Jeff Davis Legion (Mississippi) Cavalry

Confederate Regiments & Batteries > Mississippi

The Legion’s field officers were Colonel William T. Martin, Lieutenant Colonels William G. Conner and Joseph Frederick Waring, and Majors Ivey F. Lewis and William M. Stone.

1861
October 24 Created as the 2nd Mississippi Cavalry Battalion with Martin’s, Captain James Gordon’s and Captain Robert O. Perrin’s companies of Mississippi cavalry and Captain William M. Stone’s Alabama cavalry company. The battalion was under the command of Major William Thompson Martin, a lawyer and district attorney from Natchez.
November Assigned to Stuart’s Cavalry Brigade of the Army of the Potomac.
November 16
Skirmish at Doolan’s Farm

A forage party of fifty men from the 30th New York was surprised, surrounded, and captured near Falls Church.
Late 1861 Reorganized as the Jeff Davis Legion with three Mississippi, two Alabama, and one Georgia companies.
December Assigned to Cavalry Brigade, Potomac District, Department of Northern Virginia
1862
February 13 Major Martin was promoted to lieutenant colonel.
March Assigned to Cavalry Brigade, Army of Northern Virginia
April
Siege of Yorktown

The Legion mustered 171 men.
May 5
Battle of Williamsburg

The Legion lost one man killed.
June 13-15
Stuart’s Ride Around McClellan

Two squadrons of the Legion took part in the ride, 250 men under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Waring. It acted as the rear guard in the last part of the movement. 
June 25-July 1
Seven Days Battles
July Assigned to Hampton’s Brigade of Stuart’s newly-created Cavalry Division.
August Reconnaissance to Forge Bridge.
September 13
Catoctin Mountain

The Legion was attacked at daylight while acting as rear guard for the army as it moved west from Frederick.
September 17
Battle of Sharpsburg (Antietam)

Commanded by Lieutenant Colonel William T. Martin.
November 28 Skirmish near Hartwood Church.
December Lieutenant Colonel Martin was promoted to brigadier general. Major Joseph F. Waring was promoted to lieutenant colonel and took command of the Legion.
December 12 Skirmish at Dumfries
December 19 Skirmish on the Occoquan River, capturing part of Sigel’s wagon train.
1863
March Brigadier General Martin was transferred to the Western Theater.
June 9
Battle of Brandy Station

The Legion lost 4 men wounded.
June 21
Battle of Upperville
July 1-3
Battle of Gettysburg

The Legion was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Joseph F. Waring. It brought 246 men to the field, and lost 4 men killed and 10 wounded. Major William G. Conner was killed on July 3 in fighting on the East Cavalry Field.

From the War Department marker to Hampton’s Brigade at Gettysburg on the East Cavalry Field:

July 2. Engaged in the evening with 3rd Division Cavalry Corps near Hunterstown. Cobb’s Legion led the attack and lost a number of officers and men killed and wounded.

July 3. The Brigade arrived here about noon and skirmished with Union sharpshooters. In the afternoon the 1st North Carolina and Jeff Davis’ Legion advancing in support of Chambliss’ Brigade drove the Union cavalry but met their reserve and were in a critical position when the Brigade went to their support and a hand to hand fight ensued in which Brig. Gen. Wade Hampton was severely wounded. The conflict ended in the failure of the Confederates in their purpose to assail the rear of the Union Army
July 9
Action ar Fleetwood

The Legion lost Lieutenant P.B. Fisher and 2 enlisted men killed and men 12 wounded. 
September Assigned to Butler’s Brigade, Hampton’s Division, Cavalry Corps, Army of Northern Virginia
October-November
Bristoe Campaign

The Legion lost three men wounded.
December
Mine Run Campaign
1864
May 5-6
Battle of the Wilderness
May 8-21
Battle of Spotsylvania Court House
May 23-26
Battle of North Anna
June 1-3
Battle of Cold Harbor
June
Siege of Petersburg
June 24
Battle of Nance’s Shop

Made a charge which “drove the enemy three miles in confusion,” according to General Hampton’s report.
July 11

The Legion was increased to regimental strength by adding the 4th Alabama Cavalry Battalion (three companies) and  the 20th Georgia Cavalry Battalion, Company D. 

Company A – Natchez Cavalry – Adams County, Mississippi
Company B – Chickasaw Rangers – Chickasaw County, Mississippi
Company C – Southern Guards – Kemper County, Mississippi
Company D – Sumter Mounted Guards – Alabama
Company E – Canebrake Legion – Marengo County, Alabama
Company F – Georgia Hussars (Dixie Cavaliers) – Chatham County, Georgia
Company G – Liberty Mounted Rangers – Liberty County, Georgia
Company H – Morehead Rangers – Alabama
Company I – McKenzie’s Company – Alabama
Company K – Robert’s Company – Alabama
Late September

The Legion recorded 234 officers and men present for duty.
October 27
Williamsburg Road
1865
January 19 Ordered to South Carolina and assigned to Young’s Brigade, Butler’s Division, Hampton’s Cavalry Command
February
Carolinas Campaign
April Assigned to Logan’s Brigade, Butler’s Division, Hampton’s Cavalry Command
April 26
Durham Station

Surrendered with General Johnston’s army.