Shortly after the secession of North Carolina, the state legislature authorized the organization of ten regiments to be enlisted for three years or for the duration of the war.

Eight of these regiments were to be infantry, one cavalry, and one artillery. The ninth regiment formed by this act of the legislature was designated the ninth Regiment, North Carolina State Troops (cavalry). Recruiting began in mid-May 1861 and all ten companies were filled by early June 1861. Organized at Camp Beauregard, Ridgeway, Warren County, NC, on August 12, 1861. The regiment was mustered into Confederate States service while at Richmond, VA and was recognized by Confederate States authorities as the 1st Regiment North Carolina Cavalry on OCTOBER 12, 1861. The 1st North Carolina Cavalry Regiment's organization is noted below.

The ten companies were identified as follows:

"A" Jefferson, Ashe County, 23 April 1861
"B" Rich Square, Northhampton County, 12 June 1861
"C" Mecklenburg Rangers, Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, 25 May 1861
"D" Watauga Rangers, Boone, Watauga County, 11 May 1861
"E" Warrenton, Warrenton County, June 1861
"F" Cabarrus Rangers, Concord Cabarrus County, 15 June 1861
"G" Buncombe Rangers, Ashville, Buncombe County, 20 May 1861
"H" Goldsboro, Wayne County, 20 June 1861
"I" Kenansville, Duplin County, 17 June 1861
"K" Nantahala Rangers, Franklin, Macon County, 13 June 1861

Regimental Staff:

Colonel Robert Ransom Jr.
Lieutenant Colonel Lawrence S. Baker
Major James B. Gordon
Major Victor C. Barringer
Adjutant J.L. Henry
Quartermaster R.J. Shaw
Commissary M.D.L. McLeod
Sergeant Major R.T. Fulghuer
Surgeon Dr. D.W.S. Hilliard
Surgeon Dr. Chas. J. O'Hagan

Company A

Captain E.N. (or T.N.) Crumpler
1st Lieut. W.H.H. Cowles
2nd Lieut. D.S.R. Smith
2nd Lieut. John S. Forrester
70 men from Ashe County

Company B

Captain J.H. Whitaker
1st Lieut. A.B. Andrews
2nd Lieut. W.R. Williams
2nd Lieut. J.W. Price
89 men from Northampton Cty

Company C

Captain J.M. Miller
1st Lieut. M.D.L. McLeod
2nd Lieut. R.H. Maxwell
2nd Lieut. J.L. Morrow
67 men from Mechlinburg County

Company D

Captain G.N. Folk (Polk)
1st Lieut. S.P. Caldwell
2nd Lieut. J.W. Council
2nd Lieut. J.C. Blair
70 men from Watauga Cty

Company E

Captain W.H. Cheek
1st Lieut. R.J. Shaw
2nd Lieut. J.H.W. Person
77 men from Warren County

Company F

Captain Rufus Barringer
1st Lieut. J.A. Fisher
2nd Lieut. J.L. Grier
2nd Lieut. N.P. Foard
98 men from Cabarrus Cty

Company G

Captain Wm. R. Wood
1st Lieut. J.L. Henry
2nd Lieut. Wm. E. Broduax
2nd Lieut. Jms. Gaine
85 men from Buncombe County

Company H

Captain Hon. Thomas Ruffin
1st Lieut. Thomas L. Vail
2nd Lieut. J.H. Bryan
2nd Lieut. F. Kornegay
95 men from Wayne Cty

Company I

Captain Wm. J. Houston
1st Lieut. W.A. Barrier
2nd Lieut. Kerr Craige
71 men from Duplin County

Company K

Captain T.P. Silar
1st Lieut. W.M. Addington
2nd Lieut. W.H. Roane
2nd Lieut. B.P. Elles
68 men from Macon County

The officers represented the best character and military skill of the State - one being an ex-member of Congress. Five of them, Crumpler, Ruffin, Andrews, Houston, and Whitaker, fell in battle. The latter two fell during the ten days of incessant attacks by Union General Pleasanton at Aldie, Middleburg, Upperville and Fairfax. Actions that occurred a few days after the Cavalry Battle of Brandy Station, June 9, 1863. At Jack's Shop, on Sept. 22, 1863, the gallant Captain A.B. Andrews fell while cheering his men on, shot through the lungs. Standing near each other, Captain Andrews was caught as he fell, by then Captain Rufus Barringer.

