[2] There Lt. John Bell Hood, who had traveled eastward from Richmond upon orders of General Robert E. Lee drilled them in cavalry techniques.

It was also called 2nd Regiment until October 1, 1861, when placed under the command of Col. Robert Johnston (an 1850 West Point graduate who had spent a decade as lieutenant of cavalry), with Lt.

Later the unit was assigned to General Fitzhugh Lee's, then Wickham's, and finally Munford's Brigade, all in the Army of Northern Virginia.

It fought in many noted battles from Williamsburg to Fredericksburg, then was involved in the engagements at Kelly's Ford, Chancellorsville, Brandy Station, Upperville, Gettysburg, Bristoe, Mine Run, The Wilderness, Todd's Tavern, Spotsylvania, Haw's Shop, and Cold Harbor.

Confederate surgeon and Civil War diarist Dr. Richard Eppes initially served with the 3rd Virginia cavalry, before furnishing a substitute to complete his term of service.