The regiment was organized during September 1862, with nine companies, some of which had previously served in Jackson's Squadron Virginia Cavalry.

The men were recruited primarily from the counties of Greenbrier, Nicholas, Calhoun, Boone, Braxton, Roane, Jackson, Wirt, and Wood in what would become West Virginia, and the Virginia counties of Charlotte, Roanoke, Montgomery, Augusta, Rockbridge and Highland.

The regiment took part in the operations in the Shenandoah Valley, and disbanded in April 1865.

The field officers were Colonels James Cochran and Charles E. Thorburn, Lieutenant Colonels Robert A. Bailey and John A. Gibson, and Majors B. Frank Eakle and George Jackson.

For this action that occurred during an engagement at Nineveh, Virginia, Adams was awarded the Medal of Honor.