1st Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, History, Equipment, Aircraft
The squadron received an initial nine TB-25Ds, in May 1943, and two more TB-25Ds in the next year. In August 1944, the squadron received nine B-25Js with the same modifications. The D models had a top speed of 284 mph at 15,000 feet with a range of 1,500 miles. The J models had a top speed of 272 mph at 13,000 feet with a range of 1,350 miles.


1st Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, History, Equipment, Aircraft
When the squadron was given three Boeing B-17Es for winter operations in 1943–1944, the crews that went to pick them up in Spokane, Washington in December, found that the airplanes had 1941 serial numbers and had already flown many hours over the Aleutians. It took weeks of maintenance before they were ready for missions in February 1944. The airplanes were stripped of armament and armor and had additional fuel tanks in the bomb bays. They were designated RB-17Es, with a crew complement of pilot, co-pilot, navigator, weather officer, radio operator and flight engineer. Over the next year, the squadron received two additional airplanes, an RB-17F and an RB-17G. The RB-17Fs and RB-17Gs and their crews were on detached service from Air Transport Command; only the weather officers were members of the squadron.


1st Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, History, Equipment, Instruments
The TB-25s were outfitted with: ML-313/AM psychrometer, ML-175-T-1 psychrometer, Friez Aerograph, SCR-718A radio altimeter, Kollsman pressure altimeter, C-13A free air thermometer, cloud height meter.


1st Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, History, Equipment, Instruments
The RB-17s were outfitted with: ML-313/AM psychrometer, Friez or Pioneer Aerograph ML-715, SCR-518 or SCR-718 Radio Altimeter, K-20 camera for cloud photography, cloud height meter, weather observer's table, de-icing equipment.


1st Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, History, Equipment, Instruments
The psychrometers were a wet bulb-dry bulb pair of thermometers. The moisture evaporating from the wet fabric on one bulb cooled it, the lower the humidity the lower the temperature. By comparing the two temperatures, it was possible to calculate the relative humidity. The thermometers were inside the nose of the airplane. Air was trapped by probes attached to the outside and directed in over the thermometer bulbs. When the psychrometer was first tried in the airplanes, the readings were inaccurate.


1st Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, History, Equipment, Instruments
It was found that when exposed to an airstream moving over 200 mph, the friction of the air heated the thermometers. The amount of heating was unpredictable, making it impossible to calculate a correction. New psychrometers were developed that slowed the air before making the readings. With these devices, accuracy was 98–99%.


1st Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, History, Equipment, Instruments
The aerograph combined three instruments, an air pressure sensor, a humidity sensor and a temperature sensor. The sensors were connected to pens that drew graphs on a paper chart wrapped around a rotating drum. The paper chart was replaced with a new one when it was full. When all the charts from a mission were collected in the mission log, they provided a continuous record of conditions of the flight. The air pressure sensor was an aneroid barometer and the humidity sensor was strands of human hair. As the hair absorbed or evaporated moisture, it lengthened or shortened, moving the pen.


1st Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, History, Equipment, Instruments
The radio altimeter gave a true reading of the airplane's altitude when it was over the sea. Over land, the radio altimeter only gave the altitude over the land below. Without knowing the elevation of the land, it wasn't possible to know the true altitude. The pressure altimeter gave the same readings over land or sea, but it could not distinguish between a change in air pressure caused by a change in altitude and a change in air pressure caused by a change in barometric pressure. Therefore, the pressure altimeter was only accurate to a range of altitudes. By using both altimeters together over the ocean, it was possible to determine the true altitude, the true air pressure at that altitude and the pressure at other altitudes at that point.


1st Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, History, Equipment, Instruments
On some RB-17E missions, there was also a bucket in the event the weather officer got airsick.


1st Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, History, Observations
All the effort of the officers and men of the squadron had one goal, to place the necessary instruments and a trained observer in the air at the right place and time. The success of any mission depended on the reliability of the readings they made. The instruments used were typically what any weather observer would have used at the time, modified where needed to adapt to the special circumstances of flight. In particular, they were designed to give readings from the air outside the airplane, not inside.


1st Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, History, Observations
In all types of aircraft used, the weather officer sat in the nose where the bombardier would be in a combat airplane. The glazing gave good views of the sky, and, when flying at low, the sea. The weather officer's task was to observe and record both the visible conditions outside the airplane and the indications on the instruments. The psychrometer and aerograph indicated the relative humidity. The free air thermometer and aerograph gave the air temperature. The radio altimeter gave the altitude, and the pressure altimeter and aerograph gave the air pressure.


1st Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, History, Observations
By using both altimeters, the weather officer determined and recorded the air pressure at standard altitudes, such as 5,000 and 10,000 feet. Wind speed and direction were determined from the aircraft's drift off course. By watching for sharp changes in temperature and humidity on the aerograph chart, the weather officer noted the strength and locations of cold fronts. By having the airplane fly along a constant pressure altitude, the weather officer could map an isobaric surface.


1st Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, History, Observations
Looking outside, he observed the height, amount and type of clouds and could photograph significant formations. He could also observe the amount and duration of any icing. At low altitudes, he could estimate the wind speed and direction if its effect on the ocean's surface was strong enough. All these observations were logged and periodically radioed to the weather reporting network. At the end of the mission, the weather officer submitted his log to the 8th Weather Squadron forecasters for analysis.


1st Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, History, Operations
While the squadron's headquarters were in the northeastern US, it operated throughout the North Atlantic region. It had headquarters first at Presque Isle, Maine, and then Grenier Field in New Hampshire. Reconnaissance flights were staged out of: Gander Airport, Newfoundland; Goose Bay, Labrador; Bluie West 1, Greenland; Meeks Field, Iceland; Stornoway in the Hebrides, Scotland; Kindley Field; Bermuda; Lajes Field, Azores; Atkinson Field, British Guiana; Morrison Field, Florida; Borinquen Field, Puerto Rico; Waller Field, Trinidad; and Belem Airport, Brazil. During its 31 months of operations, it performed four different missions; area synoptic reconnaissance, route reconnaissance, vertical soundings and hurricane reconnaissance.


1st Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, History, Operations
The first missions in 1943 were route reconnaissance flown by TB-25Ds. The planes scouted ahead of a planned flight of aircraft across a short hop route, reporting the weather along the way by Morse code. At the end of the reconnaissance the weather officer also sent a report describing the types of aircraft that could cross safely. Because weather reports were vital information that the Germans could intercept, they were encrypted before they were sent.


1st Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, History, Operations
Under Clark Hosmer the squadron's initial nine TB-25Ds were divided into three flights of three airplanes. Each flight was assigned one leg of the route. The first leg was between Labrador and Greenland, a second between Greenland and Iceland, and a third between Iceland and Scotland. Each were 700 to 800 miles. In the first six months of Hosmer's command, the squadron flew 446 missions and no planes were lost to weather on flights scouted by the squadron. This achievement earned medals for the commander and his crews.


1st Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, History, Operations
By December the North Atlantic weather was too dangerous for twin engine B-25s to fly in safely and six planes were sent to the 9th Weather Region to fly reconnaissance for the South Atlantic ferry route. Two airplanes each went to: Morrison Field, Flight C; Trinidad, Flight D; and Brazil, Flight E. Their missions were primarily route reconnaissance at first, shifting to more synoptic missions towards the end of their assignments. They returned north in May 1944.


1st Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, History, Operations
Route reconnaissance was very good for short term forecasts over one route, but wasn’t very efficient, so early in 1944 the squadron began emphasizing synoptic area reconnaissance. Since weather moves from west to east over the North Atlantic, it was possible to make useful forecasts for all the routes by taking readings over a large area from Newfoundland and Labrador to Greenland.


1st Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, History, Operations
In December 1943, the squadron received a flight of three B-17s on detached service from ATC. These heavier aircraft with four engines were better able to handle the rough winter weather. When they started flying in February 1944, they flew a synoptic track out and back from either Goose Bay or Gander Field. This was at first designated Flight B, later as Falcon Flight. On a typical mission, the airplane started at 0730GMT from Gander and flew a round trip of 1400 nautical miles.


1st Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, History, Operations
On the outbound segment, the airplane flew 700 nautical miles at 10,000 feet and returned inbound at 500 feet. During the flight, the weather officer periodically recorded the altitude, temperature, air pressure, relative humidity and the wind speed and direction. He also recorded the amount and duration of any icing, the strength and location of any cold fronts and the amount, type and height of any clouds. The readings were reported every 100 miles by radio. These missions continued until February 1945. Meanwhile, the three B-25s that were left behind at Presque Isle in December 1943 were organized into Flight A and flew a few missions that winter between Presque Isle, Goose Bay and Gander Field.


1st Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, History, Operations
In March 1944, the squadron instituted a synoptic flight, named Eagle, from Lajes Field in the Azores. Two B-25s flew a daily 1200-mile track. In May, Eagle Flight assisted the Navy moving six blimps from Massachusetts to French Morocco. Eagle Flight continued until August 1945.


1st Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, History, Operations
In May 1944, the B-25s returned from the 9th Weather Region and resumed reconnaissance in the North Atlantic. Three new routes were set, named Redbird, Bluebird and Blackbird: Redbird initially between Goose Bay and BW1 then between Goose Bay and Presque Isle; Bluebird between Bluie West 1 and Meeks Field; Blackbird between Meeks Field and Stornoway. Most of the missions were route reconnaissance but shifted towards more synoptic missions through the summer. Starting in July, there was an additional out and back synoptic track named Raven flown south of Iceland from Meeks Field.


1st Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, History, Operations
In the winter, the squadron again sent three flights of airplanes south, to Lajes Field, Kindley Field in Bermuda, and Atkinson Field, British Guiana. Eagle Flight at Lajes got an additional four to six planes, depending on the month. The operations out of Kindley were named Robin Flight. Eagle and Robin Flights continued until they were inactivated in August 1945. The operations out of Atkinson were named Duck Flight.


1st Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, History, Operations
In May 1945, Duck flight moved to Morrison Field, Florida, where it replaced the Hurricane Reconnaissance Unit that had flown for the 1944 hurricane season. Duck Flight flew routine reconnaissance throughout the summer, looking for hurricanes to the east, and south to Antigua, BVI. On 12 September, they found one of the most violent ones ever recorded, Kappler's Hurricane.


1st Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, History, Operations
The developing hurricane was spotted by weather officer  2nd Lt. Bernard J. Kappler while on a routine mission. With little difficulty, Kappler's B-25 flew through the storm that was already close to hurricane strength. They flew on to Antigua for the night with orders to return to the storm in the morning. The next day was more troublesome. Kappler's airplane encountered winds up to 120 knots, severe turbulence and heavy rain before penetrating the eye. The storm was estimated at 200 miles across. Damage on the ground was extensive but no air crew were lost. Automated recordings made as the storm passed over Morrison Field showed the highest sustained wind at 170 mph with a gust to 198 mph.


