The James City Cavalry Camp and it’s members concentrate
on two key areas to recognize our ancestors. We are active in improving the condition of local James City County cemeteries
where Confederate soldiers are interred and we schedule a wide variety of interesting speakers to expand our appreciation
of the War Between the States and the sacrifices made by our ancestors.
If you have Confederate ancestors please contact any of
our Camp officers regarding the process for becoming a member of the SCV and the James City Cavalry. You are welcome
to come join us at one of our meetings. There is an attached tab that shows past speakers and upcoming speakers at our
meetings.
The James City Cavalry, Company H, Fifth Regiment was mustered into service in the City
of Williamsburg by Colonel Munford, May 22, 1861. There were so few members enrolled that a little cheating was done in order
to get it accepted. It subsequently made such a reputation, that it was more difficult to keep out recruits than it
was to gain them. It never lost a man by transfer, and only one by exchange.
“Company H, The James
City Cavalry, under Captain James H. Allen, had served as Company I, 3rd Virginia Cavalry since enlisting at Williamsburg
on April 1, 1861. The troop reorganized for the war on May 1, 1862. They were transferred to the 5th Virginia Cavalry
on June 25, 1862. Major [Beverley Browne] Douglas commented to Captain Allen, “Your company illustrates the fact that
educated gentlemen always make good soldiers.”
From 3rd Virginia Cavalry, Thomas
P. Nanzig, page 2
“ Co. I (1st) – James City Troop (or Cavalry): , James
City County. Mustered June 24, 1861. Transferred to the 5th Virginia Cavalry on May 1, 1862. 57 men enlisted.”
From
5th Virginia Cavalry, Robert J. Driver, Jr., page 27:
