Army of the Potomac

Private D F Hicks, Goochland Light Dragoons

Harrison's Battalion Cavalry

MAJOR J HARRISON
Major J H Harrison was assigned to Jenifer's Battalion Cavalry, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel W H Jenifer, on 21 July, 1861.

Unlettered Company Goochland Light Dragoons: CAPT. G F HARRISON
The company was assigned to the 4th Virginia Cavalry, Company F, on 4 September, 1861.

Assignment: Jenifer's Battalion Cavalry, Second Brigade, Army of the Potomac, Lieutenant Colonel W H Jenifer commanding (See Jenifer's Battalion Cavalry).

Unlettered Company Governor's Mounted Guard: CAPT. J G CABELL
The company was assigned to the 4th Virginia Cavalry, Company I, on 4 September, 1861.

Assignment: Jenifer's Battalion Cavalry, Second Brigade, Army of the Potomac, Lieutenant Colonel W H Jenifer commanding (See Jenifer's Battalion Cavalry).

Unlettered Company Hanover Light Dragoons: CAPT. W C WICKHAM
The company was assigned to the 4th Virginia Cavalry, Company G, on 4 September, 1861.

Assignment: Wickham's Squadron Cavalry, First Brigade, Army of the Potomac, Captain W C Wickham commanding (See Wickham's Squadron Cavalry).

Unlettered Company Chesterfield Light Dragoons, Company B: CAPT. W B BALL
The company was assigned to the 4th Virginia Cavalry, Company B, in September 1861.

Assignment: Munford's Squadron Cavalry, First Brigade, Army of the Potomac, Lieutenant Colonel T T Munford commanding (See the Munford's Squadron Cavalry).

Sources

"Fontaine offered his services to the Confederacy and received an assignment as assistant surgeon to the 5th Virginia Regiment of Volunteers om May 21, 1861. This order was almost immediately countermanded, and on May 29 he reported to Major Harrison's cavalry command at Manassas. The month of June saw Fontaine attached to Lt. Col. Walter H. Jenifer's cavalry stationed at Sangsters Crossroads."

They followed the plume: The story of J. E. B. Stuart and his staff, by Robert J Trout

"By May 27, Bonham's command was estimated at 7,000, including a new cavalry battalion of four companies."

Battle at Bull Run, by William C Davis

"The commanding officer of the cavalry camp at Ashland will select the four companies of his command best prepared for actual service in the field, and prepare them to move by railroad to Manassas Junction. Two of these companies will take the cars on Wednesday, at such hour and place as the railroad officers may appoint with the Quartermaster's Department, and will be followed on the next day by the two remaining companies. The four companies will be placed under the command of Maj. Julian Harrison Virginia volunteers, who will report to Brigadier-General Bonham on their arrival at Manassas Junction. They will be provided with at least one day's cooked rations for the journey."

Special Orders No. 127, Headquarters Virginia Forces, Richmond, Virginia, 27 May, 1861

The Virginia Regimental Histories Series: Fourth Virginia Cavalry, Second Edition, by K L Stiles

The Virginia Regimental Histories Series: Sixth Virginia Cavalry, Second Edition, by M Musick

A guide to Virginia military organisations 1861–1865, Revised Second Edition by I A Wallace, Jr.

Notes

On 27 May, 1861, Major J Harrison was assigned to command four cavalry companies stationed at Camp Ashland, near Richmond, Virginia, and was ordered to report to Brigadier General M L Bonham, at Camp Pickens, Manasas Junction. The Goochland Light Dragoons and the Governor's Mounted Guard arrived by railroad at Camp Pickens, Manasas Junction, on 27 May, 1861, and the Hanover Light Dragoons and the Chesterfield Light Dragoons, Company B, on 28 May, 1861. The Goochland Light Dragoons and the Governor's Mounted Guard were assigned to Jenifer's Battalion Cavalry and the Hanover Light Dragoons and the Chesterfield Light Dragoons, Company B, were assigned to Wickham's Squadron Cavalry and Munford's Squadron cavalry respectively on 21 July, 1861.

Orders of Battle