1st Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, History, Operations
In the period June through November 1945, Duck Flight flew into six tropical storms, two hurricanes and completed 258 synoptic missions for a total of 1145 hours of operation. Duck Flight moved back to Grenier Field that December and was inactivated. On 21 December, the 1st Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, Air Route, Medium, was inactivated at Grenier Field, New Hampshire.


1st Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, Squadron specifications, Insignia
The figure on the patch is a thunderbird. In some native American cultures, thunderbirds control the weather. A thunderbird throws lightning and creates thunder as it flaps its wings. The background of the patch is blue for the sky. On the sky are clouds, rain drops and a lightning bolt.


1st Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, References, Bibliography
This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency website .


1st Weather Squadron
The United States Air Force's 1st Weather Squadron is a weather unit located at Fort Lewis, Washington. The squadron is connected to the 1st Air Support Operations Group and it provides support to units based at Joint Base Lewis–McChord, including I Corps, the Stryker brigades, an army aviation unit, the 16th Combat Aviation Brigade, and the 201st Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade.


1st Weather Squadron, Duties
The 1st Weather Squadron assists soldiers on the battlefield by predicting the weather, allowing the commanders to determine when to undertake "full-spectrum operations." According to Lorin Smith, the unit's personnel are able to report on the weather that will occur during a "unit's future missions and create battlefield reports to the unit commander on whether that mission will be impacted by the weather and local environment." Weather effects that can be predicted include dust storms and floods. The airmen are taught "infantry tactics" and they are trained in the same basic abilities as soldiers. The 1st Weather Squadron has two sides which are designated as "green and blue". The green side distributes "battlefield weather forecasts and briefing to Army leaders" while the blue side flies with jets and helicopters.


1st Weather Squadron, Duties
In 2019, it was reported that the squadron had 89 members "in six different U.S. Indo-Pacific Command locations". Their data helps 80,000 soldiers and assets belonging to the U.S. Army. The squadron also assists with natural disasters including volcanic eruptions and wildfires.


1st Weather Squadron, History
Harold Huntley Bassett was the first commander of the squadron due to Oscar C. Maier not accepting the job after being recommended for the position.


1st Weather Squadron, History, Lineage
The lineage of the 1st Weather Squadron is as follows:


1st Weather Squadron, History, Assignments
The assignments of the 1st Weather Squadron are as follows:


1st Wessex Artillery
The 1st Wessex Artillery was a volunteer unit of the British Army that existed under various titles from 1860 to 1971, including active service in Mesopotamia in World War I and North Africa and Italy in World War II.


1st Wessex Artillery, Volunteer Artillery 1859-1908
An invasion scare in 1859 led to a surge of new Rifle and Artillery Volunteer corps composed of part-time soldiers eager to supplement the Regular British Army in time of need. The 2nd Hampshire (2nd Hants) Artillery Volunteers (AV) was formed in the Volunteer Force at Southsea on 9 May 1860 and quickly formed further batteries:


1st Wessex Artillery, Volunteer Artillery 1859-1908
The unit became part of the 1st Administrative Brigade, Hampshire Artillery Volunteers when that was formed on 11 December 1860, along with the 1st Hants AV at Bitterne, Southampton, and the 3rd Hants (Dockyard) AV raised from civilian staff of Portsmouth Dockyard. In 1871 the 2nd Hants absorbed the Dockyard AV and moved it headquarters (HQ) to Portsmouth. The 2nd Hants AV drilled on the guns at Southsea Castle.


1st Wessex Artillery, Volunteer Artillery 1859-1908
On 13 April 1880 the Administrative Brigade was consolidated as the 1st Hampshire (Hants and Dorset) Artillery Volunteer Corps, with the 2nd Hants AV providing Batteries Nos 5 to 12 at Portsmouth. In 1882 all the artillery volunteers were assigned to one of the territorial garrison divisions of the Royal Artillery (RA), and the unit joined the Southern Division. It was redesignated the 1st Volunteer (Hampshire) Brigade, Southern Division, RA, in September 1886 when the Dorset batteries formed their own corps and the brigade's HQ moved back to Southsea.


1st Wessex Artillery, Volunteer Artillery 1859-1908
However, the new brigade was broken up again in 1889, the Southampton batteries forming a new 3rd Volunteer Brigade while the Portsmouth batteries remained in the 1st. The following year they were redesignated 1st and 2nd, but because the original 1st Hants AVC was in the 3rd Brigade, that had seniority and so the 1st Bde with the Portsmouth and Southsea batteries became the '2nd Hants' once more.


1st Wessex Artillery, Volunteer Artillery 1859-1908
The newly independent 2nd Hants had 10 batteries (termed companies from November 1891), and in 1894 these were distributed as follows:


1st Wessex Artillery, Volunteer Artillery 1859-1908
By 1893 the War Office Mobilisation Scheme had allocated the 2nd Hampshire Artillery Volunteers to the Portsmouth fixed defences. An 11th company was raised by 1908


1st Wessex Artillery, Volunteer Artillery 1859-1908
On 1 June 1899 the RA was split into Royal Field Artillery and Royal Garrison Artillery (RGA), and the Volunteers were affiliated to the RGA. On 1 January 1902 the RA abandoned its divisional organisation and the unit changed its designation to 2nd Hampshire Royal Garrison Artillery (Volunteers).


1st Wessex Artillery, Volunteer Artillery 1859-1908
By 1900 the 2nd Hants had a total enrolment of 777 out of an authorised strength of 805 officers and men. In 1904 the unit won the King's Prize for Garrison Artillery at the annual National Artillery Association competition held at Shoeburyness.


1st Wessex Artillery, Territorial Force
When the Volunteers were subsumed into the new Territorial Force (TF) under the Haldane Reforms of 1908, Nos 1–8 companies of the 2nd Hants RGA formed 1st (Wessex) Brigade Royal Field Artillery (RFA), organised as follows:


1st Wessex Artillery, Territorial Force
Nos 10 and 11 Companies were separated to form the nucleus of the 2nd Wessex (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA, on the Isle of Wight.


1st Wessex Artillery, Territorial Force
No 9 Company at Cosham also provided the nucleus of the Wessex (Hampshire) Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery.


1st Wessex Artillery, Territorial Force
As the change of title indicates, 1st Wessex Brigade was now trained and equipped as field artillery rather than garrison artillery. It formed part of the Wessex Division of the TF. When war was declared in August 1914 the whole division was at its annual camp on Salisbury Plain.


1st Wessex Artillery, World War I, Mobilisation
On mobilisation in 1914, the Territorials of the Wessex Division were sent to India to relieve British and Indian Regular troops for the Western Front. The artillery left behind their horses and their ammunition column, which were needed in France.


1st Wessex Artillery, World War I, Mobilisation
With the expansion of the army, the division was designated 43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division in April 1915 and 1st Wessex Brigade became CCXV (or 215) Brigade RFA. Its three batteries were renamed A, B and C.


1st Wessex Artillery, World War I, Mobilisation
All those Territorials who had not volunteered for overseas service, together with the recruits, were left behind to form Second Line units. The 45th (2nd Wessex) Division containing the CCXXV (2/1st Wessex) Bde RFA resulted from this process, and was ready so quickly that it followed the 43rd to India in December 1914. These units remained in garrison in India, supplying drafts to the First Line and other theatres throughout the war until they had virtually disappeared. CCXXV Bde was broken up in April 1917.


1st Wessex Artillery, World War I, Mobilisation
Initially, CCXV brigade had been equipped with obsolete 15-pounder field guns, but in July 1916 it re-equipped with 4 x 18-pounders per battery in preparation for front line duty.


1st Wessex Artillery, World War I, Mesopotamia
With a reformed Brigade Ammunition Column, CCXV Bde moved in October 1916 to Basra to take part in the Mesopotamian campaign, and on 8 December 1916 it joined 3rd (Lahore) Division of the Indian Army on the Tigris front. At this time it had 524 (Howitzer) Battery (4 x 4.5-inch howitzers) attached, which remained with the brigade until September 1917.


1st Wessex Artillery, World War I, Mesopotamia
From 14 December 1916 until 19 January 1917 the division participated in the advance to the Hai and the capture of the Khudaira Bend. The one-hour bombardment at Khudaira by 3rd Division's guns on 9 January was described by the Turks as 'violent' and caused heavy losses. When the infantry went in they occupied the Turkish front line in minutes with few losses. The Turks counter-attacked under cover of a mist, but when that cleared a 15-minute bombardment enabled the British to secure the position.


1st Wessex Artillery, World War I, Mesopotamia
After the capture of Baghdad, 524th (Howitzer) Battery was lent to 7th (Meerut) Division for the advance on Hassaiwa and Fallujah, which was captured on 19 March 1917. In parallel, the rest of CCXV Bde was with another force advancing towards Khaniqin, where they were supposed to link up with Russian troops. There was no sign of the Russians, but the Turks were present in force in the Jabal Hamrin hills. A brigade group including B Battery CCXV was ordered to outflank this position, and at one point B/CCXV was engaging the enemy at 1500 yards' range from open positions in the plain. But the Turkish position was too strong and the British force had to fall back towards Baghdad.


1st Wessex Artillery, World War I, Mesopotamia
In July the British resumed their advance, making for Ramadi. CCXV had its own A and B Batteries, 66th Battery and 524 (Howitzer) Battery under command. Contact was made at Mushaid Ridge, where the force was held by heavy fire from the banks of the Euphrates Canal and from the Regulator House. 2nd Battalion 7th Gurkha Rifles and CCXV Bde were ordered to try a left flanking movement.


1st Wessex Artillery, World War I, Mesopotamia
The Turks had about six guns firing very accurately, but 66th and 524th Batteries got the upper hand and by 1830 hours the Gurkhas were across the canal, only to come under heavy fire from the Ramadi trenches. Forward artillery observers saw signs of a Turkish retirement and brought down fire on the Aziziya Ridge to cut them off. But now confusion set in: Turkish shells cut telephone wires, two forward observers were wounded, and a dust storm blew up. Then two guns of B Battery were hit. No effective artillery bombardment was possible and the attack had to be called off. The flanking force had lost 566 casualties, 321 from the effects of heat.


1st Wessex Artillery, World War I, Mesopotamia
On 7 August 1917 CCXV's 18-pounder batteries were renamed again, as 1086, 1087 and 1088, and 1087 Battery was then broken up (probably to make the other batteries up to 6 guns each). CCXV Bde transferred to 15th Indian Division on 4 October 1917 and gained an extra battery: 2/1st Nottinghamshire Royal Horse Artillery (renumbered 816 Battery RFA in February 1918).


