Served in Company I, 1st Cav., Virginia as Pvt

Residence Rockingham County VA; Enlisted on 5/22/1861 at Harrisonburg, VA as a Private. On 5/22/1861 he mustered into "I" Co. VA 1st Cavalry He died of disease on 11/17/1861 at Camp Cooper, VA (Died of typhoid fever) He was listed as: * Horse died 7/15/1861 (place not stated) (Died of distemper, paid $185.00) Other Information: born in Rockingham County, VA (Brother of James H. and John H. Sheets.) Sources used: - The Virginia Regimental Histories Series

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Unit Details:

1st Cavalry Regiment completed its organization at Winchester, Virginia, in July, 1861. Unlike most regiments, the 1st contained twelve companies. The men were from the counties of Frederick, Berkeley, Rockbridge, Clarke, Washington, Augusta, Jefferson, Amelia, Loudoun, Rockingham, and Gloucester. After taking part in the Battle of First Manassas, the unit was brigaded under Generals J.E.B. Stuart, F. Lee, Wickham, and Munford. It participated in more than 200 engagements of various types including the Seven Days' Battles and Stuart's ride around McClellan. The regiment was active in the conflicts at Gainesville, Second Manassas, Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg, Kelly's Ford, Chancellorsville, Brandy Station, Gettysburg, Bristoe Station, The Wilderness, Todd's Tavern, Spotsylvania, Bethesda Church, and Cold Harbor. Later it was involved in Early's operations in the Shenandoah Valley, the defense of Petersburg, and the Appomattox Campaign. In April, 1862, it totalled 437 men, lost eight percent of the 310 engaged at Gettysburg, and had 318 fit for duty in September, 1864. The cavalry cut through the Federal lines at Appomattox and later disbanded. Only 1 man from this unit were present at the surrender. The field officers were Colonels R. Welby Carter, James H. Drake, William E. Jones, Fitzhugh Lee, William A. Morgan, and James E.B. Stuart; Lieutenant Colonels L. Tiernan Brien and Charles R. Irving; and Major Robert Swan.