During the brief history/life of the 1st North Carolina Cavalry Regiment the following officers were promoted:

FIRST COMMANDER:

Colonel Robert Ransom, Jr.: West Point Graduate, promoted to Brigadier and later Major General - Transferred.

FIELD OFFICERS:

• Lt. Colonel Laurence S. Baker: West Point Graduate, promoted to Colonel, and later Brigadier General. Severely wounded in the arm (the arm bones had been shattered) on July 31, 1863 while repulsing a Federal sortie across the Rappahannock River. This wound ended his career as a Cavalryman. Assigned to command the Military District of North Carolina.
• Colonel Thomas Ruffin: Captain, promoted to Major, Lieut. Colonel, Colonel. On the 13th of October, 1863, at the Battle of Auburn, the gallant Colonel Ruffin fell mortally wounded at the first fire of musketry while charging a line of infantry. He was at the head of the 1st North Carolina Cavalry Regiment, leading the charge, sabers drawn.
• Major James B. Gordon: Promoted to Lt. Colonel, then Colonel, and later Brigadier General. Severely wounded near Brook Church, just outside of Richmond. A bullet struck his arm and exited his elbow. The wound was not mortal but erysipelas set in and ravaged the wounded general. Gordon died from his wound, May 18, 1864. His loss cost the North Carolina Cavalry Brigade its fighting edge. "The Esprit de Corps was gone".
• Captain Rufus Barringer: Promoted to Major, Lieut. Colonel, Colonel and later Brigadier General. Severely wounded at the Cavalry Battle of Brandy Station. Returned to fight again. Led the Brigade after Gordon's death. Captured at Namozine Church, only a few days before Appomatox.
• Captain William H. Cheek: Later promoted to Major, Lieut. Colonel, then Colonel. Severely wounded near Yellow Tavern, 9th of May, 1864. Returned to fight again. After Barringer's capture, the command devolved upon Colonel Cheek but two days afterwards he also fell into enemy hands.
• 1st Lt. William H.H. Cowles: Promoted to Captain, then to Major, Lieut. Colonel, and later Colonel of the "Fighting 1st" on the 6th of June, 1864. March, 31, 1865, shot in the head while leading a desperate assault on the right of the enemy near Petersburg. Thought killed, was left unconscious to fall into the hands of the enemy. Survived the war.
• Captain Thomas N. Crumpler: Promoted to Major. Fell in battle.
• Adjutant George Dewey: Promoted to Captain, H Company, then to Major.
• 1st Lt. Marcus L. McLeod: Promoted up to the rank of Major
• Captain John H. Whitaker: Promoted to Major. Fell in battle.
• 1ST Lt. A.B. Andrews: Promoted to Captain. Fell in battle.
• 2nd Lt. N.P. Foard: Promoted to Captain.
• 1st Lt. W.M. Addington: Promoted to Captain.

THE 1ST NORTH CAROLINA CAVALRY REGIMENT'S ASSIGNMENTS:

• Cavalry Brigade, Potomac District, Department of Northern Virginia. October 1861-March 1862
• Ransom's Brigade, Department of North Carolina. April-May 1861.
• Cavalry Brigade, Army of Northern Virginia (ANV). June-July 1862
• Ransom's Brigade, Department of North Carolina, Companies A and B. May-August 1862
• Hampton's-Baker's Brigade, Cavalry Division, ANV. July-September 1862.
• Gordan's Brigade, Hampton's Division, Stuart's Cavalry Corps, ANV.  Established on Sept 9, 1863.  The first ever North Carolina Brigade consisting of the 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th North Carolina Cavalry Regiments.
• Barringer's Brigade, W.H.F. Lee's Division, Hampton's Cavalry Corps. May 1864-April 1865.

ALL OF THE CAVALRY ORGANIZATIONS FROM NORTH CAROLINA

9th Regiment N.C. Troops (1st Regiment N.C. Cavalry) 10 Companies
19th Regiment N.C. Troops (2nd Regiment N.C. Cavalry) 10 Companies
41st Regiment N.C. Troops (3rd Regiment N.C. Cavalry) 10 Companies
4th Battalion N.C. Cavalry (absorbed into 7th N.C. Cavalry) 4 Companies
59th Regiment N.C. Troops (4th Regiment N.C. Cavalry) 10 Companies
5th Battalion N.C. Cavalry 4 Companies
63rd Regiment N.C. Troops (5th Regiment N.C. Cavalry) 10 Companies
65th Regiment N.C. Troops (6th Regiment N.C. Cavalry) 10 Companies
7th Battalion N.C. Cavalry 7 Companies
69th Regiment N.C. Troops (7th Regiment N.C. Cavalry) 10 Companies
8th Battalion N.C. Partisan Rangers 6 Companies
12th Battalion N.C. Cavalry 3 Companies
15th Battalion N.C. Cavalry 2 Companies
16th Battalion N.C. Cavalry 9 Companies
McRae's Battalion N.C. Cavalry 5 Companies
Captain Howard's Company N.C. Cavalry 1 Company
Captain Spencer's Independent Company N.C. Cavalry 1 Company
Captain Swindell's Company N.C. Partisan Rangers 1 Company