1st Wessex Artillery, World War I, Mesopotamia
With 15th Indian Division on the Euphrates front, CCXV Bde participated in the occupation of Hīt on 8 March 1918 and the action of Khan Baghdadi on 25 March 1918. At the latter battle, CCXV and CCXXII Brigades advanced by alternate batteries over rough country under heavy enemy fire. 1088 Battery lost a gun and many casualties, but they continued moving forward and kept the momentum of the infantry advance going.


1st Wessex Artillery, World War I, Mesopotamia
By now the gunners were so far forward that they were engaging at ranges of 1800–2200 yards, putting down a steady barrage on the Turkish trenches followed by 15 minutes of intense fire, described by the RA's historian, Gen Sir Martin Farndale, as 'the most accurate seen so far' on the Mesopotamian Front. The infantry were able to enter these trenches with few casualties, taking many prisoners and enemy guns.


1st Wessex Artillery, World War I, Mesopotamia
After Khan Baghdadi, CCXV was sent to the rear to ease supply problems, and therefore took no part in the pursuit to Kirkuk through April and May. 15th Indian Division played little part in the final battles in Mespotamia. CCXV Bde was placed in suspended animation in 1919.


1st Wessex Artillery, Interwar years, 54th (Wessex) Field Brigade
The 1st Wessex Brigade reformed on 7 February 1920 with 1–3 (Hampshire) Batteries, and reabsorbed the Wessex Heavy Battery as 4 (Hampshire) (Howitzer) Battery. In 1921 the TF was reorganised as the Territorial Army (TA) and the brigade now became 54th (Wessex) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, organised as follows:


1st Wessex Artillery, Interwar years, 54th (Wessex) Field Brigade
The RFA was subsumed into the Royal Artillery (RA) on 1 June 1924 and the brigade became 54th (Wessex) Field Brigade.


1st Wessex Artillery, Interwar years, 57th (Wessex) Anti-Aircraft Brigade
The unit was given a new role and title on 1 October 1932 as 57th (Wessex) Anti - Aircraft Brigade, taking over 219 (Isle of Wight) Battery from 95th (Hampshire Yeomanry) Field Regiment in exchange for 216 (Cosham) Battery (219 (IoW) Battery had originally been part of 2nd Wessex Bde). In February 1938 219 (IoW) AA Bty absorbed 216 (Cosham) Fd Bty returned from 95th Fd Bde and was redesignated 219 (Isle of Wight and Cosham) AA Bty. Then in July 1938 the other three batteries changed their designations, giving the brigade the following organisation on the eve of World War II:


1st Wessex Artillery, Interwar years, 57th (Wessex) Anti-Aircraft Brigade
As Britain's AA defences were expanded, on 1 April 1938 the regiment became part of the newly formed 35th Anti- Aircraft Brigade at Fareham, which soon became part of a new 5th AA Division raised in September 1938 with responsibility for the south and south-west of England.


1st Wessex Artillery, Interwar years, 57th (Wessex) Anti-Aircraft Brigade
On 1 January 1939 the RA's AA brigades were redesignated 'regiments', eliminating confusion with the new AA formations being created.


1st Wessex Artillery, World War II, Mobilisation and Blitz
Anti - Aircraft Command mobilised in August 1939, ahead of the declaration of war, and 57th AA Regiment was transferred to a new 65th AA Brigade in 5th AA Division, responsible for the AA defence of Southampton. It remained with this brigade through the Battle of Britain and the Southampton Blitz.


1st Wessex Artillery, World War II, Mobilisation and Blitz
In the summer of 1940, along with other AA units equipped with 3-inch or the newer 3.7-inch AA guns, the 57th was designated a Heavy AA Regiment, and 213 Light AA Battery was converted to HAA.


1st Wessex Artillery, World War II, Mobilisation and Blitz
The regiment sent a cadre to 209th Training Regiment at Blandford Camp to form a new 400 HAA Bty on 12 December 1940. This joined 122nd HAA Rgt in 1941. Later, the regiment also provided the cadre for 430 HAA Bty formed on 8 May 1941 at 207th HAA Training Rgt, Devizes.


1st Wessex Artillery, World War II, Mid-war years
When the Blitz ended in May 1941, the regiment had returned to Portsmouth and 35th AA Bde. Shortly afterwards, 219 Bty was attached to 27th AA Bde in 5th AA Division, and during the summer it was permanently transferred to 124th HAA Rgt in that brigade. It was replaced in 57th HAA Rgt by 430 Bty from the training regiment. However, by December, the regiment had transferred (with just 213, 214 and 215 Btys) to 49th AA Bde covering London as part of 1st AA Division, while 430 Bty went on 17 December to 42nd AA Bde covering Glasgow and the Firth of Clyde in 12th AA Division.


1st Wessex Artillery, World War II, Mid-war years
57th HAA Regiment was now under training for mobile operations overseas, and it temporarily left AA Command in January 1942, returning to 34th AA Bde covering Birmingham and Coventry in 11th AA Division. In May it transferred to 61st AA Bde in 9th AA Division in South Wales, but left again by the end of June, leaving AA Command entirely.


1st Wessex Artillery, World War II, North Africa
In October 1942, 57 (Wessex) HAA Rgt with 213, 214 and 215 Batteries was sent to North Africa to join 12 AA Bde in Eighth Army. Two of the batteries were equipped with the older 3-inch 20 cwt gun on a modernised trailer, rather than the newer 3.7-inch. This was because the lighter 3-inch was easier and quicker to deploy in the rough country anticipated for this campaign. The regiment remained with 12 AA Bde to the end of the campaign in May 1943.


1st Wessex Artillery, World War II, Italy
In September 1943, 12 AA Bde including 57 HAA Rgt sailed direct from Tunisia to take part in the landings at Salerno on mainland Italy (Operation Avalanche). When German counter-attacks threatened to break through 56th (London) Division to the beachhead on D+3, one newly arrived battery of 57 HAA Rgt was called upon to join the divisional fire-plan under control of field regiment Observation Post parties. The regiment fired 6000 rounds on enemy positions, road junctions, buildings and troops.


1st Wessex Artillery, World War II, Italy
For X Corps' crossing of the River Volturno in October, 12 AA Bde's units were deployed to protect bridges, field gun positions and landing grounds. ' The Luftwaffe was very active in attempting to deny the crossings, particularly in the use of Me1092 and Fw190s in fighter-bomber attacks. Seven were shot down, two by 213rd/57th HAA Battery, which knocked down an Me109 with 13 rounds'.


1st Wessex Artillery, World War II, Italy
However, the threat from the Luftwaffe declined as the campaign progressed, and the versatile 3.7-inch HAA guns began to be used in field roles as corps medium artillery. From October to December 1943, 12 AA Bde was static, with all of its regiments and batteries engaged in corps tasks in the forward area.


1st Wessex Artillery, World War II, Italy
In January 1944, 12 AA Bde moved up to cover the crossing of the Garigliano. Bde HQ reported that 57 HAA, operating in a dual AA/field role, had a particularly busy time involving 16 AA engagements, in which there were two Category 1 kills for the expenditure of 222 rounds, intermixed with firing 10,880 rounds against counter-bombardment and opportunity targets on the ground. Continuous rapid fire led to overheating and twice the usual amount of barrel wear for the guns. In addition, the gunlaying (GL) and local warning (LW) radar sets of the batteries operating up forward in the ground role provided the only AA early warning coverage across the front.


1st Wessex Artillery, World War II, Italy
Once US Fifth Army had crossed the river and the siege of Monte Cassino begun, 12 AA Bde was transferred to British XII Corps for the Rapido river crossings and the advance along Highway 6 up the Liri Valley. Again the HAA batteries were heavily involved in Corps fireplans, particularly for counter-mortar shoots. Some HAA troops of 4 guns fired over 3000 rounds.


1st Wessex Artillery, World War II, Italy
Once Rome was captured in June and the Germans pulled back to the Gothic Line, 12 AA Bde moved up, providing one HAA battery to each divisional artillery in X Corps, the remainder guarding airfields and river crossings in the Tiber Valley.


1st Wessex Artillery, World War II, Italy
The regiment served through the rest of the Italian Campaign until the end of the war. 57 (Wessex) HAA Rgt was officially placed in suspended animation on 15 January 1946, but was actually was retained as a cadre on 1 March.


1st Wessex Artillery, Postwar years, 74 HAA Regiment
The war service personnel of 57 HAA Rgt continued under the old regimental and battery numbers until 1 April 1947 when they were redesignated 74 HAA Regiment in the Regular Army with the batteries reorganised as follows:


1st Wessex Artillery, Postwar years, 74 HAA Regiment
This regiment and its batteries were placed in suspended animation on 30 July 1958. It was resuscitated in British Army of the Rhine on 1 December 1951 as a Light AA (LAA) regiment with the same three batteries as well as 230 and 231 Btys from the former 84 S/L Rgt [2 S/L Rgt]


1st Wessex Artillery, Postwar years, 74 HAA Regiment
200, 202 and 203 LAA Btys were disbanded on 1 May 1954, then on 15 April 1955 230 and 231 LAA Btys were redesignated to resuscitate 158 and 161 Btys of the disbanded 70 HAA Rgt. Finally, RHQ and the two remaining batteries were placed in suspended animation on 15 July 1958 and formally disbanded on 1 January1 1962.


1st Wessex Artillery, Postwar years, 457 (Wessex) HAA Regiment
When the TA was reconstituted on 1 January 1947 the TA regiment was reformed as 457 (Wessex) (Mixed) HAA Rgt ('Mixed' because it included members of the Women's Royal Army Corps; the Mixed designation was dropped in 1950–51). In the 10-year plan for the TA the regiment was to form part of 73 AA Bde in 2 AA Group, but that only lasted a short while. In 1955 the regiment absorbed 428 HAA Regiment, formerly Princess Beatrice's Isle of Wight Rifles, which formed P (Princess Beatrice's Isle of Wight) Battery alongside Q (Portsmouth) and R (Gosport) Batteries. In 1963, the regiment absorbed 295 (Hampshire Carabiniers Yeomanry) HAA Regiment, and became 457 (Wessex) Heavy Air Defence Regiment, RA, (Hampshire Carabiniers Yeomanry).


1st Wessex Artillery, Postwar years, 457 (Wessex) HAA Regiment
In 1967 the regiment became infantry as C Company (Wessex Royal Artillery Princess Beatrice's) in the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Territorials, but when that regiment was subsumed into the Wessex Regiment the Royal Artillery and Hampshire Yeomanry links were discontinued. However, when 106 (Yeomanry) Regiment Royal Artillery was created in 1999, the old number '457' was revived for 457 (Hampshire Yeomanry) Battery.


