The 35th Virginia Cavalry is an American Civil War re-enacting group based primarily in Eastern Massachusetts, however, we have members ranging throughout New England. The 35th is made up of two companies, A (mounted) & B (dismounted) which portray prototypical calvarymen of the Army of Northern Virginia. We travel throughout New England and the Southern States taking part in battle re-enactments, living history encampments, parades and school presentations.
The 35th are members of the Liberty Greys, The 6th Regiment, Army of Northern Virgina, our re-enacting parent organization.
The 35th Virgina Cavalry, Cos A & B are equal opportunity organzitions. We do not discriminate in any way on the basis of race, age, creed, gender or orientation.
A Brief History of the 35th
Mustered into service on January 11, 1862, under the command of Elijah Viers White, "White's Rebels" were composed of men from Northern Virgina and Western Maryland. In June of 1862, Capt. George Chiswell, of Maryland, led a group of men across the Potomac to join with White, thus forming the nucleus of Company B (our dismounted re-enacting body). Due to the abundance of Marylander's within the company, Company B soon became known as "Chiswell's Exiles", a name we carry with pride in our modern impression. The 35th was engaged in every major campaign of the Eastern Theater, primarly attached to and under the commands of Gen. Richard Ewell and Gen. John B. Gordon. In late June of 1863 as advance scouts to Gordon and the Army of Northern Virginia, the 35th had the distinction of being the first Confederate forces to enter a small Pennsylvania crossroads town known as Gettysburg. Five days later, on July 4th, 1863, the 35th would serve as rearguard to Robert E. Lee's army thus earning the rare distinction of being both the first and the last Confederate Troops in and out of the Battle of Gettysburg.
The 35th would continue to serve in both capacities, as advance scouts and as rearguard, for the Army of Northern Virginia, throughout the remainder of the conflict. In 1865, troopers of the 35th, serving as the rearmost guard and the last line of defense between Lee and Grant, received a flag of truce from Union troops and unbeknownst to them, carried the offical terms of surrender through the lines to Robert E. Lee at Appomattix Court House.
The 35th Virginia Cavalry Battalion served proudly and distinctly throughout the war and we, as modern day living historians, are proud to represent thier heritage and honor thier memories.
