company F had already crossed the Blue Ridge Mountains to Albermarle County, their home county. The other companies returned to Loudon County as a unit where, after visiting homes, they returned to raiding.

In the spring of 1865, the Battalion left Loudon County to join Lee's army at Petersburg. They fought battles around Petersburg and finally at Five Forks and High Bridge and then began the retreat. At daybreak on April 9, Captain Frank Myers with the 35th Battalion and Dan Hatcher with the 7th Virginia Cavalry broke through the Union lines and reached the Lynchburg road. White flags were showing everywhere and the guns were silent. As General Lee and General Grant were meeting at Appamattox, the "Comanches" were riding toward Lynchburg, not waiting to surrender.

Organization

Cavalry Corps Maj. Gen. James E. B. Stuart

Roster of Shiflets

Anderson Shiflett
  1. Deserted 8/29/64
  2. Private, Co. F, 35th Battalion Calvary; Enlisted 1/17/1863 Albemarle Co. There are two Anderson Shifletts listed that may be this Anderson:
    1) Anderson Shiflett, b.c. 1839 Greene Co. Listed on the 1850 Greene Co. census as the son of Asa Shiflett; listed in 1860 Greene Co. census in the Solomon and Winny Shifflett household.
    2)Anderson Shifflett, b.c. 1845, d. before 1880; m.c. 1865 Susan Gladden, d/o Sarah (Sallie) Gladden. Had four children: 1866, 1873, 1874, 1877. Listed on the 1850 Rockingham Co. census living in Ezekiel Crawford household; 1870 Rockingham Co. census listed as head of household.
  3. Broadfoot: VA Ist Arty. Co. H
Calvin Shifflett
  1. No desertions listed.
  2. Co. F, 35th Battalion Calvary; Private, in Charlottesville Hospital from 3/10/1863 to 5/18/1863 with cystitis/debilitis; b.c. 1828, m. 2 Jan 1849 Elizabeth Herring, b.c. 1828. Supposedly shot for desertion in Boonesville right before the war ended. Also served in the 88th VA Militia from Mar 10, 1862 to May 2,1862; left at home sick. 88th info submitted by Norm Addington.
  3. Broadfoot: VA Cav. 35th Bn. Co. F; also listed as Calvin Shifflet 88th Mil.
John F. Shifflett
  1. Also listed under the 46th VA Regular Infantry; deserted 8/31/64
  2. Sergeant, Co. F, 35th Battalion VA Calvary; enlisted 6/27/1862 in Albemarle Co., VA: Present 2/1864, absent on furlough 4/30/1864. B. 1831 Albemarle Co., d. bef. 1900; s/o Henry B. and Patience Shorb Shiflett. Spouse: Sarah A. Miriam Frazier.
  3. Broadfoot: VA Cav. 35th Bn. Co. F Sgt.; also listed 46th Inf. 2nd Co. D
Reeves Shifflet
  1. AWOL 8/31/64
  2. Private, Co. F, 35th Battalion VA Calvary; enlisted 2/15/1863 in Albemarle Co., VA. Captured 6/9/1863 at Brandy Station. Paroled Old Capitol Prison 6/35/1863. Absent 2/1864 on horse detail. Present 4/30/1864. May be Rives Shiflet, b.c. 1832, m.c. 1860 Amanda Unknown, b. 1845. Had three children: Jane, 1863, John 1865, and Eliza 1868.
  3. Rives Shiflett VA 1st Arty. Co. H, G
Thornton Shiflet
  1. Deserted on 4/30/64 at Waynesboro
  2. Private, Co. F, 35th Battalion VA Calvary; enlisted 8/1/1863 in Loudoun Co., VA. Present 2/1864. Deserted 4/30/1864 at Waynesboro, VA. No further definitive information available.

Sources:
Item 1. Regimental Series: 35th Battalion Calvary, submitted by Dick Landis.
Item 2. SHIFLET (and Variant Spellings) 1700 -1900. Extracted and Compiled by L.F. Shifflett and Barbara Shifflett Hensley.
Item 3. Roster of Confederate Soldiers 1861-1865 by Broadfoot.

Back to Civil War TOC or War TOC or Site Index

This page is part of the Shiflet Family Genealogy Website and is maintained by:
Julia Crosswell / Fort Worth, TX /
Bob Klein / Pasadena, MD /

Valid HTML 4.0!