1st Wessex Artillery, Commanders, Commanding Officers
The following served as commanding officer (CO) of the unit:


1st Wessex Artillery, Memorials
There is a memorial plaque on the seafront at Hayling Island to 219 Bty, 57 HAA Regiment. Unveiled in July 1994, it lists the names of six men of the battery killed during a German air raid on Portsmouth and Hayling Island on the night of 17/18 April 1941.


1st Wessex Artillery, Memorials
There is also a memorial bench in Walpole Road, Gosport, dedicated to 215 Bty, 57 HAA Regiment, and the Wessex Drill Hall that stood nearby. It was dedicated in 2006.


1st Wessex Artillery, Re-enactment group
The Palmerston Forts Society has a re-enactment group, the Portsdown Artillery Volunteers, based on the 2nd Hants Artillery Volunteers.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment
The 1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Although it started slowly, it became one of the most active and effective of the West Virginia Civil War regiments—and had 14 Medal of Honor recipients, the most for any West Virginia regiment during the war. It was originally called the 1st Virginia Cavalry, not to be confused with the Confederate 1st Virginia Cavalry. Some reports added "Union," "Loyal" or "West" when identifying this regiment. After the Unionist state of West Virginia was officially admitted to the Union in 1863, the regiment became the 1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment. The National Park Service identifies it as the 1st Regiment, West Virginia Cavalry.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment
The regiment was organized in Wheeling, Morgantown and Clarksburg in 1861 and consisted of 13 companies, plus an additional company that was attached for most of the war. Members were predominately recruited from Ohio and Pennsylvania and the western Virginia counties of Marshall, Monongalia, Harrison and Ohio. The regiment was often split during the first two years of the war, with detachments spending time guarding the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad and hunting bushwhackers. During July 1863, ten companies of the regiment fought at the Battle of Gettysburg as part of a division.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment
The regiment began fighting in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley during the second half of 1864. At the beginning of 1865, it became part of the 3rd Brigade in General George Armstrong Custer's Third Division, Cavalry Corps—which, along with another division was under the command of General Philip Sheridan. Sheridan's two cavalry divisions were responsible for eliminating Confederate General Jubal Early's Army of the Valley from the war, and also played an important part in the surrender of Confederate General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. After the war, the 1st West Virginia Cavalry participated in the Grand Review of the Armies, and was mustered out on July 8, 1865.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Formation and organization
Although Virginia seceded from the union and joined the Confederate States of America, many people in the northwestern portion of the state preferred to remain loyal to the United States. The first new cavalry regiment formed from this loyal region was originally known as the 1st Virginia Cavalry, and was sometimes noted as a loyal (to the union) regiment to differentiate it from the 1st Virginia Cavalry that was a rebel force for the Confederacy. The regiment eventually was identified as a West Virginia cavalry regiment after the new state was formed in the loyal section of Virginia.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Formation and organization
Recruiting for the new regiment began during July 1861, and a significant portion of the new recruits were from the cities of Wheeling, Morgantown, and Clarksburg. An analysis of the regiment by the George Tyler Moore Center showed that 32% of the men were from West Virginia, 23% were from Pennsylvania, 16% were from Ohio and the remainder were from Virginia and other states as well as immigrants. One company consisted mostly of men who spoke German.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Formation and organization
The regiment’s first company, known as the Kelley Lancers, rarely fought with the regiment and was usually attached to General Benjamin Franklin Kelley. Their original captain, John Lowry McGee, eventually became commander of the 3rd West Virginia Cavalry. Another company that was typically detached was called Gilmore's Company. The first regiment commander was Colonel Henry Anisansel, who was commissioned on September 7, 1861. Anisansel was a former lieutenant in the Ringgold Cavalry. His second-in-command was Lieutenant Colonel Nathaniel P. Richmond. Richmond had been a lieutenant in the 13th Indiana Infantry Regiment and an aide-de-camp to General William Rosecrans. The regiment's first chief surgeon was Henry Capehart, who eventually became regiment commander and a general.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Early action
The regiment's first action is listed as the Battle of Carnifex Ferry on September 10, 1861. However, the two companies present, Gilmore's Company and a company led by Captain William West that eventually became Company I, were held in reserve. The first fighting was done by the Kelley Lancers (Company A) in Romney in October 1861. As the regiment grew, it worked primarily in detachments to hunt bushwhackers. The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad (a.k.a. the B&O Railroad) was an important asset for the Union army, and detachments of the regiment were also used to guard it.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Early action
Although the regiment became West Virginia's "most active, and one of the most effective," it did not begin well. During 1862, General Frederick W. Lander brought court martial charges against Anisansel for "failing to obey an order to charge the enemy" at Bloomery Gap. Anisansel was exonerated because he claimed a battle injury made him unable to make the charge. After returning to duty, he resigned on August 6, 1862. He was succeeded by Richmond, his second-in-command. During December 1862, Richmond became involved in a dispute that resulted in his arrest for disobedience. Richmond remained under arrest until he resigned on March 18, 1863.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Early action
On May 3, 1863, an 80-man detachment of the regiment was surprise attacked at Warrenton Junction by the notorious guerilla warfare leader Major John S. Mosby and his Mosby's Rangers. They were rescued by the 5th New York Cavalry, but had 17 men killed or wounded, including Major Josiah Steele—who died about one month later from his wounds. During the spring after the Mosby encounter, the regiment was armed with Spencer repeating rifles. Officers from the regiment sent a petition to Secretary of War Edwin Stanton to have Richmond reinstated. Richmond was reinstated as regimental commander on June 12. On June 20, the new state of West Virginia joined the union, and the 1st Virginia Cavalry (loyal) became the 1st West Virginia Cavalry—although many still called it the 1st Virginia.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Gettysburg Campaign
On June 24, the 3rd Brigade, Third Division, Twenty-second Army Corps of the Army of the Potomac departed from its camp in Fairfax, Virginia. Their destination was Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Richmond commanded the 1st West Virginia Cavalry as it departed with 10 of the regiment’s companies as part of this brigade with three other regiments. The brigade moved to Frederick, Maryland, where the entire division was reorganized into two brigades. Brigadier General Judson Kilpatrick was assigned command of the division, and Brigadier General Elon J. Farnsworth was assigned command of the 1st Brigade.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Gettysburg Campaign
Brigadier General George Armstrong Custer was assigned command of the 2nd brigade. As the troops moved from Frederick toward Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, the regiment in the rear was attacked by cavalry under the command of General James Ewell Brown "Jeb" Stuart. Farnsworth's 1st Brigade counter-attacked, and with the help of Custer's 2nd Brigade drove off the Confederate cavalry. The 1st West Virginia had 2 killed, 5 wounded, and 18 men taken prisoner. This June 30 battle became known as the Battle of Hanover.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Gettysburg Campaign, Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg began on the next day, lasting from July 1 through July 3. The Union Army of the Potomac, commanded by General George G. Meade, defeated the invading Confederate Army of Northern Virginia commanded by General Robert E. Lee. Over 150,000 men (both sides combined) fought in this battle, and casualties are estimated to be around 51,000.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Gettysburg Campaign, Gettysburg
Farnsworth's brigade did not encounter any enemy forces for the first two days (July 1 and 2) of the battle. Late in the afternoon on the third day of the battle, Kilpatrick ordered Farnsworth to make a mounted charge against a Confederate infantry position that was fortified and near ground difficult for horses. Although Farnsworth objected, he followed his orders. The 1st West Virginia Cavalry, led by Richmond, made the first charge. The West Virginians became nearly surrounded by the 1st Texas Infantry and had to retreat to safety using their sabers.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Gettysburg Campaign, Gettysburg
They took some prisoners and suffered casualties of five killed and four wounded. Farnsworth led a second group of men in another charge and took significant casualties—and Farnsworth was killed. The charge became known as the infamous Farnsworth's Charge. After the death of Farnsworth, Richmond assumed command (officially July 4) of Farnsworth's 1st Brigade. Major Charles E. Capehart assumed command of the 1st West Virginia Cavalry. Both commands were temporary.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Gettysburg Campaign, Pursuit of Lee's Army
After the third day of fighting at Gettysburg, armies on both sides were exhausted. Lee's Confederate Army of Northern Virginia prepared to leave during the rainy night and return to the relative safety of Virginia. Their trip back would involve traveling through mountains to cross the Potomac River at Williamsport, Maryland. General John D. Imboden led a wagon train carrying wounded men on a northwest route, which was safer and easier to follow. Lee moved with the healthy part of his Army of Northern Virginia on a more southern route to Williamsport that was shorter but had more difficult terrain.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Gettysburg Campaign, Pursuit of Lee's Army
Kilpatrick's division, which was reinforced with cavalry stationed at Emmitsburg, Maryland, pursued Lee's retreating army. Late at night high in the mountains, near Monterey Pass, a dismounted advance guard company from Custer's 2nd Brigade confronted a small group of rebels guarding the pass. The rebels, using only one piece of artillery, prevented Custer's men from entering the pass while a wagon train belonging to Confederate General Richard S. Ewell moved from the north into the pass.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Gettysburg Campaign, Pursuit of Lee's Army
At 3 am, the 1st West Virginia Cavalry were ordered to assist Custer. In pouring rain and total darkness, the 1st West Virginia Cavalry charged down the mountain, capturing the Confederate artillery piece and an entire wagon train in hand-to-hand combat. The captured wagon train consisted of 300 wagons and 15 ambulances, and the horses and mules pulling them. A total of 200 officers and 1,100 men were captured. Casualties for the 1st West Virginia were only 2 killed and 2 wounded. For this action, Charles Capehart was later awarded the Medal of Honor. He accomplished this while having a shattered ankle that was the result of being shot while fighting at Gettysburg.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Gettysburg Campaign, Pursuit of Lee's Army
Less than a week after the battle at Monterey Pass, Colonel Othniel De Forest (who had been ill) of the 5th New York Cavalry reported for duty, and Richmond was relieved from command of the 1st Brigade. Richmond and the 1st West Virginia Cavalry reported to Frederick, Maryland, for provost duty. Lee's army crossed the Potomac at Williamsport and Falling Waters on July 14.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Capehart becomes commander
For the last half of July, the regiment fought in some minor skirmishes, and eventually reported to Stafford, Virginia, near Fredericksburg. On September 16, Richmond was injured when his horse was shot and fell on him at Raccoon Ford on the Rapidan River. He resigned in early November after an October promotion to colonel, and was discharged on a Surgeon's Certificate of Disability on November 11.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Capehart becomes commander
During November, the regiment (ten companies) was in the Battle of Mine Run as part of Custer's Third Division. Their brigade commander was General Henry Eugene Davies, and the regiment was under the temporary command of Major Harvey Farabee. Henry Capehart, the regiment's surgeon (and brother of Charles Capehart), was familiar with the territory, and provided valuable assistance to Davies in strategy and fighting—in addition to navigating the terrain. Davies was impressed, and along with Kilpatrick and Custer recommended Capehart to replace the injured Colonel Richmond as commander of the 1st West Virginia Cavalry. Henry Capehart was commissioned as colonel on December 23, becoming the regiment’s commander.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Army of West Virginia
Beginning in December, the regiment became part of the Department of West Virginia, but was unassigned. Near the end of January 1864, the regiment returned to Wheeling. They stayed at Camp Willey on Wheeling Island for a few days before going to their homes for a 30 day furlough. About 500 men re-enlisted. A reception to honor the regiment was held in Wheeling on February 3. The local newspaper called them "The Heroes of 70 Engagements". The regiment left Wheeling during mid-March, departing on the B&O Railroad. They became part of the 2nd Brigade, Second Cavalry Division, in the Army of West Virginia. They patrolled West Virginia for the next six weeks, but did not see any significant action.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Army of West Virginia
Beginning in May, the regiment was part of the 3rd Brigade, Second Cavalry Division. They participated in General William W. Averell's Raid on the Virginia & Tennessee Railroad, which was a valuable asset for the Confederacy because it enabled transportation of soldiers and supplies between the two states. On May 10, Averell's division (including the regiment) fought in the Battle of Cove Mountain in northern Wythe County, Virginia. Averell was eventually able to destroy 26 bridges and portions of railroad track near Dublin (Newbern on old maps), Virginia. The division returned to its base in West Virginia on May 18.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Army of West Virginia
On May 22, the regiment was fording the Greenbrier River just upriver from a waterfall. Their objective was to eliminate some Confederate sharpshooters that were harassing the cavalry. Colonel Henry Capehart stationed himself between the falls and the crossing. His standard procedure was to position himself down river at crossings, which would enable him to rescue men having trouble crossing the water. He was an expert rider and had a horse that was a good swimmer.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Army of West Virginia
In this circumstance, a private from Company B was swept out of his saddle while attempting to cross a swollen river with a swift current. Not only was the private swept over the falls, but Capehart and his horse were too. Capehart was able to rescue the private while both were being shot at by enemy sharpshooters. On February 12, 1895, Henry Capehart was awarded the Medal of Honor for this action. His citation read "Saved, under fire, the life of a drowning soldier."