The 1st North Carolina did not participate in Stuart's ride around the Union Army in mid-June and saw only limited action during the Seven Days Campaign. The Regiment did take part in the campaigns of Second Manassas and Sharpsburg. Significant cavalry clashes included the battle at Brandy Station on June 9, 1863. In that hotly contested engagement, the Regiment made a dismounted charge upon Union infantry and undertook two mounted charges upon Union cavalry. It was Captain Cowles who led the charge that drove the 10th N.Y. Cavalry out of line and to the rear , routing them, capturing its flag and over 130 troopers. Twelve days later, on June 21, at Upperville, Virginia, Hampton's brigade engaged the Union brigade of Kilpatrick. The opponents crashed into each other in and around the village in a chaotic struggle marked by hand-to-hand combat. Colonel Laurence Baker's (Regimental commander at the time) 1st North Carolinians were in the midst of the fury and fought well. At Gettysburg, on July 3, Hampton's brigade once again bore a crucial role. During the infamous cavalry engagement east of the main battlefield (near Hunterstown), the 1st North Carolina and the Jeff Davis Legion broke through the Federal ranks and pursued. Encountering Union reserves, the two forces fought hand-to-hand. Hampton received a head wound (claimed by Captain Hampton S. Thomas of the 1st Pennsylvania Cavalry, who cut his way through the Confederate column to confront Hampton) and Baker, as senior colonel, took command of the brigade and extricated it, leaving Lt. Colonel Gordon in charge of the 1st North Carolina Cavalry Regiment. A few months later, on October 18, 1863, Brigadier General Gordon and the 1st North Carolina Regiment played a major role in the "Buckland Races", near Buckland's Mills, VA.

The Regiment participated in more than 160 various types of combat (engagements, skirmishes, actions, sieges, operations, battles and campaigns). Some are noted below:

Skirmish, Hunter's Mills, VA (November 10, 1861)
Skirmish, Hunter's Mill, VA (November 26, 1861)
Skirmish, Vienna (detachments of 29 men each from Companies B, D, E, G, H, and K) (November 26, 1861)
Dranesville, (detachment) (December 20, 1861)
Skirmish, Fairfax Court House, VA (Feb. 7, 1862)
Skirmish, Pollacksville, N.C. (detachment) May 15 -16, 1862
Seven Days Campaign, VA (June 25-July 1, 1862)
Skirmish, Bottoms's Bridge, VA (June 28-29, 1862)
Willis Church, (June 29, 1862)
Engagement, Turkey Bridge (Malvern Cliff), VA (June 30, 1862)
Skirmish, White Oak Church, VA (July 1, 1862)
Skirmish, Malvern Hill, VA (July 1, 1862)
Skirmish, Harrison's Landing, VA (July 4, 1862)
Skirmish, Harrison's Landing, VA (July 8, 1862)
Action against gunboats near Williamston, James River, VA (July 9, 1862)
Reconnaissance from Harrison's Landing & the U.S.Reoccupation of Malvern Hill, (August 2-8, 1862)
Skirmish, Malvern Hill, (August 5, 1862)
Action, Thornburg (Massaponnax Church), VA (detachment) (Aug. 5-6, 1862)
White Oak Swamp Bridge, (August 5, 1862)

Maryland Campaign (Sept.3-19, 1862)

