It received that name although in April 1863 when it was organized by General John Imboden as he made his way westward toward Beverly in Randolph County, fewer than 700 of the 3,365 men owned a horse.

[2] The Moccasin Rangers had often attacked civilian targets in western Virginia in 1861 and 1862, and were called "bushwhackers.

One leader of the "outlaw faction", Perry Connolley or Conley (1837–1862) died in a skirmish at Welch Glade in Webster County in January 1862; his two brothers Cornelius and James fought for the Union.

Another, George Downs (1820–1899) was captured early in 1862 and convicted of raiding the federal post office at Ripley, Jackson County in 1861, but in November 1862 was exchanged for Union prisoners held in Louisiana.

was captured in Wirt County with 33 of his men on December 15, 1861 and sent to prison in Albany, New York after his conviction for that robbery.