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Army of West Virginia, Hunter's Lynchburg Campaign
During early June, various Union forces met in Stanton, Virginia, and were resupplied. After a reorganization on June 9, Averell commanded the Second Cavalry Division, and its 3rd Brigade (1st and 2nd West Virginia Cavalry regiments) was commanded by Colonel William H. Powell. The infantry was led by General George Crook. General David Hunter was the commander of the entire cavalry and infantry force. On June 10, they moved toward Lexington, Virginia as part of a plan to capture Lynchburg. The force arrived in Lexington on June 11, and occupied the town for several days. On June 14, Powell's brigade was sent forward Liberty, and drove away Confederate cavalry. During this time, Confederate reinforcements were arriving at Lynchburg.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Army of West Virginia, Hunter's Lynchburg Campaign
On June 16, the entire Union force left Liberty and approached Lynchburg from the southwest. The Battle of Lynchburg was fought on June 17 and 18. Approximately 44,000 soldiers participated in this Confederate victory. The Union force could not capture Lynchburg, and was forced to retreat toward West Virginia as supplies dwindled. The force reached Charleston on July 1. Losses for Hunter's entire army totaled to 940 men.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Shenandoah Valley
During July, the 1st West Virginia Cavalry left Charleston, West Virginia, for Parkersburg—where they boarded the B&O Railroad with their horses to begin a three-day trip to the other side of the state. Their destination was the rail station at Martinsburg. The regiment was commanded by Henry Capehart, and was part of the 2nd Brigade, Second Cavalry Division, Army of West Virginia. Hunter commanded this army while Averell commanded its Second Cavalry Division. Powell commanded the 2nd Brigade of the Second Division.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Shenandoah Valley, Battle of Rutherford's Farm
The Battle of Rutherford's Farm, also known as the Battle of Carter's Farm, occurred on July 20, about 4 miles (6.4 km) north of Winchester, Virginia. While portions of Hunter's army were still arriving in the Martinsburg area, Hunter sent Averell from Martinsburg toward Winchester to meet a perceived threat to the B&O Railroad from General Jubal Early's Army of the Valley. Averell did not have his entire cavalry force when he started, but had about 1,000 men from the 1st and 3rd West Virginia Cavalry Regiments. He also had another 1,350 infantrymen.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Shenandoah Valley, Battle of Rutherford's Farm
He advanced southwest down the Valley Turnpike, and was attacked by Confederate troops under the command of General Stephen Dodson Ramseur. Although the attack was initially successful, Averell was reinforced by 300 men from the 2nd West Virginia Cavalry who had arrived at Martinsburg after Averell had departed. The unexpected reinforcement led to a Confederate panic, and Averell won the battle. The Confederate loss was about 400 to 450 men, and Averell's men collected 500 rifles from the battlefield. Averell's casualties were about 220.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Shenandoah Valley, Second Battle of Kernstown
After Averell's victory at Rutherford's Farm, he was joined by another cavalry division and infantry. Crook commanded the entire force. Both cavalry divisions sent men on scouts to find Early's army. Crook believed that most of Early's army had left the valley to defend the Confederate capital, Richmond, Virginia. He did not believe the reports of Averell and General Alfred N. Duffié (commander of the First Cavalry Division) that said enemy infantry, artillery, and cavalry were in the area. Crook was mistaken, and both cavalry units made accurate reports.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Shenandoah Valley, Second Battle of Kernstown
On July 24, Averell was ordered to conduct a flanking maneuver near Front Royal to cut off what Crook believed was a small band of Confederates. Averell encountered a much larger enemy force than he was led to expect, and the Second Battle of Kernstown began. As portions of Crook's force began retreating (some in panic) north through Winchester, he finally understood the situation. He organized a more orderly retreat.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Shenandoah Valley, Second Battle of Kernstown
Powell's brigade (including the 1st West Virginia Cavalry) and an infantry brigade led by Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes (future President of the United States) were among the few organized units remaining. They became the rear guard against the pursuing Confederate cavalry. The battle was over by the end of July 25, as all soldiers were soaked in cold rain. Crook retreated north across the Potomac River, and the Confederates reoccupied Martinsburg (in addition to controlling Winchester). The 1st West Virginia Cavalry lost a total of 28 men killed, wounded, missing, or captured.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Shenandoah Valley, Chambersburg and Moorefield
The regiment was part of Averell's cavalry force that pursued Confederate Generals McCausland and Bradley Johnson after the rebels burned the Pennsylvania community of Chambersburg. After multiple skirmishes and Confederate threats to burn more towns, McCausland's two brigades of cavalry were caught in Battle of Moorefield, West Virginia. In a surprise attack at dawn on August 6, 1864, Averell captured over 400 Confederates. In this battle, Powell rode with Henry Capehart and the 1st West Virginia Cavalry.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Shenandoah Valley, Chambersburg and Moorefield
After the 3rd West Virginia Cavalry charged across the South Branch of the Potomac River and met strong resistance from the Confederate 17th Virginia Cavalry, they were reinforced by the 1st West Virginia—and the two regiments overwhelmed the Confederates.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Shenandoah Valley, Chambersburg and Moorefield
Powell's report said "The thanks of the brigade are also due to the First West Virginia Cavalry for the timely support given to the Third West Virginia Cavalry at a time when the enemy seemed conscious of our weakness, and attempted to rally their forces and to repel the advance of our lines, and for its joint operation with the Third Virginia Cavalry, driving the enemy into the mountains for a distance of twelve miles, killing, wounding and capturing many, also capturing one battle-flag and two pieces of artillery." Despite Averell's successes, General Philip H. Sheridan assumed command of all Union troops in the Shenandoah Valley on August 7.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Shenandoah Valley, Battle of Opequon
The Battle of Opequon, also known as the Third Battle of Winchester, began in the morning on September 19, 1864. Some historians consider this the most important battle of the Shenandoah Campaign. Sheridan's Army of the Shenandoah defeated Early's Army of the Valley. Union casualties were about 5,000 out of 40,000 men, while Confederate casualties were about 3,600 out of 12,000 men. Generals and colonels on both sides were killed, including Confederate Colonel George S. Patton Sr.—grandfather of the famous World War II tank commander, General George S. Patton.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Shenandoah Valley, Battle of Opequon
Confederate General Robert E. Rodes was killed, and Confederate cavalry generals Fitzhugh Lee and Bradley Johnson were among the wounded. General David Allen Russell, killed in action, was among the Union casualties. The majority of the Union casualties were in the infantry. Averell's Second Cavalry Division had only 35 casualties, including four from the 1st West Virginia Cavalry.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Shenandoah Valley, Battle of Fisher's Hill
The Battle of Fisher's Hill occurred on September 21–22, 1864. Early's Confederate army was pursued from Winchester to Fisher's Hill, where the rebels had strong fortifications and an advantageous location given the terrain. The 1st West Virginia Cavalry was part of a diversion that enabled Crook's infantry to secretly position itself to the rear of the Confederate line. Crook's surprise attack broke through the Confederate lines, and was the major reason for the Union victory. The 1st West Virginia Cavalry was part of Powell's cavalry brigade that pushed through the gap created by Crook, and chased rebels as they fled south.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Shenandoah Valley, Battle of Fisher's Hill
After the battle, Sheridan pressured his officers to pursue Early's retreating army. Sheridan became impatient with Averell, who he considered too cautious. On September 23, Sheridan replaced Averell with Powell. Henry Capehart was designated commander of Powell's old brigade, and Capehart's brother, Charles, became commander of the 1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment. Powell's Second Cavalry Division pursued Early further south.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Shenandoah Valley, Battle of Cedar Creek
The Battle of Cedar Creek occurred on October 19, 1864. Early's Confederate Army appeared to have a victory until Sheridan rallied his troops to a successful counterattack. Although Union casualties were more than double those of the Confederates, this battle is considered a Union victory, and Confederate troops were driven from the battlefield. The Union troops recaptured all of their artillery lost earlier in the battle, and 22 additional cannons belonging to Early's army. Union cavalry were commanded by General Alfred Torbert. The 1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment remained in the 2nd Brigade of Powell's Second Division. Powell positioned his division near Front Royal to prevent Confederate cavalry under General Lunsford L. Lomax from flanking the Union force. The 1st West Virginia Cavalry had a total of 3 casualties in this battle.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Shenandoah Valley, Nineveh
On November 12, the Second Division again fought Lomax's cavalry. Powell sent most of his 1st Brigade out beyond Front Royal, where it encountered a portion of Lomax's cavalry commanded by McCausland. The Confederates slowly pushed the 1st Brigade back. Powell brought Capehart's 2nd Brigade, including the 1st West Virginia Cavalry, to the front while the 1st Brigade moved to the rear. Capehart's brigade charged, resulting in a short clash that ended with the Confederates retreating as fast as they could. They were chased for 8 miles (12.9 km).