Skirmish, Poolesville, Md. (Sept.7-8, 1862)
Skirmish, Middletown, Md. (Sept. 10, 1862)
Action, Frederick, Md. (Sept. 12, 1862)
Skirmish, Catoctin Mountain, Md. (September 13, 1862)
Seige, Harper's Ferry, W. VA (Sept. 13-15, 1862)
Battle, Antietam/Sharpsburg, Md. (Sept. 16-17, 1862
Skirmish, Buckettsville, Md. (Sept. 18, 1862)
Skirmish, Pleasant Valley, Md. (Sept. 18, 1862)
Skirmish, Williamsport, Md. (Sept. 19-20, 1862)
Skirmish, Shepherdstown, W. VA. (Oct. 1, 1862)
Action, Martinsburg, W. VA. (Oct. 1, 1862)
Stuart's 2nd Ride/Raid Around McClellan into Pennsylvania and Maryland, (detachment) (Oct. 8-12, 1862)
Action, Chambersburg, PA (detachment) (Oct. 10, 1862)
Skirmish, Mouth of the Monocacy River, Md. (detachment) (Oct. 12, 1862)
Skirmish, White's Ford, Md. (detachment) (Oct. 12, 1862)
Operations in Loudon, Faquier, and Rappahannock counties, VA. (Oct. 26-Nov. 10, 1862)
Affair opposite Williamsport, Md. (Company A) (Oct. 29, 1862)
Action, Barbee's Crossroads, (November 5, 1862)
Little Washington, (November 8, 1862)
Gaines' Crossroads, (November 10, 1862)
Amissville, (November 10, 1862)
Picket Affair, near Hartwood Church, (detachment) (November 28, 1862)
Skirmish, Dumfries, (detachment) (December 12, 1862)
Battle, Fredericksburg, VA (December 12-15, 1862)
Skirmish, Occoquan Bridge, (December 19, 1862)
Raid on Dumbries & Fairfax Station, (December 27-29, 1862)
Operations at Rappahannock Bridge and Grove Church, VA (Fe. 5-7, 1863)
Engagement, Kelly's Ford, VA (March 17, 1863)
Skirmish, Bealeton Station, VA (March 17, 1863)

Gettysburg Campaign (June 3-Aug.1, 1863)

Cavalry Battle at Brandy Station/Fleetwood/Beverly Ford, VA (June 9, 1863)
Action, Aldie, VA (June 17, 1863)
Engagement, Upperville, VA (June 21, 1863)
Skirmish, Fairfax Court House/Station, VA (June 27, 1863)
Skirmish, Rockville, Md. (June 28, 1863)
Action, Hanover, PA (June 30, 1863)
Action, Carlisle, PA (July 1, 1863)
Battle of Gettysburg, PA (July 1-3, 1863)
Cavalry Battle at Hunterstown, PA (July 3, 1863)
Action, Monterey Gap, PA (July 4, 1863)
Skirmish, Fairfield, PA (July 4-5, 1863)
Skirmish, Hagerstown, MD (July 6, 1863)
Action, Williamsport, MD (July 6, 1863)
Skirmish, Nevevola (Beaver Church), MD (July 9, 1863)
Skirmish near Harper's Ferry, W. VA (July 14, 1863)
Action, Shepherdstown, W. VA (July 15, 1863)
Mountain Run, (August 7, 1863)
Action, Culpeper Court House, VA (Sept. 13, 1863)
Action, Raccoon Ford/Rapidan Station, (September 14, 1863)
Skirmish, Jack's Shop, Madison Court House, VA (Sept. 22, 1863)
Skirmishes, James City, VA (Oct. 8-10, 1863)

Bristoe Campaign (Oct. 9-22, 1863)

Action, Warrenton/White Sulphir Springs, VA (Oct. 12, 1863)
Action, Auburn Mills, (Oct. 13, 1863)
Skirmish, Brentsville, VA (Oct. 14, 1863)
Engagement, Auburn, Auburn Miulls, Auburn Ford, VA (Oct. 14, 1863)
Skirmish, Manassas Junction, (Oct. 15, 1863)
Skirmish, Oak Hill, Va (Oct. 15, 1863)
Skirmish, Blackburn's Ford, Bull Run, VA (Oct. 15, 1863)
Action, Buckland's Mills (the Buckland Races), VA (Oct. 19, 1863)
Skirmish, Haymarket, VA (Oct. 18, 1863)
Operations against the Advance to the line of the Rappahannock River, VA (Nov. 7-8,1863)
Engagement, Kelly's Ford, VA (Nov. 7, 1863)
Action, Brandy Station, VA (Nov. 8, 18963)

Mine Run Campaign (Nov. 26-Dec. 2, 1864)

