Commanded by Charles James Munnerlyn; it was organized to protect herds of cattle from Union raiders.

In March 1864, Captain James McKay Sr., petitioned the Confederate government to create the unit.

Confederate President Jefferson Davis, selected Munnerlyn who was commissioned as a Major to lead the Special Cavalry.

[3] Some of the companies were based out of Brooksville, Tampa,[4] Plant City,[5][6] and Fort Meade[7] Captains William B. Hooker, Leroy G. Lesley, John T. Lesley, Francis A. Hendry, and W. B. Henderson were leaders of the Cow Cavalry.

[8] In February 1865 several companies of the battalion operating in the Cedar Key and Gulf Hammock region engaged Federal troops at the Battle of Levyville.