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Shenandoah Valley, Nineveh
Powell captured all of the rebel artillery (two guns), their ammunition train, and took 180 prisoners. Newspaper accounts said McCausland was slightly wounded. Two men from the 1st West Virginia Cavalry were awarded the Medal of Honor for actions in this battle. Private James F. Adams, from Company D, received his medal for "Capture of State flag of 14th Virginia Cavalry (C.S.A.)". The other medal winner was Sergeant Levi Shoemaker from Company A. His citation is "Capture of flag of 22d Virginia Cavalry (C.S.A. )".


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Third Division
Powell resigned from the Union Army on January 5, 1865. His father had died and his mother was seriously ill. Sheridan reorganized his 8,000-man force into two cavalry divisions. General Wesley Merritt was Sheridan's cavalry commander. General Thomas Devin led the First Division, and Custer commanded the Third Division. There was no Second Division. The 1st West Virginia Cavalry became part of the 3rd Brigade, Third Division Cavalry Corps. The brigade consisted of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd West Virginia Cavalry Regiments, and the 1st Regiment New York (Lincoln) Cavalry, and was commanded by Henry Capehart.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Third Division
These four regiments had been most of Averell's force that had a major victory at Moorefield during August 1864. As a brigade, they had also performed extremely well three months later at Nineveh under Powell's command. The brigade became known as Capehart's Fighting Brigade, after its skills were noticed by Sheridan—who called it "the fighting brigade". Both divisions spent about six weeks in winter quarters, where they rested and were given fresh clothing. On February 27, they left Winchester and moved south. Their purpose was to eliminate Early's Army of the Valley.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Third Division, Laurel Brigade
In late February, Early received additional troops which were supposed to enable him to attack instead of flee. The reinforcement was the elite Confederate cavalry known as the Laurel Brigade, and it was under the command of General Thomas L. Rosser. Many of the men in the proud and well–equipped Laurel Brigade had served with Stuart—the Confederacy's most famous cavalry officer. Early added his own cavalry to Rosser's command, and sent them toward Custer's approaching division. Rosser used rails to fill a covered bridge over the middle fork of the Shenandoah River, and this is where he planned to confront Custer.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Third Division, Laurel Brigade
At 2:00 am, on March 1, Capehart's brigade was awakened and told to prepare to move without breakfast or feed for their horses. Their objective was to remove the obstacle of Rosser's cavalry, which would enable the rest of Custer's division to attack Early's army—which was thought to be between Harrisonburg and Staunton. At the covered bridge, Capehart sent a portion of his brigade, dismounted, to attack Rosser. The 1st West Virginia Cavalry was sent upriver where it crossed and then charged down on Rosser. The brigade drove off Rosser's cavalry, capturing 50 men and all of his artillery. Thus Custer, utilizing Capehart's brigade (including the 1st West Virginia Cavalry), defeated one of the Confederacy's best cavalries.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Third Division, Battle of Waynesboro
Sheridan's cavalry encountered the remnants of Early's army at Waynesboro, Virginia, on March 2. Most of Early's army was killed or captured, although Early evaded capture. Custer's division did the fighting. His 1st Brigade dismounted and attacked as infantry, then Capehart's 3rd Brigade, including the 1st West Virginia Cavalry, charged and cut off over half of Early's force—which forced that portion of the rebels to surrender. All of Early's headquarters equipment was captured, as were 11 pieces of artillery. Capehart's brigade chased the fleeing rebels toward Rockfish Gap. A New York newspaper credited the 3rd Brigade with capturing 5 pieces of artillery, 67 wagons of ammunition and food, and 1 battle flag. Early's army was eliminated from the war.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Sheridan leaves the Valley to fight Lee's army
Sheridan's original orders were to destroy the Virginia Central Railroad and then meet with the army of Union General William Tecumseh Sherman in North Carolina. Sheridan reached Charlottesville on March 3, but faced delays caused by muddy roads. On March 5, Sergeant Richard Boury, from Company C, was part of a squadron of the 1st West Virginia Cavalry sent into the mountains to find some rebels that had retreated from Waynesboro. Boury captured a flag and three rebels. He received the Medal of Honor, and the citation described his action as being "at Charlottesville" .


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Sheridan leaves the Valley to fight Lee's army
Rainy weather, swollen rivers, and destroyed bridges persuaded Sheridan to move east toward Richmond instead of moving south across the river to link with Sherman's army in North Carolina. Private Archibald H. Rowand, Jr., of the 1st West Virginia Cavalry's Company K, was one of two men sent with a message from Sheridan to General Ulysses S. Grant (the Union's highest-ranking officer and future president of the United States). His mission meant that he had to get through Confederate lines. To accomplish this feat, Rowand wore a Confederate uniform for much of his journey.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Sheridan leaves the Valley to fight Lee's army
His 48-hour journey covered 145 mi (233.4 km) on horseback and an additional 11 mi (17.7 km) on foot. Near the end of his journey, he was chased by Confederates and had to abandon his horse and swim the Chickahominy River. That started the walking portion of his journey. He was wet, muddy, and was wearing only his underclothing when he crossed into Union lines.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Sheridan leaves the Valley to fight Lee's army
Sheridan's two divisions reached a Union Army base at the river port community of White House, Virginia, on March 18, 1865. At White House, the two divisions were resupplied, and rested for five days. They departed on March 24, and met the Army of the Potomac near Petersburg on March 27. The Army of the Potomac was "the Union's primary army operating in the East." Sheridan's Army of the Shenandoah was still considered separate from the Army of the Potomac, so he received orders directly from Grant. Grant was working on site with Meade and the Army of the Potomac.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Sheridan leaves the Valley to fight Lee's army
Meade had partially surrounded Lee's army at Richmond and Petersburg, but Lee still had a western escape route. Grant ordered Sheridan to proceed to Dinwiddie, Virginia, where it could cut off Lee's escape route. The two divisions were joined by the Second Cavalry Division from the Army of the Potomac, which was led by General Crook. The three cavalry divisions totaled to a force of about 9,000.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Sheridan leaves the Valley to fight Lee's army, Battle of Dinwiddie Court House
Sheridan now had three divisions, and reached Dinwiddie Court House on March 29. While most of his army went into camp at that location, Custer's Third Division (which included the 1st West Virginia Cavalry) guarded the wagon trains further back at Malone's Crossing. On the next day, Devin's First Cavalry Division, and a brigade from Crook's Second Division, were sent north toward Five Forks. Their reconnaissance found a strong enemy infantry force led by General George E. Pickett, and the Union cavalry was driven back.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Sheridan leaves the Valley to fight Lee's army, Battle of Dinwiddie Court House
The Battle of Dinwiddie Court House occurred on March 31, and is considered a Confederate victory. While Sheridan again sent Devin and Crook north, Pickett’s infantry and cavalry led by General Fitzhugh Lee drove back infantry under the command of Union General Gouverneur Kemble Warren, located east of Sheridan's army. Then the attacking Confederate force turned its attention to Sheridan. This forced Sheridan's cavalry to face three enemy divisions: two infantries and one cavalry. As the Union cavalry was driven back toward Dinwiddie Court House, Capehart's 3rd Brigade was recalled from duty guarding the wagon train. They moved near what would soon become the front, an open area in front of Dinwiddie. Capehart's brigade used rails from a fence to quickly build a protective area for fighting while dismounted. The brigade was able to halt the Confederate attack in fighting that continued until after dark.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Sheridan leaves the Valley to fight Lee's army, Battle of Five Forks
The Battle of Five Forks occurred on April 1, 1865. Five Forks is a small community in Dinwiddie County, located between Dinwiddie Court House and Petersburg. Sheridan received reinforcements from the Fifth Corps and a division of cavalry from the Army of the James. The Confederate force was again led by Pickett and Fitzhugh Lee. Both sides advanced and retreated, and soon the opposing forces were fighting in close combat using sabers. At times, the cavalry fought dismounted.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Sheridan leaves the Valley to fight Lee's army, Battle of Five Forks
A portion of Capehart's brigade drove the rebels to the end of the field, only to be partially driven back by a second group of Confederate cavalrymen. After the regiment was reinforced by the rest of Capehart's brigade, the Confederates were driven from the area, and numerous battle flags were captured.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Sheridan leaves the Valley to fight Lee's army, Battle of Five Forks
Lieutenant Wilmon W. Blackmar, from Company H of the 1st West Virginia Cavalry, was awarded the Medal of Honor for extraordinary heroism in this battle. After Capehart's brigade began a charge, Blackmar observed that they were chasing a small detachment of Confederates, and the main body of the Confederates was about to isolate the cavalry from the Union infantry. Blackmar caught up with Capehart and informed him of the situation, and was ordered to reform the brigade in the correct line of battle.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Sheridan leaves the Valley to fight Lee's army, Battle of Five Forks
Blackmar reformed a portion of the brigade and led a charge without waiting for the rest of the brigade. The charging men took prisoners, and captured artillery, wagons, and ambulances. Custer and Capehart promoted Blackmar to captain immediately. Blackmar's Medal of Honor citation says "At a critical stage of the battle, without orders, led a successful advance upon the enemy."