Skirmishes, Raccoon Ford, VA (Nov. 26-27, 1863)
Engagement, Payne's Farm, VA (Nov. 27, 1863)
Operations against the Demonstration on the Rapidan, VA (Feb 6-7, 1864)
Engagement, Morton's Ford, VA (Feb.6-7, 1864)
Operations against Kilpatrick-Dahlgren Raid from Stevensburg to Richmond, Va (Feb. 28-Mar. 4, 1864)
Engagement, Fortifications of Richmond, Brooks Turnpike, Richmond, VA
Skirmish, Hanover Junction, VA (March 1, 1864)
Skirmish, Ashland, VA (March 1, 1864)
Skirmish near Tunstall Station, VA (detachment) (March 3, 1864)

Wilderness Campaign (May 1-June 12, 1864)

Engagement, Todd's Tavern, VA (May 5-6, 1864)
Battle, Wilderness, VA (May 5-7, 1864)
Combat, The Furnaces, VA (May 6, 1864)
Combat, Alsop's Farm, Spottsylvania, VA (May 8, 1864)

Operations against Sheridan's Expedition from Todd's Tavern to the James River, VA (May 9-24,1864)
Skirmish, Piney Branch Ford, Va (May 9, 1864)
Engagement, North Anna River, VA (May 9, 1864)
Action, Davenport Ford, VA (May 9, 1864)
Skirmish, Beaver Dam Station, VA (May 9-10, 19864)
Engagement, Ground Squirrel Church/Bridge, South Anna River, and yellow Tavern near Richmond, VA (May 11, 1864)
Engagement, Brook's Church (Richmond Fortifications), VA (May 12, 1864)
Combat, Mechanicsville, VA (May 12, 1864)
Combat, Strawberry Hill, VA (May 12, 1864)
Action, Haxall's Landing, VA (May 18, 1864)
Action, Hanover Court House, VA (May 26, 1864)
Combat, Crump's Creek, VA (May 28, 1864)
Action, Hanovertown, VA (May 28, 1864)
Operations on the line of the Totopotomoy River, VA (May 28-31, 1864)
Battles about Cold Harbor, VA (June 1-12, 1864)
Action, Haw's Shop, VA (June 3, 1864)
Skirmish near Via's House, VA (June 3, 1864)
Action, Long Bridge, VA (June 12, 1864)
Action, Smith's Store neat St. Peter's Church, VA (June 15, 1864)
Skirmish, Ream's Station, Va (June 22, 1864)
Operations against Wilson's Expedition against the south Side and Danville R. R., VA (June 22-July 2, 1864)
Action, Nottoway Court House, VA (June 23, 1864)
Skirmish, Staunton Bridge, VA (June 24, 1864)
Action, Staunton River Bridge (Roanoke River), VA (June 25, 1864)
Skirmishes, Ream's Station, VA (June 30-July 3, 1864)

Petersburg Siege, (June 1864 - April 2, 1865)

Action, Warwick's Swamp, Lee's Mills, Reams Station, VA (July 12, 1864)
Skirmish, Ream's Station, VA (July 22, 1864)
Demonstration on the North side of the James River and Engagements at Deep Bottom, Darbytown, Strawberry Plains, New Market Road (July 27-29)
Engagement, Malvern Hill, VA (July 28, 1864)
Action, Malvern Hill, VA (Aug.14-16, 18964)
Skirmish, White Oak Swamp, Fussell's Mill, VA (Aug. 18, 1864)
Battle, Ream's Station, VA (Aug. 25, 1864)
Skirmish near Richmond, VA (Aug 27, 1864)
Action, Sycamore Church, VA (Sept. 16, 1864)
Action, Arthur's Swamp, VA (Sept. 30-Oct.1, 1864)
Engagement, Boydton Plank Road, VA (Oct. 27-28, 1864)
Operations against the reconnaissance toward Stony Creek, VA (Nov. 7)
Expedition to and Skirmish at Stony Creek Station, VA (Dec. 1, 1864)
Operartions against Warren's Expedition to Hicksford, VA (Dec 7-12)
Skirmish, Bellefield, (December 9-10, 1864)
Battle, Barney's Mills, Hatcher's Run, Armstrong's Mills (Feb.5-7,1865)

Appomattox Campaign (March 8-April 9, 1865)

Engagement, Dinwiddie Courthouse, VA (March 30-31, 1865)
Skirmish, White Oak Road, VA (March 31 - April 1, 1865)
Battle, Five Forks, Va (April 1, 1865)
Engagement, Sutherland Station, Douth Side R.R., VA (April 2, 1865)
Action, Scott's Cross Roads, VA (April 3, 1865)
Namozine Church, (April 3, 1865)
Engagement/Surrender, Appomattox Courthouse, (April 9, 1865)