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Sheridan leaves the Valley to fight Lee's army, Battle of Five Forks
Although the battle is considered finished on the day it started, skirmishing continued as Lee's army tried to escape to the west. On April 2, Capehart's brigade attacked the Confederates at Namozine Church. In this confrontation, Henry Capehart's horse was killed, and his clothing was pierced with several shots that did not seriously wound him. On the next day, another brigade from Custer's division attacked, and eventually the Confederates escaped toward Amelia Court House. This inconclusive battle, described as a Confederate rear guard action, became known as the Battle of Namozine Church. Total casualties for both sides are an estimated 75, and Confederate General Rufus Barringer was captured.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Sheridan leaves the Valley to fight Lee's army, Battle of Sailor's Creek
In early April, the Confederate government abandoned Richmond, and Lee's army began moving west. On April 6, Union troops chased Lee's army to an area south of the Appomattox River near Saylor's Creek. The Battle of Sailor's Creek was concentrated in three places, and Sheridan's cavalry fought in the Marshall's Crossroads area. Sergeant Francis M. Cunningham, from Company H of the 1st West Virginia Cavalry, wrote that the battle "was one of the hardest cavalry fights of the war." Custer's cavalry division made numerous charges upon the Confederate lines. Although the charges were successful in capturing artillery and men, casualties were high. Armies on both sides had already suffered numerous casualties in battles at Dinwiddie Court House and Five Forks. In the case of Company H, only four men remained for the final charge.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Sheridan leaves the Valley to fight Lee's army, Battle of Sailor's Creek
As Henry Capehart, commander of Custer's 3rd Brigade, reviewed the Confederate army's position, Custer rode along the lines in plain view of the Confederate infantry, taunting his enemy with captured Confederate battle flags. The Confederates responded by taking numerous shots at the general, hitting his horse. Custer dismounted without injury. Capehart realized that the Confederates would need time to reload their single-shot rifles, and requested permission for his 3rd Brigade to attack immediately. Custer quickly agreed, and Capehart's brigade of about 1,400 cavalry men including the 1st West Virginia Cavalry charged the Confederate lines.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Sheridan leaves the Valley to fight Lee's army, Battle of Sailor's Creek
Capehart's men used sabers, carbines, and revolvers to move through three Confederate infantry lines. A large portion of Ewell's corps became surrounded, causing many of the demoralized Confederate soldiers to surrender. Thus, the Union troops captured more than 20 percent of Lee's army. Approximately 8,000 Confederate soldiers, including eight generals, were killed or captured. Among the surrendering generals was the corps commander Ewell. Another general captured was Custis Lee, eldest son of the commander of the Army of Northern Virginia, Robert E. Lee.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Sheridan leaves the Valley to fight Lee's army, Battle of Sailor's Creek
Upon seeing the battered survivors from his army, Robert E. Lee said "My God, has the army dissolved?" Although many men from General Richard H. Anderson's IV Corps escaped westward, the battle is considered the "death knell" for Lee's Confederate Army. The Battle of Sailor's Creek was the last major battle of the American Civil War.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Sheridan leaves the Valley to fight Lee's army, Battle of Sailor's Creek
Five men from the 1st West Virginia Cavalry were awarded the Medal of Honor for actions in this battle. Captain Hugh P. Boon received his medal for capturing a flag. Boon's Company B was part of a charge when he noticed a battalion of enemy infantry on the right. He led his company away from the original charge, moving toward the infantry. His company routed the Confederate battalion, and Boon captured the flag of the 10th Georgia Infantry.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Sheridan leaves the Valley to fight Lee's army, Battle of Sailor's Creek
Although Boon was worried that he did not exactly follow orders, a superior officer witnessed the affair and acknowledged that the captain took appropriate action. Sergeant Francis M. Cunningham's Medal of Honor citation reads "Capture of battle flag of 12th Virginia Infantry (C.S.A.) in hand-to-hand battle while wounded." Cunningham's horse had been killed, but he found a Confederate mule that leaped a Confederate breastworks when the regiment made a charge. Although Cunningham, who was from Company H, was shot twice (but survived), he captured a Confederate flag using his saber. Custer later recommended Cunningham for the award.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Sheridan leaves the Valley to fight Lee's army, Battle of Sailor's Creek
Commissary Sergeant William Houlton won his medal for the capture of a flag, but the regiment was not identified in the citation. Corporal Emisire Shahan from Company A received his medal for "Capture of flag of 76th Georgia Infantry (C.S.A.)". The citation for Medal of Honor winner Private Daniel A. Woods, who was from Company K, says "Capture of flag of 18th Florida Infantry (C.S.A. )".


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Sheridan leaves the Valley to fight Lee's army, Battle of Appomattox Station
On April 8, Lee's Army of Northern Virginia continued to flee westward. Two Union army corps were following. Additional Union troops, including Sheridan's cavalry, were further west. Sheridan hoped to block Lee's retreat. His advance force was Custer's Third Division. Custer captured Confederate supply trains and removed a few pieces of track to prevent the trains from going back to Lynchburg. However, Custer was then repelled by Confederate artillery. After two more attacks using single brigades were ineffective, Custer made a rare night attack using his entire division. Strong moonlight reduced the risk of getting lost or misidentifying friendly and enemy soldiers, and the night attack was successful. Custer's division captured 24 to 30 artillery pieces, 1,000 prisoners, and 150 to 200 wagons.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Sheridan leaves the Valley to fight Lee's army, Battle of Appomattox Station
Two men from the 1st West Virginia Cavalry were awarded the Medal of Honor for actions in this battle. Corporal Thomas Anderson, from Company I, received his medal for capturing a Confederate flag. The flag has been, at times, displayed in Lee Chapel and Museum of Washington and Lee University. Charles Schorn, Chief Bugler from Company M, also received the Medal of Honor for actions in this battle after he captured the flag of the Sumter Flying Artillery. This flag, which had been carried by the Sumpter Flying Artillery since 1861, was captured in Custer's final nighttime charge.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Sheridan leaves the Valley to fight Lee's army, Battle of Appomattox Courthouse
On April 9, Lee's Army of Northern Virginia continued to flee westward. Infantry led by Generals John Brown Gordon and James Longstreet, and cavalry led by Fitzhugh Lee formed a battle line near the Appomattox Court House. This was their last chance to escape to Lynchburg, as Union troops were attempting to surround them. The 1st West Virginia Cavalry's participation in this "battle" was mostly preparing to attack—but no full-fledged charges were made.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, Sheridan leaves the Valley to fight Lee's army, Battle of Appomattox Courthouse
A Confederate officer approached Capehart's 3rd Brigade on horseback under a flag of truce. Capehart and the officer rode down the column to Custer, where the officer told the general that Lee and Grant were in correspondence concerning a surrender of Lee's Army. Shortly after his meeting with Longstreet's representative, Custer turned command of the division over to Henry Capehart and rode off to see Sheridan. On that day, Robert E. Lee unconditionally surrendered his starving Army of Northern Virginia to Grant. The surrender look place at the home of Wilmer and Virginia McLean in the small community of Appomattox Court House, Virginia.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, War's end
The 1st West Virginia Volunteer Cavalry remained in battle line until the evening of April 9, and then went into camp. On the next day, they marched toward Burkesville Junction, arriving on April 12. After resting for the night, they marched to Nottoway Court House, and received new clothing. The cavalry reached Petersburg, Virginia, by April 18, and camped outside the city. On the same day, Custer sent a recommendation to Secretary of War Stanton that Colonel Henry Capehart be promoted to Brigadier General, retroactive to March 1. On April 24, the division started a march to North Carolina to join Sherman's army confronting the Confederate army of General Joseph E. Johnston. However, on April 28, they became aware that Johnston had surrendered. On the next day, the division began its return north.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, War's end, Grand Review of the armies
The Grand Review of the Armies began on May 23, 1865, as a Union celebration of the end of the Civil War. Union troops paraded down Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, DC. The parade was led by Custer's Third Division, which was led by Capehart's brigade. The New York Times described men in Custer's division as "being decorated with a scarf or tie, known as the Custer Tie, red in color ..."  It also said "Capehart's brigade of West Virginia Veterans, as trusty a body as ever drew a sabre, are singled out for their fine appearance ..."


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, War's end, Final muster out
In early June 1865, the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd West Virginia Cavalries were ordered to proceed to Wheeling, West Virginia, to muster out. On June 17, the men and their horses were loaded onto a B&O Railroad train where they departed for Wheeling. The three regiments camped on Wheeling Island between Wheeling and Belmont County, Ohio. They were officially mustered out on July 8, 1865. While Crook and Custer would continue service with the federal cavalry in the western United States, the 1st West Virginia Volunteer Cavalry Regiment ceased to exist.


1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, War's end, Final muster out
During the war, the regiment had 10 officers and 71 enlisted men killed. An additional 126 men died from disease. At the end of the war, the regiment was part of the highly regarded Capehart's Fighting Brigade, and was one of the most active, and most effective, of the West Virginia regiments. Fourteen men received the Medal of Honor, the most for any West Virginia regiment.


1st West Virginia Infantry Regiment (3 Month)
The 1st West Virginia Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. During its period of service, the regiment was known as the 1st Virginia Volunteer Infantry Regiment, but often referred to with, "Union," "Loyal" or "West" in front to distinguish it from Virginia regiments. It was the first regiment mustered into service on southern soil after Lincoln's call for 75,000 troops. It was formed three days before the Wheeling Convention, which was assembled to decide western Virginia's response if Virginia seceded from the Union.


1st West Virginia Infantry Regiment (3 Month), Service
The first incarnation of the 1st West Virginia Infantry Regiment (known as the 1st Virginia at the time) was organized at Wheeling, Virginia, in May, 1861 from volunteer companies from Hancock, Brooke, Ohio, and Marshall counties (the Northern Panhandle of the state). These companies had been formed by pro-Union citizens of these counties in April 1861, after the Commonwealth of Virginia voted to secede from the Union, in order to resist  Confederate incursions from the eastern portions of the state.


1st West Virginia Infantry Regiment (3 Month), Service
The Regiment was mustered into United States service by companies for a period of three months (the first company, Company A, was mustered into service on May 10, while the final company, Company K, was mustered on May 23). Company A (from the Fourth Ward of Wheeling) had actually been organized, as the Rough and Ready Guards, on April 18, 1861, the day after the state convention voted for secession.


1st West Virginia Infantry Regiment (3 Month), Service
Under the command of Colonel Benjamin Franklin Kelley and the 1st Virginia traveled from Wheeling by train on May 27 to near Mannington to secure a bridge on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, which had been destroyed by the rebels. After remaining there two days, the regiment advanced again, seizing the important railroad junction of Grafton on May 30 from a body of Virginia state militia under command of Confederate Col. George A. Porterfield. On June 1, Isaac Duval took command as  Major of the regiment.


1st West Virginia Infantry Regiment (3 Month), Service
Porterfield's troops retreated to Philippi where, on June 3, they were defeated by a Union force which included the 1st Virginia Infantry. The Battle of Philippi was the first land battle of the Civil War. During the battle, Col. Kelley was seriously wounded. The Regiment remained on duty at Rowlesburg, Grafton, and Philippi until July.


1st West Virginia Infantry Regiment (3 Month), Service
During the remainder of their three months service, the regiment was separated. A detachment of five companies served with Major General George B. McClellan in the Rich Mountain campaign. Another detachment was with Col. Erastus B. Tyler in a campaign against Confederate Brigadier General Henry A. Wise, who at that time had attempted an invasion of western Virginia. The remainder of the regiment guarded the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. On August 19, they returned to Wheeling where the 3-months regiment was mustered out of Federal service on August 27, 1861.


1st West Virginia Infantry Regiment (3 Month), Casualties
The 1st West Virginia Volunteer Infantry Regiment suffered no fatalities in battle during its enlistment. However, a member of Company G was killed in camp on May 29, 1861, from the accidental discharge of a gun.


1st West Virginia Infantry Regiment (3 Year)
The 1st West Virginia Infantry Regiment was a three-year infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.


1st West Virginia Infantry Regiment (3 Year), Service record
The second incarnation of the 1st West Virginia Volunteer Infantry Regiment was mustered in for three year's service on October 30 at Wheeling, Virginia. It was known as the 1st Virginia until West Virginia became a state. Among the more notable members was the chaplain, James McCook, a member of the famed Fighting McCooks. An analysis of the regiment by the George Tyler Moore Center in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, shows that it was composed of 39% native West Virginians, while 23% were from Ohio, 18% Pennsylvania, 11% were immigrants and 8% were from other U.S. states.


1st West Virginia Infantry Regiment (3 Year), Service record
Following the expiration of the original three-year term of enlistment, veterans of the regiment who chose to re-enlist were amalgamated with the 5th West Virginia Volunteer Infantry Regiment on October 10, 1864, to form the 2nd West Virginia Veteran Volunteer Infantry Regiment.


1st West Virginia Infantry Regiment (3 Year), Casualties
The 1st West Virginia suffered 3 officers and 51 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded in battle and 2 officers and 136 enlisted men dead from disease for a total of 192 fatalities.


1st West Virginia Veteran Infantry Regiment
The 1st West Virginia Veteran Volunteer Infantry Regiment  was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the last year of the American Civil War. It consisted primarily of veterans of older regiments whose terms of enlistment had expired.


1st West Virginia Veteran Infantry Regiment, Service
The 1st West Virginia Veteran Volunteer Infantry Regiment was mustered into Federal service on November 9, 1864, composed of re-enlisting veterans from the 5th and the 9th West Virginia Volunteer Infantry Regiments


1st West Virginia Veteran Infantry Regiment, Service
The regiment was mustered out of Federal service on July 21, 1865.


1st White Cloth Hall
The 1st White Cloth Hall is a Grade II* listed building on Kirkgate, in the city centre of Leeds in West Yorkshire, England.


1st White Cloth Hall, History
Originally named The White Cloth Hall, it was opened in 1711 as a response to the building of a covered cloth hall by the merchants of Wakefield in 1710, built in order to entice traders away from Leeds. So the cloth hall for the sale of white (undyed) cloth was built on Kirkgate on a site provided by Lord Irvine of Temple Newsam with £1,000 given by merchants and tradesmen. It was 'built upon Pillars and Arches in the form of an Exchange, with a Quadrangular Court within'.


1st White Cloth Hall, Present
Despite its importance to the industrial heritage of Leeds and to the industrial revolution in general, the first White Cloth Hall in Kirkgate has stood growing increasingly derelict for many years surrounded by scaffolding and safety hoardings. The Amusement Arcade in its eastern wing still operates but the rest of the building is getting close to state of collapse and is a health and safety hazard.


1st White Cloth Hall, Present
A series of meetings with the City Council Planning Officers, the building owner Emco, and English Heritage, concluded that the western and southern sections of the building must be demolished.


1st White Cloth Hall, Present
In March 2018, Leeds City Council granted Rushbond Group permission to restore the building. Rushbond Group are local property developers who bought the building over a year earlier. Work started in March 2019.


1st White Cloth Hall, Present
In 2019 Historic England commissioned dendrochronological (tree-ring) analysis on ex situ samples from 19 oak and one conifer timbers from the former west range of First White Cloth Hall. This analysis dated the timber as growing during the years AD 1366–1476, with the trees felled in the summer of AD 1476, with a likelihood that the timbers were part of a specific programme of felling and construction from a single woodland source relatively local to West Yorkshire. This date is earlier than had been expected based on the opening of First White Cloth Hall in the early eighteenth century.


1st Wildflower Film Awards
The 1st Wildflower Film Awards (Korean: 들꽃영화상) is an awards ceremony recognizing the achievements of Korean independent and low-budget films. It was held at the Literature House in Seoul on April 1, 2014, following five days of screenings at CGV Apgujeong Movie Collage in Seoul. Eligible films included some 60 features with budgets under ₩1 billion (US$900,000) and 20 documentaries that received a theatrical release in Korea in the calendar year 2013.


1st Wing (Belgium)
The 1st Wing is a wing in the Air Component of the Belgian Armed Forces, located at Beauvechain Air Base.


1st Wing (Belgium), Training Wing
The 1st Fighter Wing (All Weather) was disbanded in 1996, with 349 Squadron and the Operational Conversion Unit moving to Kleine Brogel Air Base. 350 Squadron moved to Florennes Air Base. Later that year, all Belgian Air Force Training Squadrons moved to Beauvechain, creating 1st Wing. This unit was responsible for the education and training of the pilots of the Belgian Air Component and comprised the 5th Squadron, which operated the SIAI Marchetti SF260, the 7th Squadron and 11th Squadron, which operated the Alpha Jet. The 7th Squadron used to operate the Fouga Magister as well.


1st Wing (Belgium), Training Wing
Instructors of the 9th Squadron, also known as "Training and Evaluation Centre" (TEC), flew on the SF260 as well as the Alpha Jet. In 2005, 11th Squadron and the Alpha Jets moved to Cazaux in France, to participate in the Advanced Jet Training School (AJeTS). The Fouga Magister was retired from service in September 2007, and 7th Squadron moved to Tours in France. The 1st Wing then consisted of 5th Squadron and 9th Squadron, both operating the SF260.


1st Wing (Belgium), Helicopter Wing
On September 9, 2010, the A109 helicopters of the Wing Heli moved from Bierset to Beauvechain. The former Training Squadrons (5th and 9th) became the Basic Flying Training School, still located at Beauvechain. Wing Heli was disbanded, and 1st Wing became a helicopter wing, consisting of 15th (Operational Conversion and Training Unit), 17th and 18th Squadrons. 17th Squadron still operates the A109BA helicopter, while 18th Squadron started flying the NH90 as of October 2013.


1st Wisconsin Cavalry Regiment
The 1st Wisconsin Cavalry Regiment was a cavalry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.


1st Wisconsin Cavalry Regiment, Service
The 1st Wisconsin Cavalry was organized at Ripon and Kenosha, Wisconsin, between September 1, 1861, and February 2, 1862, and mustered into Federal service on March 10, 1862.


1st Wisconsin Cavalry Regiment, Service
The regiment participated in the capture of Confederate President Jefferson Davis on May 10, 1865.


1st Wisconsin Cavalry Regiment, Service
The regiment was mustered out at Edgefield, Tennessee, on July 19, 1865.


1st Wisconsin Cavalry Regiment, Total strength and casualties
The 1st Wisconsin Cavalry initially recruited 1,124 officers and men. An additional 1,417 men were recruited as replacements, for a total of 2,541 men.


1st Wisconsin Cavalry Regiment, Total strength and casualties
The regiment suffered 6 officers and 67 enlisted men killed or died from wounds in action, and 7 officers and 321 enlisted men who died of disease, for a total of 401 fatalities.


1st Wisconsin Cavalry Regiment, References
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1st Wisconsin Heavy Artillery Regiment
The 1st Regiment Wisconsin Heavy Artillery was an artillery regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.


1st Wisconsin Heavy Artillery Regiment, Service
The 1st Wisconsin Heavy Artillery was originally organized by companies over a considerable period of time and did not serve together as a complete regiment.


1st Wisconsin Heavy Artillery Regiment, Service
Batteries "E" to "M" were mustered out on June 26, 1865.


1st Wisconsin Heavy Artillery Regiment, Total strength and casualties
The 1st Wisconsin Heavy Artillery initially recruited 1,777 officers and men. An additional 386 men were recruited as replacements, for a total of 2,163 men.


1st Wisconsin Heavy Artillery Regiment, Total strength and casualties
The regiment suffered 4 enlisted men killed or died from wounds in action, and 2 officers and 77 enlisted men who died of disease, for a total of 83 fatalities.


1st Wisconsin Infantry Regiment (1898)
The 1st Wisconsin Infantry Regiment, reconstituted in 1898, was as an infantry regiment that served in the United States Army during the Spanish–American War. The regiment served out its term of service within the continental United States, and did not see action during the war.


1st Wisconsin Infantry Regiment (1898), Service
The 1st Wisconsin was mustered into service on May 14, 1898, at Camp Harvey in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with a strength of fifty officers and 976 enlisted men.


1st Wisconsin Infantry Regiment (1898), Service
The regiment moved to Camp Cuba Libre in Jacksonville, Florida, and was assigned to the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division of the 7th Army Corps commanded by Fitzhugh Lee. The corps was being trained for an intended assault on Havana, Cuba, when an armistice ended the fighting on August 12, 1898, though the war would officially continue until the signing of the Treaty of Paris on December 10, 1898.


1st Wisconsin Infantry Regiment (1898), Service
The 1st Wisconsin was mustered out of service on October 19, 1898, in Wisconsin. At the time of mustering out, the unit consisted of forty-nine officers and 1,224 enlisted men. The 1st Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry is perpetuated by both the 127th Infantry Regiment and the 128th Infantry Regiment.


1st Wisconsin Infantry Regiment (1898), Casualties
The 1st Wisconsin suffered 40 enlisted men who died of disease, plus 8 additional men who were discharged for disability or other causes.


1st Wisconsin Infantry Regiment (3 Months)
The 1st Wisconsin Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment that served a three-month enlistment in the Union Army during the first months of the American Civil War. The regiment was later re-established as a three-year enlistment.


1st Wisconsin Infantry Regiment (3 Months), Service
The original 1st Regiment Wisconsin was raised at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on April 16, 1861, and mustered into Federal service May 17, 1861. The regiment was moved to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on June 9. It was assigned to Abercrombie's 6th Brigade of Negley's 2nd Division, Patterson's Army. It spent its service guarding the upper Potomac River crossings. Its only engagement was at Falling Waters on July 2.


1st Wisconsin Infantry Regiment (3 Months), Total enlistments and casualties
The 1st Wisconsin Infantry initially mustered 810 men and added no recruits. It lost 2 men killed in action or mortally wounded, and one killed accidentally for a total of three fatalities, a death rate of 0.37 percent. One of the fatalities was Second Sergeant of Company B, Warren M Graham, 18 years old, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.


1st Wisconsin Infantry Regiment (3 Years)
The 1st Wisconsin Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment that served a three-year enlistment in the Union Army during the American Civil War.